During Heritage weekend every September you can go into some buildings normally closed to the public, including Bond's Hospital where they live.
I used Maggie Holmes papers for the layout and the title was handwritten using brush script by me.😀
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Friday, 10 May 2019
Bond's Hospital
My godparents are both well into their eighties now, but are still very sprightly and they live in one of the medieval Alms houses in our ancient city.
During Heritage weekend every September you can go into some buildings normally closed to the public, including Bond's Hospital where they live.
I used Maggie Holmes papers for the layout and the title was handwritten using brush script by me.😀
During Heritage weekend every September you can go into some buildings normally closed to the public, including Bond's Hospital where they live.
I used Maggie Holmes papers for the layout and the title was handwritten using brush script by me.😀
Monday, 16 November 2015
So Sweet
The photographs I took of the sweet shops, on the outside of the Back to Back houses we visited in Birmingham ,made a perfect subject for my final hen day layout.
Again, I converted the picture to black and white, and layered it on top of a stack of 6x6 papers.I decorated the journalling block after writing the journalling with washi tape, a wooden camera, and a button and twine
A 6x4 card cut in half was tucked under the paper stack to give the illusion of a larger piece of patterned paper; a good way of using up Project Life style cards.
This page was probably the most tricky of the three. The picture wheel (a Tim Holtz die) was die cut and backed with scraps of the patterned papers.
The title was also die cut from funky foam and the page decorated with images/banners cut from the cards and papers.I loved these papers. At first I was a little apprehensive about using them as they do have a Disney theme on some (and I am not a Disney fan!) but very few of the cards or papers mentioned the mouse; I think if you didn't know they had a DIsney theme you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at my pages.
Hope the bride likes her final scrapbook.
Again, I converted the picture to black and white, and layered it on top of a stack of 6x6 papers.I decorated the journalling block after writing the journalling with washi tape, a wooden camera, and a button and twine
A 6x4 card cut in half was tucked under the paper stack to give the illusion of a larger piece of patterned paper; a good way of using up Project Life style cards.
This page was probably the most tricky of the three. The picture wheel (a Tim Holtz die) was die cut and backed with scraps of the patterned papers.
The title was also die cut from funky foam and the page decorated with images/banners cut from the cards and papers.I loved these papers. At first I was a little apprehensive about using them as they do have a Disney theme on some (and I am not a Disney fan!) but very few of the cards or papers mentioned the mouse; I think if you didn't know they had a DIsney theme you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at my pages.
Hope the bride likes her final scrapbook.
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
Attingham Park
We travelled to see Katie during half term and to break the long drive stopped off at a National Trust house in Shropshire.
Attingham Park had belonged to a Georgian ambassador and the downstairs of the the mansion was very well preserved.
The house was split into two sections, one masculine, the other feminine; the ladies parlour was beautifully decorated with an incredible chandelier and incredible plaster work on the ceiling.
The dining room was set up to show how it would have looked for an ambassadorial dinner, even down to the very dim candlelight . It's amazing how much we take electric lights for granted today.
As it was a special occasion the volunteers were in Regency costume too.
My favourite part was the below stairs exhibitions including the butlers pantry, housekeepers room, servant's hall and kitchen. The cooks were even preparing foods in costume.
Kev's favourite exhibit was that of a lathe that had belonged to the owner of the Hall.
Apparently he enjoyed turning wood so much he had a room dedicated to it. Alas only one item from that room survived the 20th century sales of house contents to keep these old places afloat. A great day out breaking our journey to Wales.
Attingham Park had belonged to a Georgian ambassador and the downstairs of the the mansion was very well preserved.
The house was split into two sections, one masculine, the other feminine; the ladies parlour was beautifully decorated with an incredible chandelier and incredible plaster work on the ceiling.
The dining room was set up to show how it would have looked for an ambassadorial dinner, even down to the very dim candlelight . It's amazing how much we take electric lights for granted today.
