Friends of Lincoln
Museums and
Art Gallery
News
Autumn 2008
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
Hugh believes the Collection performs effectively but at the moment the Usher
Gallery and the Museum of Lincolnshire Life do not, although they both posses a
wealth of exhibits of local and national significance. “These should be important
sources of interest and enlightenment; for example, showing the major role
Lincoln played in the Industrial Revolution.
GREAT NAMES
Hugh continues “I am fascinated by the fact that an isolated, rural county
produced people of the stature of Isaac Newton, Joseph Banks,
Matthew Flinders and Alfred Tennyson (to name a few); and that it was
transformed from dereliction and poverty into a highly productive farming
county and a world-wide supplier of health-creating engineering products.
Can the past provide a lesson for the future?
THE WAY FORWARD
A NEW CHAIRMAN
Hugh Cooke (pictured above) says
he is delighted to be Chairman of the
Friends, and is keen to share some of
his ideas about its future direction.
Aware that recent cuts by Lincs County
Council have forced the Cultural and
Education Service to reorganise staff
and reduce opening hours, Hugh says
they undervalue the importance in our
daily lives of Museums and Galleries.
“These should provide a narrative
which can help us understand how
things have evolved, the connections
between artefacts, the people who
made them, and the society in which
they lived”.
“While continuing to support the Collection, the Friends should chiefly
promote better presentation of exhibits at the M.L.L. and the Usher, through
guided tours, other events to attract and interest people, and illustrated
talks about specific collections in historical, archival or national contexts. It’s
important that we support and collaborate with the Service to enable these
events to take place and provide financing for the preparation of exhibits,
explanatory material and guest speakers. In such ways the Friends can help to
achieve worthy showcases for important artefacts and also make a broad and
interesting programme for current members while attracting new ones.”
WELCOME TO NEW
MEMBERS
Mrs Christine Cauwood
Mr and Mrs B Curtis
Mr and Mrs A Croxford
Mr and Mrs R Hewins
Mr and Mrs B Faraday
Mrs M Gadsby
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Our industrial heritage?
Activities
BRODSWORTH HALL
Brodsworth Hall is close to Doncaster, so an easy trip
from Lincoln, well organised by Hilary Hawkyard. On our
way we visited the nearby East Markham Steam Museum
and Garden Centre. The Museum is privately run, and
consists of a wonderful collection of old steam engines,
lovingly tended by retired engineers, who keep their
charges in fine condition, and “steam up” on Wednesdays
and Sundays. The smell of hot oil was very nostalgic,
and many of us were soon standing in front of these
wonderful machines, drooling. (Others were taking the
opportunity of a cup of coffee or a bargain plant!). In
these days of eco-awareness, we were delighted to learn
that some of the engines provide power and heating for
the neighbouring greenhouses.
So, on to Brodsworth! It is a comfortable, (rather than
grand), Victorian house. It has been conserved in the state
that its last owner left it – comfortably shabby, but with
plenty of interest, both artistic and human - giving a good
idea of life in its heyday. Information boards are clear and
explain about the family, and the business of running a
large estate; the guides in each room were enthusiastic
and helpful.
The garden, recently restored by English Heritage, is a joy.
It is essentially a series of small gardens of different kinds.
We saw the roses at their best – over 100 varieties of
historic roses – but we also enjoyed the fern dell and the
flower garden, and the unusual use of clipped evergreens,
and the delight of walking along a path with a changed
view at each twist and turn. Do go – it’s not far away!
By M Walch
TEMPUS FUGIT! – A DAY OUTING
TO NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.
Time certainly flew during this excursion, and our first stop
was the British Horological Institute in Upton. The BHI
was founded in 1858, and since 1972 it has been housed
at Upton Hall, a grade 2 listed house, dating from 1828.
After a talk on the growth of the clock and watch-making
industry in the UK, and especially on industrial uses of
horology, we toured the extensive collection of clocks
and watches owned by the Institute. We saw clocks
and watches from the 17th Century through to the
present day, including many fine Long case clocks (not
grandfather clocks, we were told!) regulator clocks,
skeleton clocks, wall clocks and a variety of watches,
including the watch used by and found near the body of
Captain Scott in the ill-fated Antarctic expedition.
