Martin Sirot-Smith – Daily Life in Tudor Times

Tue, Mar 27th 2018 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Martin Sirot-Smith – Daily Life in Tudor Times

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Before Sulgrave I was 22 years in teaching, the last 14 as head of a very creative school in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. I left education because the National Curriculum was going to destroy creativity. Happily I became director of Sulgrave Manor to specifically develop its educational possibilities. I developed a Living History approach with costumed presenters. Now over 11,000 schoolchildren have come to Sulgrave to be costumed as Tudors and spend a day living as Tudors would have done in 1560. Interests include cricket still playing at 72, badminton likewise, walking, climbing, classical music and REAL ALE!!

Sulgrave Manor is a Tudor and Georgian house built by direct ancestors of George Washington, the first President of the United States. Discover how Civil War, financial ruin, and a shipwreck led to Washington’s great-grandfather seeking a fresh start in the New World.

Explore Sulgrave Manor, an accredited museum, which comes to life with costumed interpreters, interactive games and engaging displays. Set in a picturesque village some thirty miles from both Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon, Sulgrave Manor’s compact size, inviting gardens and café serving hot and cold drinks, light lunches and tasty homemade cakes, make it an ideal family destination.

Visit Sulgrave Manor's website.

Vote of thanks given by Rotarian Richard Gage

Martin Sirot-Smith was thanked as his alter ego Laurence Washington, Lord of the Manors of Sulgrave and Stuchbury, appearing in Tudor dress, for a fascinating and entertaining description of life in Tudor times.

He gave horrific statistics of child mortality rates of 60% in their first year, tales of fundamental religious beliefs, dress being determined by the Sumptry Laws, all at a time when peasants lived primarily on bread and gruel, with very little meat, whereas 85% of the diet of the nobility was meat.

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The Rotary Club of Bedford Castle providing support to a local Community Garden Project

Martin Sirot-Smith – Daily Life in Tudor Times

Tue, Mar 27th 2018 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm