From the BBC Website, 16th March 2005

Music heard again after 400 years

Music written especially for the chapel at a north Wales castle will be performed for the first time in nearly 400 years on Wednesday (16th March).
The 17th Century pieces lay undiscovered in the library of Chirk Castle until 1969 when they were sold at auction to an anonymous bidder.
It has taken experts at the University of Wales in Bangor five years to transcribe and edit the collection.
The music will be sung at chapel concert by the university's choir.
The concert will include works by William Deane, who was the organist at Wrexham parish church.
The collection also includes music by other composers for weddings, funerals and special events.
Kenneth Anthonisz from the National Trust said all the music has been written between 1550 and 1630.
"Quite a lot of the music pieces were written by people before they were well known," he said.
The scores include a Te Deum and Benedictus by Elizabethan composer John Mundy, who was organist at St George's Chapel, Windsor.
The 13th Century castle has been owned by the Myddelton family since 1595, but the current members decided to move to a private home to raise their children.
Built as a Marcher fortress during the reign of Edward I, it is run by the National Trust and attracts about 80,000 visitors each year.

See http://www.castlewales.com/chirk.html for details.

Also http://www.chirk.com/castle.html

From the BBC Website, 22nd September 2005

Missing Mars statue sparks hunt

Historians have appealed for help in solving the decades-old mystery of a missing one-tonne lead statue at a castle in north Wales.

Mars, the Roman God of war, used to guard the entrance of Chirk Castle but disappeared sometime after 1911.

He stood with counterpart, Hercules, for 50 years until they were separated.
Hercules was found in a nearby wood in 1983 and brought back to the castle by helicopter. Experts have now renewed the hunt for the 12ft tall Mars.

Historian Nigel Davies said: "When you think of the sheer size of it and the weight, and that it has gone for a walk without anyone noticing. But this is within living memory so someone may know something."

Mr Davies said it was possible the statue of the god of war was used to help in another confrontation - as scrap metal in World War I or II.

"But then why take one (statue) and not the other? If by some miracle it was found, it would be absolutely fantastic."

The appeal to the public is being made as part of Chirk's Castle at War events. Visitors to the National Trust property will be told the statues were first erected almost 300 years ago.

Mars and Hercules were copies of classical statues from Greece and Rome. They were removed in 1770 after standing next to each for half a century.

Statues separated

The steward at the time recorded: "Hercules and Mars driven out of their Court and turned Back to Back... they have been very near neighbours to each other upwards of 50 years, and have not in all that time had an angry word with one another, a rare instance of friendship indeed."

Hercules, which was found in 1983, can be seen in the lime avenue to the east of the castle.

Chirk Castle property manager Emma Hegarty said: "Mars was taken a reasonable distance from the castle and put on a plinth in what became known as, and still is, Mars Wood."

Mrs Hegarty said Mars was still there in 1911 but there was no other record of him until 1960, where it is stated, he was missing.

The only remnants which exist of Mars are the original 1770 plinth and a rubbing of an engraving.

"We are appealing to anybody for any information they can give us on the whereabouts or fate of Mars," said Mrs Hegarty.

From the Shropshire Star, 18th April 2006

Castle’s treasures are saved

Historic treasures at Chirk Castle have been saved after the Welsh Assembly agreed they should be kept for the nation. The collection of six portraits and furnishings were offered to the assembly by the Myddleton family. The assets to the value of £176,000 include furniture, dinnerware, paintings, vases and mirrors which will remain on show at the 700-year-old Marches Castle.

There were fears they would have to be sold. But this week it was revealed that the Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport has agreed to accept the “collection of chattels” on condition they remain in Chirk Castle under the care of the National Trust charity.

Local Welsh Assembly member, Karen Sinclair, said: “I’m delighted that these important artefacts are still to be shown to the public at their rightful home in Chirk Castle. People can continue to enjoy them at this superb attraction and that can only be a good thing.”

From the BBC Website, 29th April 2006

Tax deal helps save 'treasures'

Artefacts worth more than £170,000 will remain at a 700-year-old castle following a deal over inheritance tax.

Visitors to Chirk Castle near Wrexham will be able to see valuable historic treasures. Some 20 artefacts were offered in lieu of inheritance tax by the Myddleton family, who lived in the castle for generations.

There had been fears that the paintings, furniture and vases and others might have to be sold privately. But they will stay at the castle, provided they remain under the care of the National Trust.

"We are delighted by the announcement that these important artefacts are preserved, together in their original context for ever, for everyone," said Emma Hegarty, property manager at Chirk Castle. "They could easily have been sold and gone overseas."

The secured items include a portrait of Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland (1690), and a knife and fork with figures of a man and a woman carved in the handles.

Culture Minister Alun Pugh said: "These are important pieces which have been in the Myddleton family for a long time and I'm pleased they will remain at Chirk Castle for the enjoyment of all the visitors to this beautiful site."

Under the National Heritage Act 1980, property of national and historic interest can be accepted instead of payment of inheritance tax. The National Trust owns and runs the fortress which was built in the late 13th Century by the justice of North Wales for Edward I.

Clwyd South AM Karen Sinclair said: "I'm delighted that these important artefacts will still to be shown to the public in north-east Wales, at their rightful home in Chirk Castle. People can continue to enjoy them at this superb attraction and that can only be a good thing. They have been there for generations and to have seen them leave, possibly overseas, would have been a catastrophe. If they had gone, they would certainly never have returned. As well as the historic importance, having these assets still at Chirk Castle makes it more attractive as a tourist destination and this in turn helps to boost the local economy."

A happy outcome for all