Sweet treats for Easter pilgrims to Rievaulx Abbey

Good Friday 2 April and Friday 16 April

When pilgrims travelled to Rievaulx Abbey in its heyday, they would usually leave with a small token or badge to mark their visit, but visitors on Good Friday (2 April) will go home with an altogether more tasty treat as the site hosts a Belgian chocolate workshop!

On Friday 2 April and Friday 16 April, from 11.00am to 2.00pm, Rievaulx’s old schoolroom will be transformed into a chocolate studio, with chocolatière Lindsay Robson teaching visitors young and old how to make lollies – shaped like medieval monks - from premium quality Belgian chocolate.

“Traditionally, the Cistercian monks at Rievaulx would have worn predominantly white robes, so we’ll have some white chocolate on hand, but if people prefer delicious milk or plain chocolate, they will be able to make their delicious lollies out of the chocolate of their choice,” comments regional marketing manager, Nicola Bexon.

Lindsay will be hosting groups of around 20 chocolate fans at a time, and each workshop will take around 30 minutes. There is no additional fee to take part in the workshops, but participants must hold a valid ticket for the relevant day for Rievaulx Abbey.

The chocolate workshop is the first in a series of events marking the 900th anniversary of the birth of Aelred, later to become St. Aelred of Rievaulx. Aelred was the abbot of Rievaulx from 1147 until his death in 1167.

Rievaulx Abbey is open daily from 1 April 2010 from 10.00am to 6.00pm. Admission prices are £5.30 for adults, £4.50 for concessions or £2.70 for children, and English Heritage members get in free. For further information on Rievaulx Abbey, or details of the event planned for the 2010 season, please call Rievaulx Abbey on 01439 798228 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/rievaulxabbey

 ENDS

For further media information,
please contact: Jay Commins PRO – English Heritage
Tel: 0113 251 5698
Mob: 07810 546567
Email: jay@fim.org.uk