Sometimes they say you should be careful what you wish for because when you get it you find that is isn't what you wanted at all. But I say wish away, wish on a star, a rainbow and at every wishing well you find. One simple wish for a night of grown up decadence in a castle came true thanks to the National Trust and it was all I'd hoped for (minus a couple of braziers as it was quite nippy after dark!) with not one ounce of disappointment or regret.
Many moons ago I visited Bodiam Castle and saw instantly its potential for a party venue, ever since each and every visit has seen me embellish the dream, polishing my plan to a fine sheen. It was always a lottery win away...
Then I won - not the lottery but the Great British Day Out competition run by the National Trust. As soon as I saw it on facebook I knew exactly what I would enter; my Bodiam Ball. It seemed a long shot, but I put the idea out there and let the votes fall where they may. I'll be forever grateful that the votes landed my idea in the top 20 that went before the judges. And I still can't believe my luck that the judges selected Bodiam Ball as the winner.
What a night they delivered! I truly felt like a queen from the moment we set foot on the path round the moat. Big tall hubby and I led our friends towards the castle entrance, where an owl and a falcon waited (on the arms of keepers) to lead us up the bridge over the moat. As we approached the castle doors they magically swung open to reveal masked waiters bearing trays of delicious fizz. That was the moment the dream felt like it was becoming a reality; that unique privilege of the castle opening up after hours just for me. The bird of prey demonstration really felt right within the 600 year old walls and who knew that a vulture was so cute? Blue eyes and a blush! But it was Winston the owl that stole everyone's hearts and he was as light as a feather (no pun intended) as he landed on my leather gloved arm. It isn't every Wednesday night a girl gets to stroke an owl.
Positioning the marquee, the location for our scrumptious three course meal, facing the castle was genius as we got to watch the sun sink behind its turrets. As dusk faded torches burst into flame around the moat, sending flickering light up the ancient walls. George, who has managed Bodiam for many years regaled us with tales of what had gone on in years gone by and it turns out the castle was always intended to be a place of fun and making merry. So that is what we did.
Heading back to the castle, mist hovered as if by request over the torch lit moat and it was truly a magical sight. But to be fair Bodiam is a magical castle at any time of day and you don't need to host a ball there to experience it. Inside The Zoltans were already playing their own take on jazz/swing classics and the up lit walls danced to their tune; it was impossible not to join in and so the twenty of us boogied on the lawn that had once been the centre of the castle with the stars smiling down from above. All too soon it seemed the evening was over and it was like leaving a wonderful friend to walk away from the glowing castle knowing that I'd never again get to see it like that.
But you know what, I can see it anytime and that makes the end of the ball auf weidersehen and not goodbye. That is the joy of the National Trust properties, all that enchanting history is there anytime for anyone to enjoy. Future visits might see me tucking into a picnic basket rather than a top notch meal but what's the difference if it's shared with friends? Good times are found in good locations with good friends and the essence of Bodiam Ball will be revisited many times over as we all enjoy our annual membership at the wonderful properties the National Trust ( http://www.nationaltrust.org) preserve, from Bodiam to Standen, Nymans to Petworth.
Let the good time roll...
Many moons ago I visited Bodiam Castle and saw instantly its potential for a party venue, ever since each and every visit has seen me embellish the dream, polishing my plan to a fine sheen. It was always a lottery win away...
Then I won - not the lottery but the Great British Day Out competition run by the National Trust. As soon as I saw it on facebook I knew exactly what I would enter; my Bodiam Ball. It seemed a long shot, but I put the idea out there and let the votes fall where they may. I'll be forever grateful that the votes landed my idea in the top 20 that went before the judges. And I still can't believe my luck that the judges selected Bodiam Ball as the winner.
What a night they delivered! I truly felt like a queen from the moment we set foot on the path round the moat. Big tall hubby and I led our friends towards the castle entrance, where an owl and a falcon waited (on the arms of keepers) to lead us up the bridge over the moat. As we approached the castle doors they magically swung open to reveal masked waiters bearing trays of delicious fizz. That was the moment the dream felt like it was becoming a reality; that unique privilege of the castle opening up after hours just for me. The bird of prey demonstration really felt right within the 600 year old walls and who knew that a vulture was so cute? Blue eyes and a blush! But it was Winston the owl that stole everyone's hearts and he was as light as a feather (no pun intended) as he landed on my leather gloved arm. It isn't every Wednesday night a girl gets to stroke an owl.
Positioning the marquee, the location for our scrumptious three course meal, facing the castle was genius as we got to watch the sun sink behind its turrets. As dusk faded torches burst into flame around the moat, sending flickering light up the ancient walls. George, who has managed Bodiam for many years regaled us with tales of what had gone on in years gone by and it turns out the castle was always intended to be a place of fun and making merry. So that is what we did.
Heading back to the castle, mist hovered as if by request over the torch lit moat and it was truly a magical sight. But to be fair Bodiam is a magical castle at any time of day and you don't need to host a ball there to experience it. Inside The Zoltans were already playing their own take on jazz/swing classics and the up lit walls danced to their tune; it was impossible not to join in and so the twenty of us boogied on the lawn that had once been the centre of the castle with the stars smiling down from above. All too soon it seemed the evening was over and it was like leaving a wonderful friend to walk away from the glowing castle knowing that I'd never again get to see it like that.
But you know what, I can see it anytime and that makes the end of the ball auf weidersehen and not goodbye. That is the joy of the National Trust properties, all that enchanting history is there anytime for anyone to enjoy. Future visits might see me tucking into a picnic basket rather than a top notch meal but what's the difference if it's shared with friends? Good times are found in good locations with good friends and the essence of Bodiam Ball will be revisited many times over as we all enjoy our annual membership at the wonderful properties the National Trust ( http://www.nationaltrust.org) preserve, from Bodiam to Standen, Nymans to Petworth.
