Rest at ease and join the Kipling celebrations

To celebrate new editions of Rudyard Kipling's Puck of Pook's Hill and Rewards and Fairies, a special launch is being held at the author's former home this weekend (May 7-8).
Bateman's, the Jacobean house that was the home of Rudyard Kipling from 1902 to 1936, set in its garden in the countryside at Burwash, East Sussex. SUS-160405-145053001Bateman's, the Jacobean house that was the home of Rudyard Kipling from 1902 to 1936, set in its garden in the countryside at Burwash, East Sussex. SUS-160405-145053001
Bateman's, the Jacobean house that was the home of Rudyard Kipling from 1902 to 1936, set in its garden in the countryside at Burwash, East Sussex. SUS-160405-145053001

Publishers are bringing Kipling’s classics back into print and the celebratory weekend, which promises to be a ‘magical and fun-filled’ occasion for all ages, is a joint collaboration between the National Trust and Macmillan Publishers.

Visitors will be able to delve into Kipling’s world of mythical characters and historic tales with activities including storytelling, face painting to become one of Kipling’s characters and garden trails – with a special Puck of Pook’s Hill-themed walk on the Bateman’s estate.

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There will also be poetry performances by Geoff Hutchinson as Kipling, the opportunity to create an outdoor theatre, complete with costumes, and the chance to learn about the world of Smuggling in Sussex throughout history with a Smuggler’s Trail.

Exclusive copies of Puck of Pook’s Hill and Rewards and Fairies will be available to purchase ahead of the official publication date of May 16.

Puck of Pook’s Hill and Rewards and Fairies are both set in and around Bateman’s and the new editions of the books include black and white illustrations by H.R. Millar and Charles E.Brock respectively, as well as a map of the grounds of Bateman’s so readers can see where each story takes place.

Both books are reissued on the 122nd anniversary of the first publication of The Jungle Book and in the 150th anniversary year of Kipling’s birth.

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Rudyard Kipling and his family lived at Bateman’s, Burwash, East Sussex, from 1902 until the end of the 1930s.

Now preserved for the nation by the National Trust, the Jacobean manor house was built from local sandstone in 1634 and its mullioned windows, tall chimney stacks and quaint watermill at the bottom of the garden all feature heavily in Kipling’s writing.

In 1907 Kipling was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. He was 41 years old and the first English language writer to receive the prize. He remains the youngest recipient to date.

For more information on the launch weekend call 01435 882302 or visit www.facebook.com/BatemansNT or www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

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