As it was a special occasion the volunteers were in Regency costume too.
My favourite part was the below stairs exhibitions including the butlers pantry, housekeepers room, servant's hall and kitchen. The cooks were even preparing foods in costume.
Kev's favourite exhibit was that of a lathe that had belonged to the owner of the Hall.
Apparently he enjoyed turning wood so much he had a room dedicated to it. Alas only one item from that room survived the 20th century sales of house contents to keep these old places afloat. A great day out breaking our journey to Wales.
Friday, 25 September 2015
Back to Backs
One weekend in September every year, many historic sites and buildings open their doors for free to encourage interest in history. We had seen many of those open in and around Coventry, so took a train to nearby Birmingham to see the Back to Back houses in the city centre.
The three houses were built around a small courtyard on the back of a series of shops, they had no indoor running water, the shared toilet was in a shed in the yard and they were inhabited by over 60 people. They were condemned as uninhabitable by the city council in the mid 1960s, and gradually fell into disrepair.
The only reason the back to backs were not demolished was that one of the shops at the front of Court 15 remained in use as a tailors until the 1970s.
The buildings were saved after listing in the late 1980s, and the Birmingham Conservation trust funded their restoration.
Now, you can not only visit for a guided tour, but even stay in a couple of the cottages! What a great base for seeing our second city. The tailor left the contents of his shop and these form part of the exhibition, including his patterns, an original suit hand made by Saunders and even his tiny changing room along with full length mirror.
So, after our visit, I made a scrapbook page to include some of my photos. My papers are a vintage set by Crate,
I included chipboard bunting to match the hand knitted bunting pinned up in the courtyard.
My MIL tells me that many members of her family lived in Back to Back houses in her native Bradford.
It's funny, bit after a discussion here we did feel that the houses would have some benefits... imagine knowing your neighbours well, and having a safe place for the children to play outside. Wouldn't fancy the outside loo though.
The three houses were built around a small courtyard on the back of a series of shops, they had no indoor running water, the shared toilet was in a shed in the yard and they were inhabited by over 60 people. They were condemned as uninhabitable by the city council in the mid 1960s, and gradually fell into disrepair.
The only reason the back to backs were not demolished was that one of the shops at the front of Court 15 remained in use as a tailors until the 1970s.
The buildings were saved after listing in the late 1980s, and the Birmingham Conservation trust funded their restoration.
Now, you can not only visit for a guided tour, but even stay in a couple of the cottages! What a great base for seeing our second city. The tailor left the contents of his shop and these form part of the exhibition, including his patterns, an original suit hand made by Saunders and even his tiny changing room along with full length mirror.
So, after our visit, I made a scrapbook page to include some of my photos. My papers are a vintage set by Crate,
I included chipboard bunting to match the hand knitted bunting pinned up in the courtyard.
My MIL tells me that many members of her family lived in Back to Back houses in her native Bradford.
It's funny, bit after a discussion here we did feel that the houses would have some benefits... imagine knowing your neighbours well, and having a safe place for the children to play outside. Wouldn't fancy the outside loo though.
Wednesday, 25 February 2015
Away in the East Midlands.
We had a few days up in Nottingham seeing Hannah, and took the opportunity to travel out and about to visit National Trust and English Heritage properties.
On Tuesday we went to Bolsover castle, high on a limestone escarpment it was the perfect place for a defensive building, first put there by the Normans,
and later rebuilt by Sir Charles Cavendish (son of Bess of Hardwick) as a country des res to entertain royalty,
with amazing views over the Derbyshire peaks.Unusually for an English Heritage building, much of it had a roof, and the small castle has fairly well preserved interiors:
including a fabulous painted plaster starry ceiling. We had fun making crowns...
and dressing up :)
From there we headed to Scarsdale Hall, a roofless ruin which had been stripped of its interior in the early 20th century after the owner became bankrupt, the interiors were sent to America.
Today the place is still beautiful and retains a few plaster mouldings on a ground floor room.
