THE MICKLETON SOCIETY: The new season opened with a presentation by Maurice Heritage, a volunteer weekend guide at Snowshill Manor. The Manor closed last September for major refurbishment works and is due to re-open for Easter 2005. Because of the nature of this unique collection, for the first time in the National Trust's history a house has been completely emptied, apart from a small number of bulky items such as beds.

Now that the many thousands of items, from bicycles to Samurai armour, have been removed, the internal refurbishment can proceed including special computer-controlled radiators to ensure that temperature and humidity are maintained.