The Specialists

04/05/2026

If you’d like to book a school visit to reward your children for their hard work over the year and fancy something a bit different then maybe consider circus workshops.

We’re going to add this to the website soon but Rowan has dates in term time for her circus skills workshops. Children can learn to juggle, spin a plate, learn how to twirl with poi, hula hoop etc.

Please spread the word and get in touch if you would like to book 🎪

29/04/2026

And I had a fantastic Viking day today too 🗡️

29/04/2026

I think I’m fully booked now (I might have a couple of dates left in July) but Rowan still has availability with the Toys visit.
The teacher who booked yesterday has just got in touch so if you’d like your class to explore some old toys before the term is over then please get in touch and I’ll get you booked in.
🧸 🚂

10/12/2025

Everyone who does a similar job to me always gets to hear kids say “this is the best day ever”, “can you come back tomorrow” or having “I love you” notes made for us. This is how it should be as we’ve designed the visits for them.

It always hits differently when teachers take the time to get in touch after the visit. We all know how busy teachers are, especially this time of year!

So to all staff in education- keep going, we see how busy you are and it’s not long until you get a break. 💪🏻

16/11/2025

Greg’s amazing friend from uni has written this obituary for Greg.
He really did love setting up and running this business and would be so pleased to know that Rowan is currently helping out with sessions at the moment too.

With regards to his other love, LEGO, then myself, Frankie and Rowan are having a huge Lego sale at Groby village hall, Leicestershire on the 23rd of November between 11am-3pm. We’re selling most of Greg’s collection and most will be half price. So if you know anyone who loves the little plastic brick and would like some bricks, minifigures, unusual parts, Lego sets then please tell them to join us for some bargains. Cash on the day and there’s a coop a couple of minutes walk from the village hall in Groby with a cash machine.

Thanks again to Louisa for taking the time to honour Greg so beautifully and for being a fantastic friend to him over the years ❤️

Other lives: Actor-educator who toured primary schools in the character of historical figures

03/11/2025

For the rest of this academic year you might meet my daughter Rowan on our Toys from the Past days.
Rowan is used to visiting schools with her circus skills and has recently taken on Toys to keep as many bookings going as possible.

If you fancy booking a circus skills workshop into school or for a PTA event then feel free to contact me or contact Rowan through her website- rowangracecircus.co.uk or via her IG- rowangracecircus

Just a reminder that I’m continuing with Toys and Fire of London for KS 1 and Egyptians, Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Victorians for KS 2.

Rowan and I look forward to seeing you all soon ☺️

07/09/2025

Selling Tudor Replica Artefacts £75

As I’m not going to be continuing with Tudors I thought I’d sell some of the smaller artefacts. These would make a great display in schools.

These are the items:

Ink well & Pounce Pot
Horn Book
Clacker or Bird Scarer
Puzzle Pot & Gusset Pot
Tudor Rose Shield
Yorkist Badge
Carpet Watering Pot
Puzzle Jug
Face Jug
A Parchment and Leather Bound Book for Health
Beeswax Candle and Candle Holder
The Great Seal of Henry VIII
Wooden Trenchers
Pewter Plate & Cup
Horn Cup
Three Tudor Rose Flags
Pewter Spoons, Horn Spoon, Single Pricker & a Double Pronged Pricker
Purse with coins
Marbles
Playing Cards
Child’s Leather Ball
Slapcock or Shuttlecock

Just a reminder to my lovely clients that I’m going to continue with Toys from the Past and Fire of London for KS1 and Egyptians, Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Victorians for KS2.

13/08/2025

For any of our amazing clients or friends of The Specialists who don’t yet know, I wanted to make you aware that Valhalla has recently accepted the most fun, creative and talented Viking. Greg died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack at the beginning of this month.

I’m obviously still in shock and trying to get my head around everything but will continue to run the business as this is something that we both have loved and have set up together. Greg was full of energy in all of the different roles he took on. He felt privileged to be doing a job he loved that gave such joy to so many children. I will have Greg’s energy with me as I continue.

I’ve lost my husband, my friend and the best business partner. I know he’ll want me to carry on with our business that we’ve always been so proud to have grown.

I’m in the process of changing or cancelling bookings for the first half term. I plan to go back to work at the start of November, initially for only three days a week.

Please don’t worry about emailing about dates you would like in the future as doing something I know so well is providing some normality within the chaos. I look forward to seeing all our lovely clients later in the year. To begin with I’m going to continue with Fire of London and Toys from the Past for KS1 and Egyptians, Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Victorians for KS2.

Greg not only loved history but was a huge fan of historical fiction too. We both loved Bernard Cornwall’s Uhtred series so….

Destiny is all.

11/07/2025

This is one of our regular clients. Great school to visit! 🙌🏻

01/05/2025

We love getting thank yous, drawings and poems from the children but we’ve never been given a school report before! 😆