Here’s some news about a fabulous event taking place at West Stow Anglo Saxon Village during half term week.

Ring Quest has been running for 11 years and, thanks to the success of the Lord of The Rings & Hobbit films, is getting more & more popular. It features many characters from the LOTR and the question on the organisers lips this year is – is our Ork too scary? Have a look at the attached release and image and see what you think – he is pretty convincing!

Orc-at-West-Stow-1

RING QUEST COULD ATTRACT RECORD NUMBERS AFTER SUCCESS OF HOBBIT MOVIES

But organisers of the West Stow event, now in its 11th year, are wondering if the resident Orc is just a little too scary… or perhaps even a little too nice!

This year’s Rinq Quest at West Stow could attract record numbers following the worldwide success of both the second Hobbit movie, The Desolation of Smaug, and the continuing internet popularity of independent LOTRs prequel, Born of Hope.

This annual event will continue the tradition of inviting families to explore West Stow’s authentic and stunning recreation of an Anglo-Saxon village and surrounding Country Park, to solve riddles, collect clues, and ultimately save Middle Earth… and win a prize.

J R R Tolkien, author of the Lord of the Rings, was a professor of Anglo-Saxon language at Oxford University when he wrote of his tales of Middle Earth, with scholars and fans noting the influence of the period throughout his literary masterpieces.

But organisers of the ever-popular event are in a quandary after a worried mum posted last year on the West Stow Facebook page to say that the resident Orc, who will be in attendance each weekend, looked a little too scary!

orcs

He’s nice!,” proclaimed Lance Alexander, St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s TIC & Heritage Operations Manager, who doubles as the West Stow Orc, Guttrott the Unclean. “We were most concerned when someone spotted a picture of him on the internet and said he looked too scary…!

“He might look a little frightening at first sight – but the fact that our Mordor Orc is a friendly chap breaks that illusion because he really is nice when you meet him, we promise!”

Children dressed as Hobbits will get in for free and this year, and along with solving the riddles and collecting the runes, visitors can try on various LOTR character costumes, pose for pictures with life-size cut outs of characters from the movie, including Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, or visit the recently completed Hobbit Hole.

Alan Baxter, Tolkienologist and West Stow’s Lord of the Rings Ranger, will also be on hand to give tours at weekends to explain the Anglo-Saxon influence on The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit series of novels and films.

Alan Baxter explains “J R R Tolkien’s work is heavily influenced by his love of Anglo-Saxon language and mythology. For example, the poem Beowulf is often cited as an influence and much of the language, rune writings and ideas all having links to the early pagan period. 

“LOTR is often seen as lamenting the loss of the countryside and the old ways to make way for people. Tolkien’s work also demonstrates a deep love of nature which of course we have in abundance at West Stow. So here, people really do have a chance to walk directly on Middle Earth and role play scenes from the books and movies to their heart’s content.”

Lance Alexander added: “The second Hobbit movie has been a huge box office hit and we are especially delighted to see the continuing popularity of Born of Hope, which was both inspired by and filmed at West Stow. The critically acclaimed and award-winning Lord of The Rings prequel, made by Cambridge-based Actors at Work, was released in 2009 and has so far attracted over 26 million views on Youtube alone, in addition to the film’s website and at screenings. People can visit the hut in which The Dunedain Ranger, Aragorn, was born in the movie, for instance.”

“All great news for West Stow and a tribute to everyone who worked so hard to create our Anglo-Saxon village and we look forward to seeing as many people dressed in costume!”

Link to see how to make a Hobbit costume:  (how to make a costume)

 hobbits

This year’s RingQuest (15 Feb – to 23 Feb) will include:

• Try on LOTRs themed outfits including Orcs and Hobbits.

• Visit the Hobbit Hole or pose alongside the standees for LOTR selfies and movie clips.

• Orc shield making Wednesday (19 Feb) – are you of the white hand or the red eye?

• Meet Guttrott the Unclean- the FRIENDLY Mordor Orc (weekends between 11am-3pm)

• LOTR themed tours with the Dunedain Ranger at weekends (Feb 15/16, 22/23)

 

About West Stow 

With extensive indoor galleries and a stunning recreation of an Anglo-Saxon village, West Stow is a fascinating and enjoyable day out for all the family, come rain or shine. Inside West Stow’s remarkable wooden homes the sights and the smells of a past world make the centuries fall away. From the first humans to the Romans, Vikings and more… gems from digs across West Suffolk plus insights into the cutting edge of ‘experimental archaeology’ as investigations continue at West Stow.

Watch a film, dress up as an Anglo-Saxon or say hello to the rare breed pigs and chickens.

West Stow Country Park (surrounding the Anglo-Saxon Village) consists of 52 hectares of woods, heath lands and rivers, plus country trails and bird hides. Adventure Playground too!

 

About RingQuest

Ring Quest! A family adventure trail

West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village

15 Feb – to 23 Feb 2014

Visit the Hobbit hole and meet characters from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, with new clues and runes in the family challenge to save Middle Earth! Your family could win the big prize at the end of the week! See www.westsuffolkdiary.co.uk for details

 

ALSO: Medieval Pot Luck

Moyse’s Hall

15 Feb – to 23 Feb 2014

To celebrate the re-opening of the Medieval Gallery, Moyse’s Hall offer the chance to discover your role in 1430s Bury St Edmunds through this popular game.  Also living historians demonstrate religious and secular aspects of the Middle Ages.

 

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