It does have amazing views of Bolsover Castle, glad I had my long lens for this shot.
Finally on Monday we headed for Rufford Abbey, owned by Nottinghamshire council. It reminded me of how Coombe Abbey used to be before Coventry council ran out of money and had to sell it.
Hannah got to hold a snowy owl: much to her excitement. She couldn't resist texting Katie to tell her all about it. Harry wouldn't hold it as he was scared it would "bite him"!!
The grounds were lovely, with carpets of snowdrops in places.
On Tuesday we went to Bolsover castle, high on a limestone escarpment it was the perfect place for a defensive building, first put there by the Normans,
and later rebuilt by Sir Charles Cavendish (son of Bess of Hardwick) as a country des res to entertain royalty,
with amazing views over the Derbyshire peaks.Unusually for an English Heritage building, much of it had a roof, and the small castle has fairly well preserved interiors:
including a fabulous painted plaster starry ceiling. We had fun making crowns...
and dressing up :)
From there we headed to Scarsdale Hall, a roofless ruin which had been stripped of its interior in the early 20th century after the owner became bankrupt, the interiors were sent to America.
Today the place is still beautiful and retains a few plaster mouldings on a ground floor room.
It does have amazing views of Bolsover Castle, glad I had my long lens for this shot.
Finally on Monday we headed for Rufford Abbey, owned by Nottinghamshire council. It reminded me of how Coombe Abbey used to be before Coventry council ran out of money and had to sell it.
Hannah got to hold a snowy owl: much to her excitement. She couldn't resist texting Katie to tell her all about it. Harry wouldn't hold it as he was scared it would "bite him"!!
The grounds were lovely, with carpets of snowdrops in places.
Thursday, 19 February 2015
Out and about in Derbyshire
We visited Hannah earlier this week, and spent the day at Hardwick Hall yesterday.
The Hall was home to Bess of Hardwick, one of the wealthiest women in Tudor England. She built the Old Hall, and only three years after it was complete started on the New Hall. Today the Old Hall stands a ruin, it is the New Hall that remains complete.
The Old Hall can be seen from the M1 as you drive north just before Chesterfield, English Heritage manage it and you can ascend to the second floor, where the state rooms would have been, to enjoy amazing views over the valley below.
Some of the plaster fireplaces and wall decorations are still in place: the best are to be seen on the walls of the Great West Chamber, which would have been used in the evening as the setting sun lit the room.
The New Hall is managed by the National Trust, and some of the furniture that was originally in the Old Hall is now to be found within its walls. The building is unusual as it was not really used as a family home for long after it was built, the Duke of Devonshire inhertited it, but preferred Chatsworth to be home, the Hall was used for holidays or hunting. Because of this, the Hall is little changed since Elizabethan times, unlike many country houses which were later modernised in the Georgian style.
Inside, the decorated plaster walls that were apparent in the Old Hall are here in the New, just on a greater scale, and the Long Gallery is fantastic to see.
The chairs under the canopy came originally from the State rooms of the Old Hall.
The house was last inhabited by the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire into the mid 20th century, and then passed into the hands of the National Trust.
A fantastic place to visit!
The Hall was home to Bess of Hardwick, one of the wealthiest women in Tudor England. She built the Old Hall, and only three years after it was complete started on the New Hall. Today the Old Hall stands a ruin, it is the New Hall that remains complete.
The Old Hall can be seen from the M1 as you drive north just before Chesterfield, English Heritage manage it and you can ascend to the second floor, where the state rooms would have been, to enjoy amazing views over the valley below.
Some of the plaster fireplaces and wall decorations are still in place: the best are to be seen on the walls of the Great West Chamber, which would have been used in the evening as the setting sun lit the room.
