THE MERCHANT’S HOUSE
local resource – national treasure
NEWSLETTER
Issue No. 26 July 2012
JUBILEE EDITION
The Queen and Prince Philip’s Jubilee Visit to Salisbury
The Merchant’s House was represented by a
display in the Marlborough tent at the
Wiltshire Council Diamond Jubilee event in
Salisbury on 1 May. Ros Martin (right)
dressed as Mrs Bayly was introduced to
Prince Philip as “the mother of nine children”.
In customary ebullient form he replied “Good
gracious me - I thought that sort of thing had
gone out long ago!” To cap it all, another of
our erstwhile volunteers, Jo Peskett (left),
representing the Marlborough Jazz Festival,
swung into the song “Hit the road Jack, and
don’t you come back no more, no more” after the Duke left the tent. Jo claims she had no
intention of committing lese-majeste!
Open Day
Blessed with unseasonably good weather on 12 May we received 619 visitors (just 15 down on last year) of
whom 87 were children. It would seem that at least a third of visitors were from the local community and the
likelihood is that some will return at a later date. This was welcome evidence that we are fulfilling our
obligation to the Town Council to encourage local people to enjoy the house. We very much rely on our
volunteers’ knowledge, expertise and the enthusiasm with which they pass this on. Our thanks also to the four
17th Century members with their demonstrations of spinning and weaving and to Hector Cole for his display of
authentically reproduced blacksmith items. See photos from the day on separate sheet.
The Roy Strong Jubilee Lecture
On 23 May, after planting a commemorative tree in St Peter’s
Churchyard, Sir Roy Strong (seen right with our new Mayor) gave a
lecture on “The 20th Century Coronations” to an audience of some 300
including students from both Marlborough College and St John’s. His
talk, supported by evocative slides of past ceremonials, was
informative, even impassioned. While acknowledging that past
ceremonials had in their ritual, language and participation lagged
behind the mood of the times, he argued cogently for a continuation
not only of the monarchical role in the constitution but also for a
proper, albeit contemporary, sacramental consecration of future
monarchs. Sir Roy, a patron of the Merchant’s House since 2003, has
been very supportive of the project for which he says he has
considerable affection and we are immensely grateful for his
substantial contribution. The event was generously supported by the Marlborough History Society and by our
primary sponsor, Brewin Dolphin. Marlborough College kindly provided the Memorial Hall free of charge.
Jubilee Open Gardens
Despite a gloomy forecast and lowering skies the rain held off until nearly the end of the afternoon. We are
very grateful to the owners/gardeners of the eleven gardens open for inspection which provided some 180
visitors with enjoyment and ideas for their own gardens. Eileen Nancarrow’s cakes, the result of a mammoth
all-day baking session, were consumed with relish and the day raised £1,385. Our thanks to Clyde, Eileen and
all the other volunteers involved in organising this popular event.
Shop Window Jubilee Award
We have said for years that we have had the best shop window displays in
the town. At last this has been recognised when we scored a double triumph
in winning the Mayor’s best shop window and best floral diamond jubilee
displays. The Mayor, Councillor Edwina Fogg, is shown here presenting
the certificates to our talented designer, Abi Gibbon, a worthy successor to
Mary Potter who set high standards for many years.
VisitWiltshire Tourist Forum & Literature Exchange
On 2 May Sam and Sophie attended the VisitWiltshire Literature Exchange,
a good marketing opportunity for the project. They handed out 1400
brochures, 95 specialist days brochures and 100 Roy Strong lecture ticket applications. It sounded exhausting
but well worthwhile.
The Kitchen and the Kitchen Chamber
Work is proceeding apace on both these rooms which we hope will be completed by
the time of the next Newsletter when a full report will be made.
Josephine Goodfellow
Josephine, a former mayor of Newbury, (seen left) died on May 12 aged 90. She was
an enthusiastic supporter of the project and a longstanding Shop volunteer. Our
sympathy goes out to her family (especially her daughter Caroline, one of our
trustees) and our gratitude for their decision that donations (totalling £303.70) made
at the Thanksgiving Service on 15 June be given to the trust.
Farewell Jo - Hello Rosie
Jo Peskett (see overleaf) has been a staff Shop helper on Saturdays but she volunteered for a year beforehand as
part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. She is now leaving to take up a place at music school. Rosie
Sykes has now taken her place as a Shop volunteer. Bearing in mind that the great majority of our volunteers
are, shall we say, getting on a bit, it is encouraging to have a younger generation involved with the project.
Wanted!
The Garden tools are old and our volunteer gardeners are using their own tools which is not quite fair. We
would therefore welcome donations for new tools or of good quality second hand tools. Please contact the
Trust Office.
FORTHCOMING MERCHANT’S HOUSE EVENTS
Please book in advance to avoid disappointment
Jul/Aug
5 August
28-30 Sept
4 Oct
10 Oct
21 Oct
6 Nov
7 Dec
Marlborough College Summer School Visits
MH & St Peters
Summer Event – Murder Mystery Lunch “A Fete
worse than Death”
Marlborough Literature Festival
Autumn Lecture “The Norman Conquest” David
Du Croz & Michael Hart
Harvest Ploughman’s Lunch
Concert – “Music for a While”
Patricia Unwin – mezzo soprano
MH Friends Evening
Christmas Coffee Morning
Tuesdays & Thursdays
5 – 7 pm
12-3.30pm/Court
(Marlborough College)
MH and other venues
7.30pm/St Peter’s
12 – 2pm/MH
7.30pm/MH
6 - 8pm/MH
10.30-12noon/MH
Patrons: Lord Lothian QC. James Ayres, Clive Aslet, Jeanne Dolmetsch, Eric Knowles, Sir Roy Strong
Trustees: Sir John Sykes Bt (Chairman), Richard Clapp, Anthony Cohen, Alison Galvin-Wright, Caroline Goodfellow,
Cllr Caroline Jackson, Clyde Nancarrow, Jane Nicholson, Cllr Andrew Ross Manager: Samantha Pinkney
Address: The Merchant’s House (Marlborough) Trust, 132 High Street, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 1HN;
Tel/fax: 01672 511491; Email: admin@merchantshousetrust.co.uk Website www.merchantshousetrust.co.uk
Reg’d charity No: 1010902 Reg’d company No: 2704749