10.30-11.45 “Market Day” under the Butterwalk

12.45-14.00 “It takes all sorts” in Totnes Museum courtyard

15.00-16.15 “Gossip in the Garden” at Leechwell Garden

The Tudor Gossips are history enthusiasts who interpret the lives and times of characters, real and imagined, from the 16th Century. Visitors can engage with the costumed characters throughout the encounter, asking pertinent questions, or they can just stand and enjoy the scene as it unfolds.

The Gossips can be found at three locations at set times throughout the day in the following scenes:

“Market Day” under the Butter walk, where neighbours discuss their purchases and how well the harvest is going;

“It takes all sorts”, is in the courtyard of the Totnes Museum, where servants gossip about their employers business, the dreadful doings of local miscreants found guilty at the last assize court and how the town has changed since their childhood;

and finally, “Gossip in the garden” sees the townspeople discussing the best herbs to flavour a pie or cure piles, share their hopes and concerns for their families in these troubled times of pestilence and war.

For the last 15 minutes of each session the interpreters will ‘take off their hats’ and visitors can ask their 21st century selves about the issues raised and how they prepare for an event.

Suitable for 12+.