Next we came to Southwell. We enjoyed the superb
Georgian houses close to the Minster, and some of us
even managed to visit Burgage Manor, where the young
Lord Byron lived between 1804 - 1807, whilst he was
a pupil at Harrow School. After lunch at the excellent
Minster Refectory, we visited the Minster itself. The
famous 13th Century Chapter House with its exquisite
carvings of leaves with heads, animals and green men
was a joy among many delights, we also saw the “bread
pews” in which the poor received bread, with Roman
mosaic tiles below them, and the brass 16th century
lectern in eagle form retrieved from a lake at the nearby
Newstead Abbey (Byron’s ancestral home). It was an
extremely enjoyable day, with thanks to Inge and David
Freeman for their excellent research and organisation.
By Philip Serth
AN INTRODUCTION TO SPANISH ART – LECTURE BY JOHN LORD
Originally conceived as both part of the “Friends” visit to Madrid, and of general interest, this lecture became a complete
overview of the subject. The opposites of exuberance and reserve in the national character were noted. We were taken
from paleolithic, through Greek, Roman, Visigothic and especially Islamic influences of tolerance and learning – to
European Gothic, with a love of complex, overlapping patterns in Spanish building – and to the Renaissance. Here we met
some of the greatest of great artists – Velasquez, from the early “Surrender at Breda” to the perfection of court painting –
Goya, from the joy of the Maya (clothed and unclothed!) to the blackness of the human spirit in war, and to Picasso, the
major influence on art in modern times. The audience was fascinated, and eagerly looked forward to seeing some of the
work for themselves, during the Madrid trip. By David Freeman
WHISPERS FROM THE PROGRAMME COMMITTEE
The 2009 Programme is not complete, but here are a few tit – bits.
14th February Jazz Night! More information about this in January, but please note the date now – it’s always a great party;
New Orleans Heat will warm up the winter, and we look forward to seeing you there.
In early March there will be a Clay Workshop with John Ward; and probably in the week beginning 23rd March Ursula Taylor is
arranging a visit to Hull, especially the Ferens Gallery. The AGM is likely to be on the 22nd April, at 2.00pm.
There is news of next year’s trip abroad elsewhere in the newsletter; the long weekend may well be to Liverpool in September.
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A TRIP TO MADRID 2008
VISIT TO BURLEIGH
Hugh had thoughtfully chosen a very central hotel on the Grand Via in walking
distance of all the main attractions and with a constant supply of very exotic
ladies, (obviously waiting for their friends?), just around the corner!
A fine day – fortunately for those
enjoying the water features in the
Garden of Surprises which can
lead you into the Sculpture Park
itself. Created on a sloping site, the
Park cleverly manipulates existing
shrubberies and mature trees, carving
out vistas, blind alleys, green rooms
to draw the eye to pieces of sculpture.
All modern, different media, some
gruesome, some witty, some imperial,
all subtly placed.
Our guide for the holiday was Jose, a colourful character with fluent English
spoken with rather a strong accent at times, a good sense of humour and
an encyclopedic knowledge of history and art which, on occasions, he was
rather too generous in passing on to us! We went with him to The Valley of
the Fallen where a giant granite cross is situated on the top of a rocky cliff. It is
said to be the largest in the world. The very impressive basilica carved into the
rock underneath the cross is lined with tapestries and has a wonderful mosaic
cupola 40m. across. Franco is buried here and Prima de Rivero. It was built to
commemorate all those who died on both sides in the Spanish Civil War.
About 450,00 soldiers are buried here, also Franco and Prima de Rivero. Next
stop was the Monastery of El Escorial, built to celebrate the Spanish victory over
the French in l557 and for many years after completion the largest building in the
world. It contains a wealth of treasures including innumerable paintings,and the
Habsburg Royal Apartments where Felipe II stayed and where he died in l598.
Beneath the high altar of the basilica is the burial place of many Kings of Spain.
The next day we had a city tour and were impressed by the beautiful fountains
and statues, the flower beds planted with masses of pansies and the complete
lack of litter. What can one say about the Prada which we visited in the
afternoon? Jose guided us through some of the galleries of wonderful paintings
but the party did tend to get smaller as hearts and limbs grew fainter! We
finished by visiting the Goya exhibition, some of us on our knees!
On our free day, some visited the Royal Palace, the Thyssen collection, the Botanical
Garden and four of us went on the brand-new high speed train to Segovia.
