HARTLEBURY CASTLE: On January 30 a magical evening to celebrate Candlemas was hosted by Alison Brimelow, the vice president of the Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust. On arrival the guests were given a glass of English cider or apple juice and then they went into the Great Hall which was lit by candles, long tables had been decorated with evergreen branches and fruit and sprigs of Rosemary and Lavender. A medieval feast was served and the guests were entertained with medieval music and song by Sue Pope's group 'The Merrie Noyse. Every ticket had been sold and everyone felt that they had been as well entertained as Queen Elizabeth the first had been when she came to a banquet at the Castle in 1575. The money raised will go to the Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust as they take on the responsibility of running this beautiful place.