FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 Winter 2009/10

© Colchester and Museum Service

Ipswich Museums Friends Newsletter 1 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10

Contents Editor’s Notes 3 IAA Discounts 3 The Friends of the Ipswich Museums Chairman’s Message 4 Newsletter is published quarterly and Our Cover Picture 5 distributed free to all members. The FOIM Peter Berridge’s Column 5 was set up in 1934 to support the work Friends News 7 and development of the Ipswich Visit to Gressenhall 9 Museums: in the High Street (including Gallery 3 at the Town BAfM Conference 11 Hall) , and the Constable & Gainsborough 13 Wolsey Gallery in Christchurch Park. Colin Moss 15 Since April 2007 the Ipswich Museums Archaeology News 16 have been managed as part of the An American Visitor 18 Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service. Documentation News 19 Friends continue to provide financial Awards for Museum Service 20 support to the Ipswich Museums as well Transport Museum 20 as acting as volunteers. The Friends run Museum Staff News 21 outings, lectures and other events for their Tale about Park Gate 22 members. New Lace Book 23 The Friends provide guided tours of both FOIM Council 2009 –2010 24 the Mansion and the Museum, including free taster tours of the Mansion on Corporate Members 24 Wednesday afternoons during British Summer Time. Tours can be booked by contacting the Mansion (01473 433554). FOIM is a member of the British Association of Friends of Museums and Ipswich Arts Association. Cover Illustration: Greta by Anna Airy. This picture was chosen by our Contributions to the Spring 2010 Chairman, see page 5 Newsletter should be sent to the editor by 1 February .

Please visit our website at www.foim.org.uk. Jerry Latham would welcome your comments. We have already started to use the website to advertise events which are notified too late to be printed in the Newsletter.

2 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 Editor’s Notes

In his column, Peter Berridge gives prospect of Ipswich emphasises us really welcome news about the the large number of churches in proposed major developments for Ipswich, which are all easily seen Ipswich Museum over the next few amongst the smaller houses of the years. Marie Taylor tells us about period. the Museum Service successes in We now have a very keen team of the 2009 Tourism Awards (see Mansion Guides. Their activities page 20). are reported on page 8. If you are Have you visited the Mansion to free on a Wednesday morning see all the additional artworks on they would be delighted to see you display as part of the Felix on one of their winter Taster Cobbold Trail? All the pictures Tours. were either fully or partly funded Over 40% of the Autumn by Felix Cobbold. Two I Newsletters were delivered by particularly like are a watercolour hand, thanks to a team of of the docks by Edwin Thomas volunteers. This led to a saving of Johns and a prospect of Ipswich in more than £30 in postage. 1741 by Samuel and Nathaniel Buck. The style of the dock picture In this issue we are introducing is very like the work of Squirrel, advertisements from our corporate which is not surprising when you members. know they had the same teacher Mary Halliwell at Ipswich Art School. The

Ipswich Arts Association Discounts

FOIM is a subscribing member of These events will include the the Ipswich Arts Association and Ipswich Civic Concerts, and this entitles its individual members certain ballet and opera events at to discounts on certain events the Ipswich Regent Theatre. The promoted by Ipswich Borough concessions do not extend to other Council. promoted events Paid-up members of societies To obtain these concessions, affiliated to Ipswich Arts please produce a current Association may receive special membership card confirming your offers on some events promoted affiliation to FOIM when booking. by Ipswich Borough Council.

