Chairman's Update (May 2026)
Greetings friends! The Pendragon Foundation has been working hard over the last few months, developing partnerships, building our knowledge, and preparing ourselves for the exciting projects ahead.
We have three major updates to tell you about!
1) Trip to Sorbie Tower
In mid-June, we will be sending a team of 6 volunteers, including our Chairman Nathan Hood, to do repair work on a castle in the south-west of Scotland. In the county of Galloway lies Sorbie Tower, a Peel Tower castle which is the spiritual home of Clan Hannay. Led by the inspirational Steve, the tower has undergone rebuilding work over the last twenty years. Once a derelict ruin, it now has a roof, functioning medieval oven, and plans are underway to install a set of stairs to the first floor.
Our team of volunteers will be spending a week camping at the castle. In that time, we will help with 'repointing' the walls. This is the process by which old mortar is removed and new mortar - or lime in the case of historic buildings - is applied. It is a necessary procedure for upkeeping a building, especially when its construction faces ware and tare from exposure to the winds and rains of the Scottish coastline. We'll be providing a vital service for the Clan Hannay community while learning from Steve and his team about what it means to rebuild a castle that's owned by its community.
2) The Kingsflame Festival
On the 2-4 July 2027, we are creating a new cultural landmark. Encounter the deep magic of England at the Kingsflame Festival, a 3 day commemoration near Birmingham of 1100 years since the foundation of England by King Aethelstan.
We're assembling leaders in English culture to honour our Celtic, Saxon and Medieval heritage, with:
- traditional and folk music performed live on stage
- poems, plays and tales retold by master storytellers
- historical re-enactments and competitive combat
- culminating in the ceremonial lighting of the Kingsflame, a 8 metre tall bonfire
There will be good food, market stalls, and exclusive activities in our village campsites. It is an event not to be missed!
Subscribe for updates at kingsflame.co.uk
We are recruiting volunteers to support our team in delivering this major cultural event. Whether its offering hands on support in preparing the festival site, acting as security or as a steward, promoting the festival to target audiences in the local region, or helping with logistics, there are many ways to support the festival. Get in touch at pendragonvolunteering@gmail.com to play your part!
3) Local Chapters
The Pendragon Foundation is committed to supporting local communities preserve their castles. We believe that we can collaborate with people across the country to keep castles standing. We can provide help, whether it be cutting back nettles and repairing walls, to preparing planning documentation and updating digital platforms, and we are really keen to learn from and work with those who have conserved castles, as we want to continue their legacy into the future.
To do this, we have established two new local chapters to partner with castles in Britain:
- Welsh Marches Pendragon - situated on the Anglo-Welsh Border
- Forest of Arden Pendragon - based in the Midlands
Both will involve in real life meetups, working with local castles, and a chance to contribute to the conservation of Britain's heritage. If you live within travelling distance of these regions, we'd love to have you involved! There are lots of opportunities lined up with both groups, chances to develop your skills while benefitting local communities. You can express your interest by contacting:
Forest of Arden Pendragon group: pendragonardenforest@gmail.com
Welsh Marches Pendragon group: pendragon.wm@gmail.co.uk
Thank you for your ongoing support for the Pendragon Foundation. We are honoured that you have believed in us. Your help has been invaluable in getting us to this decisive stage where we are now ready to partner with local communities to save Britain's castles.
Nathan Hood
Chairman of the Pendragon Foundation
23.05.2026
