The life of a hotelier is certainly interesting and varied.  Yesterday we became a mini production team when we visited the ever-charming Nicholas Merchant at his home near Harrogate for a short interview.  Luckily we were joined by the talented Polly Baldwin (www.dynamicpictures.co.uk) who is skilled at not only photography, but also videography, and she was able to create a great setting for our subject.

The concept behind our little video is to let people know more about the Short Break for Collectors that we hold at Rothay Manor.  Nicholas Merchant, the course tutor, is an expert in his field and leads people into a fascinating journey into the history of his subject matters.  Each holiday is unique, with subjects as varied as the Slave Trade in Whitehaven to Book-Binding.  It is also a good chance to discover lesser-known places in the Lake District: it’s not just fells and lakes, but country houses and museums steeped in history.  The holiday gives you the opportunity to meet like-minded people, and to learn a little more about subjects of interest so you will not only leave feeling revived but also more enriched from the experience.

Nicholas has an incredible way of bringing the history of an item to life, and we were transported back to the Grand Tour, and the Golden Age of the 18th Century.  In the short time that we were with him we learnt about Ginger pots and Tea Caddies, which were just a few of the eclectic items on display in his home.  We were expecting to just do a brief interview, but left feeling inspired to learn more about our shared past and the fascinating items that have been handed down through history.

Our next Short Break for Collectors will be held on the 4th November 2018.