The New Hall is managed by the National Trust, and some of the furniture that was originally in the Old Hall is now to be found within its walls. The building is unusual as it was not really used as a family home for long after it was built, the Duke of Devonshire inhertited it, but preferred Chatsworth to be home, the Hall was used for holidays or hunting. Because of this, the Hall is little changed since Elizabethan times, unlike many country houses which were later modernised in the Georgian style.
Inside, the decorated plaster walls that were apparent in the Old Hall are here in the New, just on a greater scale, and the Long Gallery is fantastic to see.
The chairs under the canopy came originally from the State rooms of the Old Hall.
The house was last inhabited by the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire into the mid 20th century, and then passed into the hands of the National Trust.
A fantastic place to visit!
Friday, 7 September 2012
Heritage Open Weekend.
One of my favourite days in Septembers past has always been Heritage Open Day, when we can go into buildings that are usually not open to the public.
Although much of our fantastic heritage in Coventry was destroyed during the blitz, there are a few pockets left, so we usually go into town to see buildings that are many hundreds of years old.
This page is about one Heritage Open Day two years ago, and although the images are of modern Coventry, we did spend the day looking in the Georgian Draper's Hall...
the undercroft of St Mary's, a Benedictine monastery founded in 1043...
and Ford's Hospital, such a beautiful Tudor building it was the setting for the Shakespeare Dr Who a couple of years ago.
At the end of the day we came right up to date and walked down a plaza built for the millennium, and these photos are of Harry and Kevin behind the fountain.
I'm hoping to visit more interesting sites in my City this weekend.
Why not click on this link to see what's going on where you live?
Although much of our fantastic heritage in Coventry was destroyed during the blitz, there are a few pockets left, so we usually go into town to see buildings that are many hundreds of years old.
This page is about one Heritage Open Day two years ago, and although the images are of modern Coventry, we did spend the day looking in the Georgian Draper's Hall...
At the end of the day we came right up to date and walked down a plaza built for the millennium, and these photos are of Harry and Kevin behind the fountain.
I'm hoping to visit more interesting sites in my City this weekend.
Friday, 29 April 2011
That Royal Wedding
Well, I couldn't post today without mentioning this now could I? I'm not really a royalist (being RC means this proves a bit difficult!) but Hannah has been so interested in this for months now, and her infectious enthusiasm drew (most of) us in :)
So... did you do anything different for that wedding today?
We didn't do too much, watched the wedding, ooooed and aaaahed over that dress (similar to my Mums 1960s wedding dress with the satin skirt and lace covered bodice and sleeves) put our bunting to good use and had high tea...... 
with a lovely cake baked by Kevin, and decorated by Hannah. Kev looks miserable as the only way I could get the photo was to open the french doors and it wasn't too warm today!
with a lovely cake baked by Kevin, and decorated by Hannah. Kev looks miserable as the only way I could get the photo was to open the french doors and it wasn't too warm today!Here are some photos from our day
So... did you do anything different for that wedding today?
Friday, 7 May 2010
A big day...
...for Hannah Thursday, she voted for the very first time, and at a general election too! We have always been interested in politics in our house, and made it clear to the kids how important voting is, as we are from working class stock our forefathers (and mothers!) didn't have the chance to vote. Now we can make a difference and express our opinion just by making that little X on the ballot paper in pencil. 
Hannah's boyfriend said he felt it was an anti climax when he first voted, but i don't think Hannah felt that way (especially as her choice of candidate was elected!). I think the worst thing for her was that i insisted on taking her photo outside the polling station for her scrapbook!!! She looks so happy........ but after all, voting is a serious business!
Apologies for not updating earlier, but Blogger was playing up last night. Hope to get some crafting done this weekend.
As a quick crafty post today here is a mini book I made f
or my cousins 25th wedding Anniversary. His sister Kim sent me the photos, I turned them all B&W, and thanks to this little K&Co kit I've had for ages a pretty little book was made.
or my cousins 25th wedding Anniversary. His sister Kim sent me the photos, I turned them all B&W, and thanks to this little K&Co kit I've had for ages a pretty little book was made.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)