Salisbury’s independent traders sponsor talk by Lady Carnarvon

A talk by Lady Carnavon, who will be discussing her recently published book At Home at Highclere at Salisbury Playhouse, is being sponsored by independent retailers in the town.

The talk, on Tuesday, June 6, is part of the Salisbury International Arts Festival, and the organisation Salisbury Independents – which includes Casa Fina, Cross Keys Restaurant, Fisherton Mill, Noble Art Supplies, OSO Boutique, Regent Tailoring, Salisbury BID, Sarum College Bookshop, HR Tribbeck & Son, Well Natural, and The Wiltshire Gallery – are sponsoring the event.

Several of the independents are also helping to dress the city with window displays themed around various festival events.

Salisbury Independents formed in 2012 after taking inspiration from the national scheme, Independents’ Day, designed to promote and give recognition to independent businesses.

Since then, participation has doubled in size to include 180 local businesses with the aim of keeping high streets diverse and unique.

Susi Mason of Casa Fina said: “The Salisbury Independents are delighted to support the Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival again this year by sponsoring Lady Carnarvon In Conversation on June 6th in the Salberg Theatre, Salisbury Playhouse.

“As businesses which are at the heart of the city we very much value the buzz and that this prestigious festival brings to Salisbury. There are many free events creating a very special atmosphere and we look forward each year to welcoming the crowds that fill the street amongst the bunting, markets, street theatre and art installations around the city.

“Lady Carnarvon will be celebrating the best in entertaining at Highclere Castle which complements the group of independent businesses sponsoring the event who each aim to offer the very best products, services and advice to our customers.”

Festival Director Toby Smith said: “We are pleased to be working once again with the Salisbury Independents, who this year are sponsoring Lady Carnarvon’s talk at the Salisbury Playhouse.

“The Independents play a key role in making Salisbury such a great place in which to both live and work, and in partnering with local businesses in this way the Festival is able to further strengthen the real sense of community that this city enjoys.”

In At Home at Highclere, Lady Carnarvon reveals the history of weekend entertainment at Highclere, the setting for the multi-award winning television drama Downton Abbey.

Describing several real weekends that took place spanning across 150 years, where Highclere played host to royalty, statesmen, pioneers of technology, and notable performers and artists.

Each weekend showcases the lavish entertainment of the rich and famous upstairs and the domestic duties of the house staff, ending with a reflection on how the current Countess entertains today.