MORE familiar with tide times, Queen's Guide to Morecambe Bay Sands Cedric Robinson confronted a digital timeline when he opened a new exhibition at Cartmel Gatehouse Heritage Centre.

Arriving in a horse-drawn carriage with his wife, Olive, and both dressed in period costume, Mr Robinson was greeted by a crowd of visitors and Cartmel residents, some of whom were also dressed in period costume.

He was welcomed by the chairman of Cartmel Village Society, John Coward, who introduced the exhibition project leader, Christine Stringfellow.

After performing the official opening ceremony, guests, local residents and visitors entered the medieval building through its ancient spiral staircase.

The new exhibition, which takes up three floors, depicts the history of the gatehouse and the development of Cartmel village together with the geography and geology of the surrounding area.

Exhibits include a digital timeline, an audio-visual presentation, a living history display, local photographs and maps, rubbing plates, costumes, and interactive displays for children.

Part of the ground floor houses the workshop of local clockmakers Fred and Ann Rogers and the temporary exhibition spaces show work by Cartmel CE Primary School, historic postcards, and photographs showing how the exhibition was designed and installed.

The new exhibition is the result of a community project which involved local skills, talent and expertise, combined with a few nationally commissioned pieces and plenty of practical help under the direction of the project leader, say members of the Cartmel Village Society, which lease the Gatehouse from the National Trust.

The new exhibition has been financially supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cumbrian County Council through the Grange, Cartmel and Lyth Valley Neighbourhood Forum, GlaxoSmithKline, The Godwin Trust, and individuals.

The Gatehouse is manned by volunteers and is open 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday between Easter and Hallowe'en and during weekends in winter.