Whatever she does, Dorothy keeps in mind the main aim of providing an interesting and educational backdrop to the Apprentice House. Hence the scarecrows for fun as well as to deter the pigeons, the explanatory labels by dandelions and other 'weeds' so that visitors discover how important they were, the geese in the orchard, not forgetting mousers Lottie, Willow and Wisp (the last two gaining their names when kittens after disappearing for weeks). And there are events such as Apple Day in October to celebrate apples and orchards, highlighting the varieties in Styal, most of which were raised in Cheshire. Unfortunately, themed weeks (such as cookery and housework) are no longer run.