PUPILS from Therfield First School were the first to take part in Wimpole Hall s new Victorian Christmas Living History for schools project. Following the successful Victorian Christmas weekends at Wimpole last year, National Trust staff and volunteers a

PUPILS from Therfield First School were the first to take part in Wimpole Hall's new Victorian Christmas Living History for schools project.

Following the successful Victorian Christmas weekends at Wimpole last year, National Trust staff and volunteers arranged for the school to participate in the exciting preparations for Christmas at the hall, with a particular insight into life 'below the stairs'.

Pupils dressed in Victorian costume and were welcomed at the stables by a butler and housemaids.

They were taken down to the basement where they made Christmas crackers, peg dolls, finger puppets, biscuits, and Victorian Christmas cards.

Wimpole's learning officer Sophie Brown said: "Our Victorian Christmas was such a success last year we wanted to invite schools to enjoy exclusive access to the Hall at this magical time."

Christine Taylor of Therfield School said: "The children experienced what it was like to be part of the household busy preparing downstairs for a Victorian Christmas.

"It was the icing on the cake for them, as they have loved the Victorian topic which they've been studying this term.

"They were taken back to a fascinating period of British history, and we feel privileged to be one of the first schools lucky enough to be part of this programme. It was a memorable day for us all.