Tuesday 9th April

“A Victorian Wedding Revisited”, talk by Rachel Midgley,  Curator and Jane Hellebrand, Assistant Curator.

The Friends had an informative and interesting talk about the wedding dress of  bride: Sarah Ann Fletcher (1820-1904), daughter of Richard Fletcher, butcher of Bury and groom: James William Kenyon (1819-1910), linen draper in Bury.  His father was an Innkeeper.

Sarah and James married at Bury Parish Church on 27th March 1844; they were married for almost sixty years and had four daughters.  

Last year the Textiles Collection put the wedding items on display in Bury Parish Church 

Rachel telling everyone about the wedding dress and the waistcoat worn by the groom.

James wore his wedding waistcoat again on his 80th birthday.  We only know about this as his obituary, in the Bury Guardian, mentions him wearing the waistcoat to dance the Lancers with his wife - a pretty energetic dance for an 80 year old and his 79 year old wife.

The waistcoat can be seen behind with the brides hat on a stand.  

The items being examined.  

The dress and its cape in the background - a chocolate coloured fabric with toning braids.  

They look very well made items.  

Their great great grandson, Mike, came to hear the talk about his ancestors.  

3rd April

“Zenspirations and Beyond” Workshop  with Gail Marsh

Above is one of Gail's designs for the workshop.

Everyone had a really lovely day and enjoyed the course.

Below is the work of one of the group  - someone who always says 'I can't draw'  

'I think you can!'

25th February 2019

What a difference a year makes!

Last year 'the beast from the east' (2018) 

All the staff are busy getting the Hall ready for opening on Wednesday 27th March.  Lots of cleaning and polishing and new exhibitions being assembled.  

Victorian Christmas in the Hall

1st and 2nd December - 11am to 3pm

The Friends will have a stall and will be selling handmade items.  There will be a range of goods for sale including cards and tree decorations 

Name this cheeky chappy, made by Yvonne Goodwin,

Dorset Buttons Workshop

Tutor Gail Marsh

On Wednesday 25th July

10 am to 3.30pm

Learn this old skill.

£20 for members, £25 for non members

Bring a packed lunch or eat in the National Trust Tea Room.  

To book for the Friends workshops send your details plus payment to The Friends of Gawthorpe, Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley Road, Padiham, BB 12 8UA

Cheques made payable to ‘Friends of Gawthorpe’

You will receive a list of what to bring and what is provided once your payment is received.              Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided.  

email friendofgawthorpe@gmail.com to find out more about the course or check if there is still availability.    

Looking forwards to hearing curator, Rachel Midgley's talk and see items from the Collection  

‘Silk in Fashion from 1780 – 1880’

On Wednesday 13th June

At 1.30pm in Old Tea Rooms of the Estate Building.

There will be a Raffle.  Refreshments served after seeing the costumes,    

£4 for members, £5 for non members

  Please park in the National Trust Car Park

The Hall opens for the season on Wednesday  28th March

I hope we have some good weather for Easter.

there are two new exhibitions to start the season 

Pendle Artists Exhibition

28 March – 10 June Discover artworks from many local artists

EMOTIONAL REPAIR  - Ruth Singer
28 March to 24 June

Textile artist Ruth Singer explores personal and universal stories of love and loss, grief and celebration - using stitch as an act of remembrance and as a solace in times of emotional turmoil. New work in the exhibition is inspired by items in the collection and the stories behind these items. 

The Hall taken earlier in March  in the snow.