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 |  | See Cyril Hobbins, the Tudor toy maker, at Kenilworth Castle this weekend. On his last visit, one of our reviewers game the event top marks.
Review by Pete Playdon, site user
It was a cold, drizzly Sunday in October and I was taking two seven-year olds reared on TV and computer games to see a Tudor toy maker. 'Wouldn't it just be easier to put another video in the slot?' I asked myself.
| Μύ |  | Toy maker Cyril Hobbins
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Kids and castles always get on well, so the Kenilworth setting won half the battle and they happily charged down the hill with their free Tudor toy voucher. They didn't even stop to ask if a Tudor was like a Pokemon.
In the castle stables Cyril's bench of tools and half-made toys immediately captured their attention and they soon chose kits to try out.
My son went for Nine Men's Morris, a cross between chess and noughts and crosses that dates back to 1400 BC (at which I was later soundly thrashed). His friend went for the simpler, but equally entertaining, Tudor favourite still around today - the cup and ball.
| Μύ |  | View of the Great Hall at Kenilworth Castle
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Cyril runs his toy making workshop about four times a year, with people travelling from as far as Kent to attend.
His kits, which are free to the first 40 children to arrive, are simple enough for small hands to construct and decorate without much help. Despite the bitter cold (medieval working conditions, as I explained) my two both got down to their chosen tasks enthusiastically.
True to form, my son soon got frustrated with his inability to reproduce Cyril's own intricate designs (based on Tudor flower gardens like those at Kenilworth), and wandered off to view the more familiar commodities on offer in the giftshop - ironically becoming entranced with modern variations of the very toys Cyril was making.
| Μύ |  | Toy maker Cyril Hobbins at Kenilworth Castle
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This gave me a chance for a brief chat with Cyril, who explained how his wartime childhood and apprenticeship as a joiner had provided him with the skills to set up his toy making business later in life.
Cyril is clearly a true craftsman, devoted to the art and science of play and I wondered - as he explained to me how all his toys are based on authentic medieval sources - how this sort of dedication could connect with the children of our age of pre-programmed convenience.
But even as we talked about how the experience of childhood had changed during his lifetime, a young girl sat with us, quietly painting playing-card designs onto a wooden windmill, just as in the Breughal print Cyril had shown her. That answered my question.
Cyril told me he plans to retire soon, but will be writing a book and is already passing on his lifetime of practical knowledge to others. It's heartening to know that his skills won't be lost, but one wonders if anyone else could bring quite the same magic to the craft.
See Cyril Hobbins at Kenilworth Castle this weekend
The Tudor toy maker Cyril Hobbins will be back at Kenilworth Castle on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December from 10.30am.
Prices are Β£4.40 adult, Β£3.30 concession, Β£2.20 child or a family ticket is Β£11.00.
English Heritage members get in free.
On Saturday 21 December the castle is also hosting a carol service from 7pm.
Call for prices and more details on 01926 852078.
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