WIN FAMILY TICKETS TO GET HANDS ON' AT STOKESAY CASTLE What was life like before we had the convenience of shopping centres, state-funded hospitals and 24-hour availability of pre-prepared food? Visitors to Stokesay Castle this August will find out as they are given a chance to try hands-on activities - 15th century-style! The Advertiser Series has 10 family tickets to give away for events on 15th and 22nd August!

Each Wednesday, from 8 to 22 August, common pursuits of the 15th century will be on offer in a series of hands-on workshops which allow visitors young and old to try their hand at traditional medieval skills, from creating medicinal cures to making sweets!

Medieval expert Vicky Shearman will lead the workshops, which take place inside the shelter of Stokesay Castle's Great Hall. Each week, she will look at a different aspect of medieval life, starting with medical matters on Wednesday 8 August.

Aristocratic treats will be on offer on Wednesday 15 August with demonstrations of medieval food, and an opportunity to make sweet treats using a real medieval indulgence, marzipan!

"Almonds are not native to England, so anyone wanting to treat themselves with marzipan would have to pay a large price to cover importing the nuts, which meant that it was almost entirely the preserve of the richer classes," explains Vicky. "In fact, it was seen as such a status symbol that many would overindulge in the treat as this was seen to be a symbol of wealth."

On Wednesday 22 August, visitors' creative skills will be tested to the limit as Vicky hosts a hands-on art experience. From calligraphy using a traditional quill to the use of 15th century pigments and bindings, the world of art and artistic media will be explored.

TO ENETR SEE THIS WEEK'S LUDLOW & TENBURY WELLS ADVERTISER EDITION DATED 2ND AUGUST.

Each tickets gives two adults and up to three children the chance to experience two of the three events.

For more details, please call Stokesay Castle on 01588 672544 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/stokesay