Role-play has always been a useful method of running through some uncertain scenarios.

The bereavement charity, Holding On Letting Go, works with children and their families after the recent death of a significant person in their lives.

One activity they run is to give a child a sand tray with lots of miniature dolls, vehicles and furniture so that they can express what life was like before, during and after losing the person they loved.

Children naturally play. Through their play they can be creative, live out their imaginations, develop social skills and express their feelings freely.

Holding On Letting Go runs non-residential weekend events in Sittingbourne, Kent, where bereaved children visit to explore their feelings through such creative and therapeutic work.

It’s a useful exercise, according to Caroline Pittard at Holding On Letting Go: “It helps them explore and understand their feelings.

“We give them the opportunity to mix with other children who have lost someone they have loved.

“Some of the children who come on these weekends may have been bullied because they have lost their mum or dad and we give a secure environment where they won’t be mocked and where they can work through their anger, grief and all of their feelings.”

Derbyshire-based The Dolls’ House Emporium is delighted to assist this healing work with children by donating the dolls’ house beds requested. If your company can help Holding On Letting Go in any way, please contact Caroline on 08445 611511.

For further information, visit www.dollshouse.co.uk/PRBED or call 080 00 11 44 11 quoting PRBED.

The Château is modelled on the elegance of 18^th Century France and has been carefully researched to ensure every last detail is authentic, from the characteristic slope of the roof to its ornate upper windows.

Dolls House Emporium designers have been working on images and including features inspired by true continental palaces and manor houses from the period to give this dolls’ house version the authentic flavour of France.

Launching in February, The Château is a welcome addition to the award-winning Dolls House Emporium’s collection of more than 30 houses.

It is set to be a big hit with romantics everywhere and is definitely something to fall in love with!

With an elegant sweeping stairway leading to the grand balcony running the full length of the frontage, this latest 1:12 scale model will surely fire the imagination of miniatures fans. Could it be the home of a nobleman? Would it be a divine lovers’ retreat? Or a top-class wine-country hotel for quintessential Englishmen travelling across the continent? The choice is yours!

Historically, a château was built as the badge of a family of nobles or French citizens of rank, the Loire Valley being as popular spot, where there are more than 300.

To complement its grandeur, there is a range of associated accessories available through The Dolls House Emporium, including the beautiful new hand-painted French armoire cabinet and a Louis XV sofa. There is also a French-style console table, a ‘buffet’ sideboard and an upholstered single bed, all in classical cream.

Or you could pack it with contemporary items hand-picked from the 2,500-strong range available from the Derbyshire company’s collection.

The Château is available in a range of finishes, which means that enthusiasts can do as much – or as little – work as they would like to bring it to life. With nine rooms, the stylish, front-opening house is a blank canvas waiting for someone to put their mark on it!

For more information, visit www.dollshouse.co.uk/PRCHAT or call 080 00 11 44 11, quoting PRCHAT.

Le Château features:

•           Six well-proportioned rooms on three floors;

•           One opening front panel;

•           Hinged roof for access to the top floor;

•           Authentic steep-pitched roof in the provincial style;

•           Carved ‘stone’ dormer windows faithful to the French style;

•           Typical corner stone and roof detailing;

•           Five beautiful opening French doors featuring pretty balconies on the first floor;

•           Intricate front entrance door opening into the impressive hallway;

•           Exquisitely-detailed internal doors;

•           Dog-leg stairs with ‘wrought iron’ railings and wooden posts;

•           All windows and doors are pre-assembled;

•           Le Château is packed in two boxes.

Le Château Basement:

•           Offers a further two rooms;

•           Stairs link seamlessly to the main house;

•           Supplied with extra railings for optional use on the main house ground floor doors;

•           Impressive curved staircase with authentic balustrades leads to the main entrance;

•           Two French doors for access to the gardens;

•           All windows and doors are pre-assembled;

•           Le Château Basement is packed in one box.

People who enjoy creating scenarios in miniature are inspired by a wide range of genres from literature, history, geography and contemporary settings.

Such miniatures allow anyone with a little imagination to recreate some of the most famous scenes from his work.

Set designers at The Dolls House Emporium have recreated the famous setting from Dickens Dream, the 1875 artwork by Robert William Buss.

Painted shortly after the author’s death it shows him in his study at Gad’s Hill Place, Higham, in Kent, having fallen asleep.

It is an unfinished watercolour – with only characters from The Mystery of Edwin Drood coloured in – and shows many of Dickens’ fictional characters occupying his dreams.

To recreate this scene as shown above, The Dickens writing desk (part no. 5719) and chair (5729), both in wood, are available from The Dolls House Emporium.

Charles Dickens himself (5739) is also available to buy, along with a wide range of ready-for-the-table food and drink, which would also be ideal for a spread of fantastic food from a sumptuous range to taunt the hungriest of Olivers… as well as using fine dining accessories like the candelabra, bottles of fine wine in a room lined with mirrors, works of art and family photos.

With clever use of some other miniatures from the Dolls House Emporium catalogue, scenes can be created from other favourite Dickens works.

Perhaps your dolls’ house is already a Victorian-inspired example. It’s an era that perfectly encapsulates a popular idea of childhood – from Dickens’ youthful heroes such as Oliver Twist and David Copperfield through to the lavish furniture and decor.

For more information, visit www.dollshouse.co.uk/PR200 or call 080 00 11 44 11, quoting PR200.