Castle rewarded for bringing history to life (From Western Telegraph)

Castle rewarded for bringing history to life

CAREW CASTLE and Tidal Mills unique role in providing a quality education experience for school parties has been recognised with a top heritage education award.

The castle and the nearby mill - leased and managed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority - have been given a Full Sandford Award, the highest category available from the Heritage Education Trust.

A full award recognises the outstanding contribution being made to heritage education through educational services and facilities and which have to meet a level of excellence in five areas.

In their citation the award judges noted that increasing numbers of school parties were attracted to a medieval castle set in countryside almost unchanged in 500 years.

Parties enjoy interactive experiences which develop their understanding of Tudor times and of the last great medieval tournament held in Wales in 1507, they added.

The judges said that the use of period costumes helped the children enter into events of another time and they praised the enthusiastic staff for making learning history satisfying and fun.

Recently, Carew site manager, Mike Candler, and education assistant Helen Davies were at the Tower of London for the presentation of the Full Sandford Awards.

The presentation was made by Rosalind Savill, director of the Wallace Collection, who was deputising for Baroness Blackstone, the Minister of State for the Arts.

Mike Candler said: All of the Carew team are delighted with this. Sandford Awards are prestigious and Carew is one of only two projects in Wales to have met their standards this year, so this is very special.

Mike Candler is presented with the Full Sandford Award by Rosalind Savill, director of the Wallace Collection.