500 people flock to see firearms display at Rufford Old Hall

Mar 4 2010 by Michael Byrne, Ormskirk Advertiser

THE GUNS came out at Rufford Old Hall – around 500 people flocking to see the historic collection of firearms.

The weapons are all part of a small but nationally important collection of firearms dating from the 1590s to the middle of the 19th century.

They were on display for the hall’s opening weekend celebrations.

There was also a Civil War re-enactment group from North Wales called the Sir John Owens regiment of the Sealed Knot dressed up as Royalist soldiers who spoke to visitors during the weekend.

Charles Singleton, Rufford’s House Manager explains: “On the opening weekend of the new season, we gave visitors a chance to see how we look after the many precious objects in our collections here at Rufford.

“People were able to see the conservation team at work, and also our firearms collection, which isn’t usually on display.

“The rarest object in the collection is a late 15th century linen padded jacket lined with metal plates which would have been worn by a soldier fighting in the Wars of the Roses.

“We were very pleased with how the weekend went. We were not expecting to have so many visitors as this was such an early opening.

“People were very interested in the guns and also enjoyed speaking to the re-enactment group.”

The hall re-opens for the summer on March 13 and will be open until October 31.