Following the hugely successful Marches of Time 2025
we’re working hard on 2026 in the background.
Watch this space …
The 3rd annual weekend of History themed talks in the beautiful settings of Historic Marches Country Houses was a wonderful day out for all the family at Stokesay Court - what will 2026 bring?
History came to life at Stokesay Court, with something for everyone in the setting of this wonderful Marches family home.
People strolled & picnicked in the gardens with this magnificent house as the backdrop, they explored the wider grounds, and were entertained by a variety of interesting speakers in the Great Hall.
Plus there was an epic Treasure Hunt in the grounds, based on characters from Piers Torday’s Book.
Re-enactors in period dress entertained us, there were wonderful falconry displays for all enjoy, and attendees tucked in to home-cooked food, barista coffee & local ice cream … a perfect summer’s day out.
The Line up for 2025 was:
Piers Torday, is a bestselling and award-winning writer for children, best known for The Last Wild series (Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize) and his stage adaption of John Masefield’s The Box of Delights (RSC/Wilton’s Music Hall).
His latest book, Midnight Treasure, explores his Transylvanian heritage and was a Times Children’s Book of the Year 2024
Katherine Carter, is a Curator and Historian who has managed the house and collections at Chartwell, Winston Churchill’s country home, for more than a decade.
Her book Churchill’s Citadel: Chartwell and the Gatherings Before the Storm (Yale University Press) has received rave national and international reviews as “a stimulating and enjoyable work that shows us interwar politics from an unfamiliar angle” - Literary Review
Christopher Pullin, was Chancellor of Hereford Cathedral from 2008 until 2022, where his responsibilities included oversight of the magnificent library and archives - including one of the best surviving copies of the 1217 Magna Carta - as well as the cathedral’s educational work.
In 2014, 2015 & 2017 he accompanied the cathedral’s Magna Carta to cities around the world, introducing its history and significance to audiences from Houston to Beijing.
Then there was the Treasure Hunt!
The search was on to find the characters from Piers Torday’s books hiding in the grounds, and come up with the secret word with ‘treasure’ to be won.
Meet our Founding Patron:
Marches of Time are delighted to announce their Founding Patron:
Fiona Hodgson, Baroness Hodgson of Abinger.
Fiona’s areas of interest include International Women's Issues, Animal Welfare, Foreign Affairs and Gender & Equality.
A proud resident of The Marches, Fiona is keen to support Arts and History in the area and help introduce this oft overlooked part of the country to a wider audience. By becoming our first Patron Fiona hopes to increase the public awareness of the varied things that The Marches has to offer to people of all ages and backgrounds.
“I am so enthusiastic to support Marches of Time which is such an exciting initiative. It will bring the rich history of the area alive and introduce us all to many fascinating topics and people who contribute so much to the area. I hope you will all offer your support too by attending and inviting others!”
With thanks to Our Sponsors:
Stokesay Court, Craven Arms, SY7 9BD
“The most grandiloquent Victorian mansion in the county” - John Newman, Pevsner’s Buildings of England
Stokesay Court and Pitchford Hall are proud to be members of Historic Houses
If you want to join our mailing list please contact us:
marchesoftime@gmail.com