Scroll down or click on the jump links below to read a short review of each of our recent 2024-25 events.
- Evening with Wild Swans and Supper, WWT Slimbridge
- Visit to the Textile Conservation Studio, Bristol
- Guided Tour of the Medieval Monastic Estate of Frocester
- 5-day, 4-night Excursion to Norfolk
Wednesday 20th December 2023
Evening with Wild Swans and Supper, WWT Slimbridge
Last autumn, Alison Lister came to Box Village Hall to tell us about her training and career in Textile Conservation and about the conservation projects undertaken by her Bristol-based business, Textile Conservation Ltd. 11 Club members subsequently took up the kind offer of a guided tour of her Studio which is based at the Paintworks development in Bristol. Alison put a range of carefully chosen objects on display from a variety of commissions that the Studio is undertaking and introduced us to each, explaining the individual challenges.
The Union Jack from the Royal Navy’s HMS Captain (launched in 1869) was made from wool bunting. If the Studio’s proposal is accepted, some earlier restoration will be removed and the Ensign sandwiched between sympathetically dyed cotton net and muslin, so stabilising it for rehanging from a pole in its current Church home.
The Coleford Wesleyan Methodist Sunday school banner is constructed of a wonderfully painted silk, but the latter is badly shattered. One of Alison’s assistants was assessing different red-dyed gauze to see which would be a suitable match, to be gently placed between the layers and hot glued in place. So from a distance the banner will appear whole, while close-up the repair and original can be distinguished. A painstaking conservation that will require around 1000h.
Besides these two objects we were treated to an overview of four others: a beautiful lace curtain, one of eight from a National Trust property in Armagh, which were also being strengthened for rehanging by delicately sewing to a suitably dyed net backing; another flag, this time from the British Legion, again being stabilised for rehanging in Church; an evocative child’s sampler from the 1800s, a private commission, requiring some wool thread embroidery restoration; a 19th C wedding dress top that had been damaged by damp in a museum store and was in need of cleaning; and a tapestry from Kelmscott (though older and not contemporary with William Morris), Samson tending the Lion, which also required strengthening for rehanging and so was to be given a robust linen backing as it was very heavy - it was interesting to compare the light-faded front, for example with the green foliage now appearing blue, to the still vibrant colours on the back.
A really memorable visit.
Lynne O’Farrell and Denise Magauran, who arranged this wonderful trip, wrote the following day-by-day account.
There were 29 people in our group, 28 field Club Members and a friend.
Monday 23rd September The weather was bad but we set off and lan Jarvis our coach driver did very well. We arrived a little late at Ely Cathedral but the organiser there had still arranged guides for us and we were divided into two groups. The Cathedral is very beautiful and was the first visit for many of the group. We particularly liked the Octagonal Tower or Lantern, the Nave and the Lady Chapel. There was just enough time to go to a local cafe for refreshment and then we were on our way to Norwich where we were staying in the City Holiday Inn Hotel next to the Football arena. In the evening we went to the Rooftop Garden Hotel. It was dark but we could still make out the Cathedral and other buildings in the City. The food was excellent.
Tuesday 24th September We started early and went to Sandringham Estate. We had coffee and then toured the house, gardens and the Church. The restaurants and cafes were good and reminded us of those at Highgrove, King Charle's country home. It was interesting to see Sandringham particularly because of the link with our Royal Family and its rich history. People saw motor cars of the Royal family, one being an old Rolls Royce. It was interesting to see the Church which is dedicated to St Mary Magdalene. There was an amazing silver Altar which had been given by America. The Rector is Canon Paul Williams and he is also the Chaplain of the Order of St John. Unfortunately he was not there the day of our visit but we had a good guide. After our visit we drove along the coast to see Holkham beach. Holkham Hall was where Baroness Glenconner was brought up. We stopped near a viewing point and walked through a pine forest to see the beach. We were still a little way from the beach, but the view was beautiful and we were told that the beach extended for 40 miles. I think some of members would have loved to walk on the beach, but unfortunately there was not enough time. We returned to the hotel. Some members had dinner in the Hotel and some went to restaurants in Norwich.
Wednesday 25th September Our visit was to Blickling Hall. This was a very lovely Jacobean Building, with gardens and park land. The guides were particularly good. It was thought that Ann Boleyn was born here. The house and estate is very well cared for. Many of us had lunch outside by the stables. Following our visit we went to the broads and boarded a paddle steamer. We had a good commentary and saw some old traditional boats, and many birds, particularly cormorants and four kingfishers. We returned to the hotel and many of us went to the Ivy restaurant that evening.
Thursday 26th September Today we went to Houghton Hall, the home of the Marquess of Cholmondeley. We had a tour of the house and saw many of Sir Anthony Gormley iron figures in the gardens which was interesting. In the afternoon we went to the Cley Nature Reserve, many of us going to hides for greater visibility of different birds. The site was beautiful. We returned to the Hotel and all of us went to dinner at the Côte Hotel in Norwich.
Friday 27th September On our last day we were going the visit Norwich Cathedral and Norwich City. We were worried about the weather and decided to go home early without doing this. lan Jarvis our coach driver had a good journey and took members back to Painswick and Minchinhampton.
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| Kingfisher on the Broads (John Elbert) |