If you go down in the woods today you’re sure of a big surprise.
A task force of teddy bears has been formed to help support the collections at Muncaster Castle.
The team of 80 teddy bears at the site have been working hard behind the scenes to care for the many historical artefacts and are now in need of a helping hand.
For a one-time donation, visitors can be welcomed into the team and help the bears raise funds for conservation work inside the castle. Members will receive a certificate, information card and a coveted team badge.
The bears and curators at the castle are also calling for the help of the public to take part in the Adopt an
Object scheme, which will help them continue the important work within the castle, assisting them to make parts of the collection more accessible and to ensure the treasures are protected.
During the extended closed period when visitors have not been able to visit the castle, the bears have been helping the curators with some of the important conservation work behind the scenes.
The curators explained to Tom Ted (the leader of the bears) that they were going to start an Adopt an Object Scheme at the castle to help raise funds to be able to send certain items in the collection for specialist conservation work.
This gave Tom Ted an idea.
He called a meeting to arrange a Teddy Bear Team, to run alongside the Adopt an Object Scheme. The other bears were very excited and were soon busy planning how they could help.
Tom Ted said: “We love exploring all the different rooms and seeing all of the old furniture, textiles and ornaments. We are always careful not to break anything when we are playing in the posh rooms. Some items that are really really old need some special care and attention from conservation experts – who have more than fluff for brains.
“Also, the castle curators have been telling us all about the big projects that are required here to keep the castle safe for hundreds more years to come.”
They are also raising funds to help with the repairs to the Drawing Room wall, structural work to the North Tower Courtyard and outbuildings and the renovation of attic rooms.