In 2022-23 The Isle of Man Church Recorders completed their 16th record, that of St Maughold Church, which was presented to the Vicar and Wardens at the end of the harvest festival service on 1st October.
The record includes a full description and history, where known, of all items in and or belonging, to the church. Of particular interest are the significant collection of Manx Crosses and the 14th Century ‘Maughold High Cross’.
The record is accessible at MNH Library under MS # 11165.
On Wednesday the 13th September, 28 members and guests visited Tennants Auction House at Leyburn, North Yorkshire. After a hospitable reception with tea or coffee and delicious home made biscuits there was an introductory video outlining the history of the firm followed by a fascinating talk by Tennants specialist Diane Sinnott with "hands on" participation with selected antiques.
There then followed a superb two-course luncheon in their bistro. This was followed by a guided tour of the sales rooms with discussions of forthcoming sales and current exhibitions.
Salisbury Cathedral – Outreach and Workshops for ‘To Be Free’ – The Arts Society, Wessex Area
We remain very grateful to The Arts Society, Wessex for their kind support of the arts workshops during our 2023 ‘To Be Free’ exhibition. I’m happy to provide the society with the following report of activities and highlights during the exhibition.
Many of you will recall an excellent lecture entitled A Carpet Ride to Khiva given in February 2023 by veteran traveller and expert on Asian textiles, Chris Aslan. He has recently produced another highly readable book on a similar theme: Unravelling The Silk Road - Travels & Textiles in Central Asia. Published by Icon Books in June, it's also available as an e-book.
On 20 April the Horsham Arts Society enjoyed a visit to Eltham Palace and Gardens in southeast London. The striking Art Deco mansion, which was built in the 1930s for eccentric millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld, incorporates the grand hall of a mediaeval palace that was once home to Henry VIII. Although only occupied by the Cortaulds for a few years before the Second World War they spared no expense building an ultra-modern home adjoining the medieval hall with its magnificent hammerbeam roof.