3 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 Chairman’s Letter

Dear Friends Egyptian gallery and spoke to our visitors about future plans. It has been a busy Autumn so far. At the beginning of October, along One of our Council members was with Alan Swerdlow and Ken unable to take part; Siobhan Steel, Wilson, I went to the Annual our Guide Co-ordinator, was busy General Meeting and Conference with her newborn baby, Isaac, a of the British Association of Friends brother for Oliver. We congratulate of Museums in York (see report on Siobhan and her husband, but we page 11). It was very interesting to are sorry that Siobhan's new family meet people from other Friends commitment means she will not be groups from all over the country. able to continue as our Guide Co- York looked wonderful, the ordinator. We would like to thank gardens in full autumn colour; my Siobhan for all her hard work; we only problem was that the busy shall miss her. schedule did not give much time Friday 16 October saw the opening for looking around. I did find a few of an exhibition at Christchurch minutes to visit the Yorkshire Mansion to mark the Centenary of Museum to look at the Roman Felix Thornley Cobbold, without lady’s hair (I have been looking at it whom the people of Ipswich would on and off since the late sixties!) not have been able to enjoy the and the Viking hoard. Mansion or Christchurch Park. Do On 9 October the Friends Council try to get along to follow the trail entertained a group of Friends of showing what Felix’s legacy has Colchester Museums at High done for us. Street Museum. It was a very Well, now there is the Christmas pleasant evening, and many of the Party to think about. I do hope our guests were amazed at the lots of you will be at the party, collection; some did not even know where you will see some of your the museum was there! The Council members taking part in our evening went so quickly that there Seasonal Words and Music was not time to see everything, entertainment. There will, of and many were determined to course, be the usual excellent return. We felt a great pride in festive buffet and good company. I showing our museum and its hope to see you on the 9th collection. Jayne Austin and Philip December - do not forget to get Wise were there; they brought a your tickets. model of the proposed new

4 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 Merry Christmas and a Happy red flower is attached to her dress. New Year to you all. The background is plain pale yellow. In her hands Greta holds Mary Southwood what appears to be a 'cup and ball' game. The composition is pure Mary can be contacted via our and uncomplicated. website (www.foim.org.uk) or Greta has a thoughtful expression; c/o Ipswich Museum, High Street, perhaps she is wondering what will Ipswich IP1 3QH happen next. Her eyes are focussed on something or Our Cover Picture someone over my left shoulder. Mary chose our cover picture, she writes The artist, Anna Airy, was the . granddaughter of Sir George Airy, Greta by Anna Airy (1882-1964) Astronomer Royal. Anna studied can be viewed in the Suffolk Artists at the Slade School of Fine Art Gallery in the Mansion. The picture from 1889 to1903 and won first was purchased with the aid of the prize in three consecutive years. Felix Cobbold Bequest, and is on In 1945 she was appointed display as part of the Felix President of Ipswich Art Club, a Cobbold Trail. post she held for twenty years. Greta shows a young woman on Anna was very influential in the the brink of her adult life. She Ipswich art community and today’s wears a dark grey dress with a art students still compete for the white collar and dark grey beret; a Anna Airy Art Prize.

Peter Berridge’s Column

In the past I have mentioned some museum leading to its overall of the developing ideas around development. There is still a lot to Ipswich Museum and it is time to do and a lot of hurdles to jump over discuss this further as there are but it is certainly becoming more some exciting discussions taking and more of a reality as each day place at the moment. The key passes and you will soon start to issue is that there now seems to be hear a lot more about a real opportunity to acquire the developments in the coming weeks adjacent Art School building to and months. extend the overall footprint of the As I am sure most of you know, the

