6 June 2017 N.E. Area Silver Study Day in Hull was a great success

NORTH EAST AREA STUDY DAY on SILVER OF THE NORTH EAST

The study day held at the History Centre in Hull on 6 June was very well supported.  Approximately 80 people attended from 12 societies helping to make this one of the most successful study days in our Area.

The idea of holding a study day in Hull, in its UK City of Culture Year, was first suggested by Mary Grunwell, and we were offered the History Centre free of charge in recognition of the excellent work done by heritage volunteers from Hull & East Riding DFAS over many years.

Ian Pickford, a well-known silver expert, gave a most interesting insight into the history of silver made in Hull in the 1600s.  The first lecture showed us many examples of rare Hull silver. The next part was a session where Mr Pickford discussed the pieces of silver from the Hull Guildhall collection kindly brought in by the Lord Mayor’s Beadle. After the break for coffee, the second lecture focussed on the silver made in York and Newcastle and showed us many fine examples of these pieces.

The afternoon was an ‘Antiques Roadshow’ style session where delegates brought in their own silver and Ian gave a detailed anaylsis of each of these interesting objects.

Lunch and refreshments were provided by the University of Hull Catering Department and we are grateful for their efficient service.  The History Centre staff were also on hand to serve coffee on arrival and help with any problems.

As the day was so well supported we were able to give donations to the Lord Mayor’s charities and to the Hull History Centre.

As this was the first (and last!) study day I had organised I am grateful to Joan Lawrence and Maureen Jones for their help and invaluable support (and good humour). 

Helga Toon

Photo of Ian Pickford the Silver expert with Helga Toon of TAS Driffield Wolds, Study Day organiser, looking at silver provided by members of the audience.