LOCALS and holidaymakers alike enjoyed stepping back in time and becoming Tudors for a day in the Gildhouse recently.

They spent the morning dressed as peasants, baking and brewing with Mistress Jennifer and Mistress Sandy as the people of Poundstock would have done 500 years' ago in preparation for a church fund raising feast.

In the churchyard, they also learnt from Master Tim the art of cob making, an important skill needed to maintain the building, and also how the building was erected in Tudor times.

Whilst all this was going on, in what had been the Tudor kitchen on the lower floor of the building, upstairs in the feasting, hall food was being prepared for lunch. This proved to be most welcome after the busy morning everyone had had and was accompanied by music of the period and the aroma of their bread baking.

Suitably refreshed, the would-be Tudors then donned a new set of costumes, that of the wealthy of the time and learnt about the music, dance and fashion of the Tudors from Sir Christopher de Clovell.

The hall filled with laughter as the new Tudors struggled and mastered the steps of several dances including the daring La Volta, where the ladies are lifted into the air by their partners and daringly showed an ankle!

The afternoon finished with dancing The Clog Brawl in the churchyard by the Gildhouse in the afternoon sunshine accompanied by the violin of Sir Nicholas, a moment surely to be seen 500 years' ago.

Exhausted but happy, our visitors left clutching their warm bread plates and bottle of ginger beer as a reminder of their eventful day. Some had arrived not sure of what lay ahead but left enthused and much more aware of what life had been like in the Gildhouse so long ago.

Tudor days are also part of an on going educational programme for local schools as well as family days in the school holidays, so look out for them in the local press. If you wish to book your school in phone 01288 361356 but be quick as days available will be limited.