Hello
Robin et al,
Peter
is I think right, it does depend on an environmental health officer's check of
the conditions of food preparation and it is stringent (the National Trust has
run Tudor food days at Sutton House in Hackney, among many other historic
houses, and so has had to jump through these hoops
periodically. You could try the education dept at Queen Anne's Gate
for their most recent views). The difficulty is always in balancing
the desire to use authentic methods and technology against modern hygiene
requirements.
One of
my clients has used a loophole which says that the food is prepared for
demonstration purposes only and is not for consumption, but try telling that to
a group of eight year olds with the whiff of hot bread on the
air!
The
most expert person I know on historic food preparation is Marc Meltonville, who
can be contacted via Wycombe Museum (01494 421895).
On the
singing front, Richard York, an historic music specialist, could advise you
I am sure. His e-mail address is [log in to unmask] and
his phone number 01604 639581.
Hope
this helps. Have a good weekend, all.
Verity
Walker
Director
INTERPRETaction
14
Sunnybank
Marlow
Bucks
SL7 3BL
01628
478076
No this isn't a
Friday afternooner . . .
I'm
currently working with Torquay Museum where their 19th century 'Devon
Farmhouse Collection' will shortly be opening after an HLF-funded
re-display. Two interpretive ideas are exercising my brain and I
wondered if anyone has any advice or experience which might
help:
1. There will
be a workspace where cooking demonstrations / tasting etc. are planned.
Where can I find the health and safety guidelines about the extent to which
the public can be involved in this, and what can/can't the demonstrator
do? I beleive that such events have been halted in most U.S. live
interpretation centres (e.g. Plimoth Plantation) due to H/S
restrictions. What about the U.K.?
2. Folksinging is
less hazardous (to some . . ). Here it's authenticity I'm after.
Amongst the re-enactment groups, are there any that do folk events
with 'authentic' instruments? We have a few Devon songs as part of the
collection, but would need a wider range to lay on a formal event and build up
a body of experience for regular performances.
Many
thanks
Robin Clutterbuck
White Rook Projects
The Castle
Seymour Road
Newton Abbot
Devon TQ12 2PU
U.K.
(0) 1626 333144
