Hi!

I just wanted to say thanks again for the brilliant day we had on Friday. I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time – and that’s a real compliment having only just returned from a fortnight’s holiday in an exotic country with a large group of friends.

Once again thank you very much for providing a memorable and insightful day, I would happily recommend you to anyone needing your services in the future!

 

Sharon Parker

Noremarsh School, Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire

 

Dear King Hal,

Many thanks for bringing Henry and Tudor life alive once again for us all at Caister on Friday. We always enjoy your visits and your enthusiasm, knowledge, skill and sheer energy always ensure we have an exciting and inspiring day!
The pupils really enjoyed you coming and have been full of praise for Tudor day. Many thanks again from all of us once again and here’s to next year!

Best wishes,

Coralie Tungate

on behalf of us all at Caister Junior

 

Dear Mike,

Many, many thanks for providing our guests with such a wonderful talk on Sunday. Not only was it thoroughly entertaining and enlightening but a fantastic way to end our weekend. It was just what we wanted.

Kind regards,

Denise Borer

Bookings Secretary, Dillington House, Ilminster, Somerset

Dear Mr Farley,

Thank you very much for entertaining Crewkerne U3A so Royally on Monday. I think all the smiling faces showed how much everyone enjoyed the afternoon, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who learned some new facts about Henry VIII and his time.

May you continue your Royal Progress, bringing history to life for all ages!

Yours sincerely,

Jackie Setter

Crewkerne U3A

 

Hi Mike,

The day’s event was a great success, the morning’s presentation of the Tudor family and Henry’s wives was a great success. The children were enthralled, and you had them in the palm of your hand throughout the sessions.

I think your attendance at the “banquet” was an equal success. Thanks for joining us. I’d certainly recommend you to other schools without a doubt. A great day all round and I’m sure it will be remembered for a long time.

Thanks again.
Best regards,

Frank Bartram

The Fold School, Hove, East Sussex

 

Dear King Henry VIII

I am writing to you to say thank you for coming to our school. I liked the jousting the most because it was boys against girls and there were lots of cheering. Then next the stock because when Tim went in the stock and it was really funny. Then I liked when you played music it was great.

Yours sincerely

Philip Greene

Myland School, Colchester, Essex

 

Your Majesty!

Thank you so very very much for visiting my class. They totally and utterly loved your visit and are constantly talking about some of the disgusting and brilliant things they learned from you. You managed to reach all the children in my class, from the very able to those who find school very hard, in a fun, vibrant and infectious manner. They loved me having my head chopped off and booing at me in the stocks, (oh and of course the pooh!) Thank you again and I look forward to inviting you back in, in two year’s time!

Emma Chamberlain

Class teacher Ashcott Junior, Somerset

 

Mike,

Thanks for a great day! Will be contacting you soon to book for next year!

Keagh, Hayley and all at

The Maynard School, Exeter

 

Mike,

Just thought I’d let you know that I am doing an assembly tomorrow on your visit from October.  It seems a long time ago but when I asked the children what they wanted to do, it was talking about Henry VIII and your visit!

Thank you again.

Karen Styles

Hazeldene Lower School  Bedford

 

Hi Mike

Just to say thanks for an absolutely brilliant day – I don’t think West Pennard knew what hit them!! You have given us loads to follow up work wise, but above all the children had a fabulous day. Thank you very much Mike.

Best wishes

Ian Gouge

West Pennard School, Somerset

 

Dear Mike,

Thank you so much for such a great day. The parents have passed on that the children had a wonderful day and all that they told me confirmed it. It may be your job, but you do it so very well. Thank you again.

Christine Wichall 

St. Joseph’s Convent Prep., Gravesend, Kent

 

Hi King

My girlfriend and I saw you at Taunton Castle last week, you were great. Out of all the attractions that were put on around Taunton throughout the day you were by far the best.

Cheers mate!

Steve and Caz

(25 going on 10)

 

Just a quickie to say thank you very much for coming in on November 2nd. As always, your visit sparked great discussion, and much humour, both during and after the day and once again we find ourselves looking forward to your next visit.

Best wishes

Tracy Crossman and Sally Westney 

Archbishop Cranmer Church of England Community Primary School  Taunton

 

Mike

Thank you very much for a great fun-filled day on Thursday at Cotford. The learning was excellent and as teachers we were pleased at the knowledge gained by the children over the term about the Tudors. It was your first of two visits to Cotford and the children came back to the classrooms buzzing!! Your delivery and presence alone are far better than any books can aspire to! We look forward to seeing you again in July.

