By Freya….
It was a sunny Bank Holiday weekend and I was excited to be working at Crich Tramway Museum for their Magical May event. I knew little about the popular Derbyshire tourist destination prior to that day, other than being told I had been when I was younger. The museum has links back to George Stephenson, and the facility offers vintage trams in a village serging with shops and even a working pub!
I arrived at 10.30am with my colleague Kate who drove us there and we enjoyed the views on the way. Despite promising to not be very warm, it turned out to be a pleasant day. The Museum is set on top of a hill near the Crich war memorial in Matlock. It offers outstanding views of the local countryside and is within easy reach of other well-known villages and tourist destinations within The Peaks.
The brief for the job was that we were to be Fairies in a Fairy village; we spent the day working outside in the magical forest and were grateful to have the weather on our side. We helped the visiting children to write down their wishes on pieces of card which they hung on the surrounding trees, with hopes that the Fairies would read their wishes & make them come true. I was almost tempted to make a wish myself!
There were a variety of wishes ranging from becoming a ‘yoonycorn’ through to wishing for a Billion dollars (I would have se>led for a Magnum ice cream!) We helped out the Mums and Dads by re-setting the children’s expectations for some of the more extravagant wishes. We also took photos with the children so that the memories could last forever.
The children were excited to meet Bluebell the Fairy Queen played by Katie and Blossom played by me. I loved my bright pink glittery dress complete with magical fairy wand, flower crown and sparkly wings – I really felt like a true fairy princess.
It was a busy day being on our feet all the time, so Katie & I took it in turns to sit on the Fairy Queen throne. Despite us meeting lots and lots of children that day the fairy village was spacious so there was room and time for everyone to enjoy themselves without feeling rushed or squashed.
It was an amazing day and I would highly recommend a visit. I can’t wait to go back with my family when I’m not working so that I can really experience everything that Crich has to offer, for example riding the old tramlines, the woodland walks and indoor and outdoor play areas. There really is something for everyone come rain or shine.
Freya xx
