Paul Golder writes for the Brentwood Gazette

We experienced a very unusal timeslip in the studio when we had a visit from two Tudor ladies, Mistress Anne Paycocke and Housekeeper Margery.

Anne and Margery are actually two members of The Companye of Merrie Folke, a dedicated group of Tudor Living History re-enactors. The members portray life, trades, livelihoods and lifestyle from the Tudor period, from High Status to vagabond, including barber surgeon, cunning man, puppeteers, musicians, sotlers, scriveners and many more.

Anne and Margery came in to Patrick Sherring’s Friday lunchtime show to talk about the festivities at their next event, A Tudor Yuletide, which takes place at Paycockes House in Coggeshall on 25 and 26 November.

There will be twenty five characters in full Tudor costumes and at least one in every room in the house. Different activities are happening through the weekend with characters demonstrating their skills.

Mistress Anne (Hilary) and Housekeeper Margery (Eleanor) emphasised that a visitor will be like a fly on the wall in a Tudor house, and visitors are also encouraged to talk with members of the group.

Part of the the interview included talking in character in “Tudorese” about getting the house ready for many visitors “who will come in strange clothing”.

You can find out more about the event at companyeofmerriefolke.wordpress.com/ and you can hear the interview with Patrick again at www.phoenixfm.com.

>> And I should squeeze in the great news that Phoenix FM has won the award for Best Community Engagement at the recent Brentwood Business Awards! I’d like to congratulate all the presenters and volunteers who made this happen.