Best wishes

Adrian Jones and the whole school

Cotford St Luke, Taunton

 

Mike

Well what can I say? Even today the staff and kids are still talking about Tudor Day!!! It was a fantastic day as usual. A HUGE thank you. Can I please book you in for the same week next year (just before half term) on the Friday?

Thanks!

Rebecca Haste

Roman Hill Middle School, Lowestoft, Suffolk

 

Hi Mike,

Just a note to say thank you and how fantastic our Tudor day was last week. The children are still talking about it! And so are the staff, thanks to a photo of me in the stocks being put on the staff notice board.

Many of our children have very low concentration levels and yet you managed to keep them enthralled for a long time – no easy feat. You also were quickly able to identify certain ‘characters’ amongst our children and deal with them in a way that didn’t spoil things for them or others.

We will certainly recommend this day to other schools and will invite you back next year.

Once again, Mike, thanks very much.

Carol Coates 

Somerford Primary Community School

 

A review of Good King Hal’s appearance at Taunton Castle as part of the annual Taunton Westival from BBC Somerset. 

It’s a bit of a shock when you meet the very image of “King Hal” the eighth in the flesh, well, sumptuously attired in full Tudor regality of course, but looking every inch, circumferentially and up’n’down, the image of the fat b*****d we know from his portraits.

Mike Farley is professionally as well as full-time, a true Monarchic look-a-like but his forte is in rapid humour, honed on the groaning boards of the stand-up comedy circuit.  He is very funny but subtle with it, sometimes: Less so at others, and if not unique, his act must be one of the best of its kind.

For over 40 minutes he kept the patter tumbling out, occasionally digressing into more recent history of his own life but mostly making light of the sad fates of tarty Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard but slipping in also some valid history and speculation about what might have been if Katherine of Aragon had had a healthy son.

Mike can be located via his website www.goodkinghal.co.uk look him up and get him to raise a laugh at your next party.

Written by Arthur Duncan

 

Hi Mike,

Just got in and wanted to email you straight away to say a great big THANK YOU for today!  It was a resounding success, and all the children (and adults!!) really enjoyed it.

I was really impressed with the whole day – you are so brilliant! I don’t know how you can remember it all! The kids really enjoyed listening to you. They will remember this day for a long time! You must be worn out now… I know I am!! I don’t think I could be Henry VIII every day – I’ll stick to teaching my 30 kids – it seems easier somehow!
Thank you once again for everything. I wish you could come back tomorrow!!

All the very best,

Jo Burton

Abbotswood Primary School, Yate, South Gloucestershire

 

Thank you, Mike, for this morning. I can say without reservation you are one of the very best speakers I have ever had the honour to introduce. Everyone enjoyed your performance, it was entertaining and informative, you clearly know your stuff. If only every history lesson could be thus.     

Lynn Hubbard, St George’s W.I., Beckenham

 

Dear Mike

Thank you so much for today – the children have lots of wonderful memories!

I’ll be in touch!

Many thanks again

Sian Sainsbury, Greenfylde School, Ilminster

 

Hi Mike,

Just to say thanks very much for another great visit to Manor Court, all the children loved it!

We have written you some thank you letters – do you have an address that we can send them to?

Best wishes,

Laura Devereux, Manor Court School, Chard

 

Hi Mike,

I just wanted to say another huge thank you for today.  Once again you have managed to capture the imagination and interest of our children with your enthralling show and humorous personality.

A great day was had by all and the children left at the end of the day with a huge range of exciting anecdotes from the day to recite to parents.  I myself have already shared many of today’s hysterics with my husband; you have such a talent at picking the right children at the right moment!

Thanks again

Katie Angus, Birchfield Community School, Yeovil, Somerset

 

Good King Hal has repeatedly visited our historic house in Southchurch over the years. For a Tudor event in a contemporaneous building, he is an excellent completion for the ultimate learning experience. Last August we had standing room only for the King, whereby he gave an excellent lecture and talk that engaged all abilities and backgrounds. Before and after his session, he thoroughly engaged with the public, stood for photo opportunities, and added to the rich ambience that made the event the overwhelming success that it was.
Recommend? No doubt about it.

Many thanks.

Chris Langdon, Southchurch Hall, Southend Museum Service, Essex