A PLAN for a 'Museums at Night' event at Castle Drogo has been successfully shortlisted as part of a national competition.

The plans have been put together by Drogo staff and a newly formed youth panel.

The race is now on as the public vote opens to win a visit from mixed media artist and musician Fred Deakin to host the after-hours event in May, at which local young people will be invited to experience Castle Drogo as never before.

The Connect10 competition is a national competition for cultural venues to win an artist to appear at a meet-the-artist event during Museums at Night.

Ten artists take part, with four venues competing to secure a visit from one of the ten artists taking part.

The Castle Drogo idea involves turning the castle into a celebration of traditional games with a modern twist.

If Drogo wins the public vote, Mr Deakin will put a creative spin on the evening with music, projections and lights.

The evening will bring to life the games played by the Drewe family who once lived in the castle, focusing on some of the castle's collection objects and outdoor areas, including the croquet lawn.

The current building project, partly funded by the Heritage Lottery fund and Interreg, a European grant, means that some rooms have temporarily been plunged into darkness.

At the event, these will be animated with lighting and activities designed by Fred and the Drogo youth panel — an exciting step in making the castle more accessible and relevant to young people. 

To win, the project needs as many votes from the public as possible.

Castle Drogo is competing with the National Coal Mining Museum for England, The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum in Cheltenham, and the Observatory Science Centre in Hailsham.

The winner of the public vote will not only win Fred Deakin for the evening, but also secure £2,000 towards delivering the event. 

Voting is now open, and will remain open until 5pm on Tuesday, January 28.