tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688435909641949751.post4885057456834055692..comments2023-06-11T07:14:20.107-07:00Comments on Shehani Kay: Chillin' in ChilhamShehanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12546831436363547519noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688435909641949751.post-41679535606833638922010-09-09T15:31:47.667-07:002010-09-09T15:31:47.667-07:00HI Sarah,
Thanks for commenting. Thanks for letti...HI Sarah,<br /><br />Thanks for commenting. Thanks for letting me know that Mr Wheeler didn't close the castle grounds to the public. You might be right, he wasn't the one to close it but he has kept it mostly closed. As I understand it, once he and his wife bought the castle, they had major renovations done, which finished in 2004. Since then they have indeed had "Garden Openings" but these tend to be once a month on a Tuesday between 10am and 3pm - not exactly prime tourist days. Seems not to be conducive for the locals to view it either since they typically work during those hours. I noted that they do have private tours and corporate functions. These corporate functions however don't help the local economy as the wine and food are all in house or in castle rather, since they advertise a fully stocked wine cellar and that the Wheeler's personal chef is available to create a menu. As for private garden tours, since they are for small groups and need special arrangement, again I don't see how this really helps the local economy much. Perhaps the Wheelers do contribute in other ways (??), but if you visited Chilham in the early 90s and visited Chilham in 2010, I suspect you'd notice how quiet it is now without the coach loads of tourists visiting the castle grounds. The impact of the castle garden closure is quite significant and I think if you spoke to some of the locals in the village, they'd give you a earful about it! In any case, my point is that keeping the gates closed to a famous castle ground thereby cutting off a potential ample supply of tourist visitors to the village, is a great and sad pity! That's all. But by all means, it is their prerogative, they do own the place after all.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm glad you like my photos! :) And yes, they are for sale! :)Shehanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12546831436363547519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688435909641949751.post-41384475446894894392010-09-09T09:44:50.357-07:002010-09-09T09:44:50.357-07:00Wonderful photos. I love this village and know it ...Wonderful photos. I love this village and know it well. Always good to see some new photos taken from a different perspective. Interesting though that the houses on the square are taken from this type of angle because there are always so many cars parked here that you can never get a clear view of them (pity they can't park 50 yards away in the free car park!). <br /><br />Just one point though - it wasn't Mr Wheeler that closed the castle, it was the previous owner, and Mr & Mrs Wheeler have taken a lot of steps to 're-opening' it by holding open garden days and giving guided tours of the house. (It is after all their private home). They also support the village in many other ways. (And no, I'm not a friend of theirs! I just happen to have been involved with a few local community initiatives).<br /><br />Good to know that you sell your photos. I'll let the tourism group know!<br /><br />SarahAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17349993899701821052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688435909641949751.post-38590290048176657512010-09-07T13:30:05.865-07:002010-09-07T13:30:05.865-07:00Thanks so much Sarah. It was indeed magical and be...Thanks so much Sarah. It was indeed magical and beautiful! xxShehanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12546831436363547519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688435909641949751.post-20041232950246391952010-09-07T12:33:00.012-07:002010-09-07T12:33:00.012-07:00How beautiful! Sounds like a magical place. These ...How beautiful! Sounds like a magical place. These photos of yours are gorgeous!{Sarah}http://www.vieboheme.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.com