While everyone else is planning Millennium celebrations, one York institution is relaunching the year 1483.

History buffs at the 15th century Barley Hall, off Stonegate, are turning back the clock in a summer campaign to promote the home of the renowned medieval show-off William Snawsell.

Visitors are invited to tour Alderman Snawsell's home as if it were their own.

"It is not a museum," said volunteer Lara McClure, a student at the University of York. "In a museum you can't touch - here you can pick up everything, and treat the place as your own. There will be costumed volunteers in the rooms gossiping about the news of the day, and each day will be different. Today will be treated as July 2, 1483, and so on." The 'experience' at Barley Hall is centred on the turbulent times of 1483, when the infamous Richard III came to the throne. Barley Hall is also offering itself for authentic banquet parties, as well as the usual tours. But volunteer guides are needed to boost the medieval numbers. Lara said: "We need people but they don't have to be history experts. Enthusiasm is all that is required and we'll teach the rest. Everyone who has done it says it was such a fun place to work."

For more details, contact Barley Hall on York 610275.

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