On the final day, we went by coach to Toledo, stopping on the opposite bank of
the Tagus to enjoy a wonderful view of the city before we stopped at the Toledo
Steel and Metal works to learn about the craft of damoscene. The amazing
Cathedral was so elaborate. The Sacristy had dozens of El Greco paintings of
apostles and the Treasury housed a breath-taking monstrance of filigree gold
and silver studded with jewels which is paraded once a year.
Finally, at St. Thomas’s church we saw El Greco’s huge masterpiece, The Burial of
Count Orgaz.
After a very short time in bed, we left the next morning for the return journey. It
had been a memorable holiday. Our thanks go to Hugh for all the care he had
taken in arranging it.
By Barbara and Peter Chapman
If you come across a seat, you can be
sure it is there for a purpose (not just
a rest). Gradually, the ways lead up
to the lake, perhaps best known for
the scene in Chariots of Fire where
Nigel Havers makes the champagne
tremble on the hurdles, and you
can see in the distance the gothic
boat house which contrasts cleverly
with the two modern water features
nearer the house. A café, a restaurant
in the orangery, and a shop provide
necessary pick-me-ups.
After lunch we went to Stamford,
and Browne’s Hospital, which
Pevsner describes as “one of the best
mediaeval hospitals in England”. The
hall was built in the 1480s and the
chapel consecrated in 1494. The hall,
designed as a living and sleeping place
for 10 men has a screen leading to the
chapel so even though bedridden an
invalid could still (seem to) participate
in the service for the souls of the
founder and his wife. Upstairs there
is an audit room, formally furnished
with great table and chairs, and at
one end the warden’s living quarters
which have a much more domestic
feel. Downstairs, across the courtyard
is a range of 19th century picturesque
cottages, fairly recently modernised
and accommodating 12 pensioners.
From the street, the hospital has the
appearance of an Oxbridge College,
and is reached by a grand stone
staircase, making the whole building
a worthy complement to Stamford’s
finest. Thanks Hilary, for a great day out.
By Mary Gibson.
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NEW AT THE COLLECTION
The “Friends” have recently
contributed to the purchase of 2
very different but equally interesting
items for The Collection – the Syston
knife handle, and the Luttrell Psalter
facsimile.
The Syston Roman erotic copper knife
handle was discovered at Syston, and
bought by the Collection. The British
Museum was also very interested, but
the finder preferred The Collection to
have the first refusal. It is a rare find,
and dates from the 4th century AD. It
depicts 3 figures in an unmistakeably
erotic position; it is of great academic
(and also human) interest, a valuable
addition to The Collection, and it will
shortly be on view with other new
additions.
The Collection, Lincoln
The Luttrell Psalter is a 14th Century
Book of Psalms. Rich landowner and
knight, Sir Geoffrey Luttrell of Irnham,
Lincolnshire, commissioned it
The original book is housed in the British Library and is considered to be one of the country’s finest treasures. It is
rare in its depiction of ordinary people as well as the Saints and the Gentry. Peasants can be found ploughing, feeding
the chickens, stealing cherries etc. There are many amusing and sometimes frightening images of monsters within its
magnificently illustrated pages
The “Friends“ funded the purchase of a facsimile of this marvellous manuscript which was used this summer as the basis of
a film and the inspiration for some fine embroidery, calligraphy and art work at The Collection. It will be on display in the
mediaeval section of the permanent collection.
ANCIENT GREEKS – AT THE COLLECTION UNTIL 5TH OCTOBER
THE NEW COMMITTEE
How remarkable to be able to see such a fine exhibition of ancient Greek vases
and sculptures at The Collection! The objects themselves are beautiful, and
speak to us over the centuries; many of the decorations focus on sport and
the Olympic games – good timing, or what? But to have them here in Lincoln
somehow makes the link between those ancient Greeks and us a very close one.
This was a moving experience – if you haven’t seen it, GO NOW!
Hugh Cooke Chairman
Ursula Taylor Secretary
Michael Thompson
Treasurer
Margaret Walch
Vice Chairman & Membership Sec
Linda Benson
Inge and David Freeman Mary Gibson
Hilary Hawkyard
David Kennedy
Rosalyn Roe
Peter Wright
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The content of this newsletter was compiled by Margaret Walch, Mary Gibson and Ursula Taylor.