Category: Uncategorized

 

Thursday – Tai Chi

Painshill Director, Paul Griffiths continues his Painshill’s Wellbeing Week challenge with a Tai Chi class with Sue Woodd

What exactly is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi was described form of martial art where you ‘shadow box’ yourself allowing you to release negative energy,  stress and tension

What are the benefits of practicing Tai Chi?

Working all the body and allowing the stresses of everyday life to escape

Would you try Tai Chi again?

Definitely- it was an amazing session

What is it about the landscape that lends itself to promoting Wellbeing classes?

You get an amazing feeling of being at one with nature

Find out more about Sue at suewoodd.com

 

 

Wednesday – Self-Care Yoga in the landscape

Painshill Director, Paul Griffiths joined a yoga session out in the Painshill landscape as part of Painshill’s Wellbeing Week.

Have you tried yoga before?

Never!  Always been very nervous I am not flexible enough for it

What did you think of the self-care session with Luma?

It was fabulous, Luma obviously runs sessions at Painshill every week and I have always be tempted to try it

What do you think yoga could help you with?

It was great to stretch out so many muscles and was very relaxing

How did the outside setting add to the experience?

It was a stunning setting, as Yoga is so much about feeling grounded with the earth being outside on the grass made it a memorable experience

Find out more about Luma Yoga on and look out for her regular classes at Painshill.

 

 

 

Tuesday – Mindfulness Taster Session

Painshill Director, Paul Griffiths joined Yvette Jane for a Mindfulness Taster Session as part of Painshill’s Wellbeing Week.

Have you had tried mindfulness before?

No, not at all.  I have heard a lot about it especially in the weekend newspapers!

What did you think of the taster session?

It was a super session, I really enjoyed it. Yvette has a very calming manner and took us through the exercises with great skill.

What do you feel mindfulness can help with?

Allowing you to take time out to focus on yourself, to make you aware of yourself. Simple things like breathing well can really reduce stress.

Are there any techniques that you will take forward into your daily life?

I hope so, I certainly started to relax during the sessions, so much so I was starting to drop into sleep!  Something Yvette assured me is perfectly normal!

 

Find out more about Mindfulness on Yvette’s website and look out for more classes at Painshill in the future!

 

 

Covering the interior of the Temple of Bacchus in a facade wrap

The Painshill team, along with Project Print Management, have been working hard in the last few weeks on the interior of the Temple of Bacchus!

Hamilton’s Temple of Bacchus was much acclaimed for its beauty and architectural merit. It was the only classical building in England praised by Thomas Jefferson during his visit to these shores in 1786.

The restoration of the exterior was started in the autumn of 2016 and was completed in March 2019.

Until we raise sufficient funds to restore the interior properly we have been installing a number of displays to show visitors how this amazing building would have appeared to Charles Hamilton and his invited guests during the 18^th Century.

Firstly, we wrapped the interior in fabric, starting with the ceiling.

 

The original ceiling was of ornate plasterwork which we believe was designed by Robert Adam. It was described in 1795 by one visitor as “a simple neat design a wreath ornamented with four Eagles & grapes & vine leaves”.

   

 

Busts of Caesars and Statues

Secondly, we installed temporary representations of Hamilton artefacts.

Four statues of Mercury, Venus de Marina, Apollo of Belvedere and Venus de Medici stood in the four niches to the South.

    

 

The walls once again display Hamilton’s 12 busts of Roman emperors collected by him on one of his “Grand Tours”.

     

Finally, we will place panels over the floor to complete the room and ensure all guests can get a feel for how it would have looked.

 

When we restore the Temple fully we will be plastering the walls and the ornate ceiling. We will commission the recreation of the busts and the exterior statues and reinstate them. We will also return the statue of Bacchus to his Temple (he currently stands outside of the shop).

We are in the process of fundraising for the interior – please help if you can by donating online today.

We very much hope that you will come and see the Temple soon! Visit us this summer and see our progress for yourself.

 

Essential pesticide spraying will take place at Painshill during June & July to manage Oak Processionary Moth activity (a non-native invasive insect).

This time of year when the caterpillars move about and may be found low on the trunk and branches of oak trees (where they may also form webbed nests). The hairs of the caterpillars carry a toxin which can cause skin rashes, eye irritation and respiratory problems to humans and animals.

If you come across the caterpillars or their webbed nests please do not touch them and keep children and animals away.

Report any sightings to the Visitor Manager: 01932 868 113

Additional information can be found on the Forestry Commission’s website