5 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 current museum building, reconnect it to the museum completed in 1881, combined the buildings. Then a major capital functions of museum, library and scheme will be developed to allow art school. The library was the whole enlarged footprint to be removed in the early 20th century reconnected. This will involve but the Art School and the major bids to bodies such as the Museum continued to, in part, Heritage Lottery Fund and the Arts share premises into the 1970s. Council. Over time the intention is With the closure of the Art School to build up an endowment fund to some thirty years ago not only was help support the future running of an important cultural resource lost the enlarged venue and its artistic but the important artistic link with programme. The enlarged building the museum was severed. Today will focus on a number of key the remaining Ipswich Museum, themes based around the while containing some outstanding important historic stories of Ipswich collections, is now in need of a and the strengths of the museum major redisplay. Also within the collections. These will include: Ipswich collections are important The Cabinet of Curiosities: 20th century art works, some of Enhancing the Victorian Natural which are currently inadequately History Gallery, one of the displayed in Christchurch Mansion. treasures and most popular In addition, in Ipswich, there is a spaces of the current museum will recognised need for a focal point be extended. for contemporary art. On a temporary basis this has in part The Birth of Britain: The evolution been provided by a gallery space of the landscape over millions of in the Town Hall but it is years and the beginning of human recognised that is only a stop gap occupation. and that something longer term is The Origin of England: Reflecting needed. All these issues combine the importance of Ipswich during to provide the impetus for the the foundation of Saxon England current project. and the wealth of material that has There is now a real opportunity to come from excavations in the town provide redeveloped museum and and surrounding areas. art gallery spaces. The 1930s Across the World: Reflecting the northern extension which came to wealth of the world collections of house the bulk of the Art School is Ipswich and the diversity of its currently up for sale and the modern community. intention is to raise the funds to purchase it and once again Flights of Fancy: The world of

6 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 birds using the nationally important works by artists associated with the Ogilvie Bird collection but ‘Benton End Group’ and the incorporating some new ways of Ipswich Art School; and providing a interpretation. venue for artists to work through residencies and studio spaces for The Story of Ipswich: Telling the students. story of the development of Ipswich from medieval to modern times. As I have already stated there are some really exciting discussions Within the Art School element will taking place at the moment over be a major series of gallery spaces th this project so ‘watch this space’. to display 20 century and contemporary art. These galleries Peter Berridge will focus on: Contemporary art of Museum Service Manager national importance; the strengths of the Ipswich Art collection in the Friends News

Lunch Time Talks Full details will be put on our website as soon as they are An enhanced programme of lunch available. Booking will be required. time talks during the spring and Booking forms be included with the autumn has been arranged for next Newsletter. 2010. Mary Hollis & Paul Bruce These will take place at Priory Park (formerly known as Alnesbourne From the Membership Priory). This venue has a modern Secretary conference room, restaurant/bar There has been one new ordinary area with stunning views and good member: Mr G Morris parking. The theme of the talks will be Ipswich in the 18th century. and two new corporate members: Dates confirmed are: The Arlington Brasserie Wednesday 7 April W D Coe Ltd Wednesday 5 May since the last Newsletter. We Wednesday 2 June extend a warm welcome to them All talks will start at noon and will all. be followed by lunch. You will find a subscription renewal form with this Newsletter. Unless

7 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 you have joined since I August There are now over a dozen 2009, or have arranged to pay by guides available to guide visitors standing order, or are a corporate around the Mansion. Last winter a member, I would be grateful if you group of new guides enjoyed a could pay as soon as possible. series of training sessions, which enabled them to take an Barbara Cole increasing role in the guided tours Membership Secretary this summer. They enjoyed it so much they wanted to continue Mansion Guides taster tours on winter Wednesday Our Guides Co-ordinator, Siobhan mornings at 11 am and noon. We Steel feels she needs a break now hope members take the she has two small children to look opportunity to drop into the after. We thank her for the work Mansion at these times and she has done sorting out requests encourage their friends to do the for tours from clubs and societies same. We will be publishing up to as well as the taster tours we offer date details on the FOIM website on Wednesday afternoons during (www.foim.org.uk) throughout the British Summer Time. While a new winter. co-ordinator is being appointed, We are pleased to welcome Gary Kathleen Daniel, Liz Latham and Gasgoyne as a new guide. He will Mary Halliwell will share the duties. be joining us for winter training The guides would also like to sessions. thank Brian Jepson who after ten Liz Latham and Mary Halliwell years of volunteering as a Mansion Guide has decided not to continue.He will be keeping in contact with the guides,helping with their training on the architecture of the house.

8 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 Visit to Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse Museum of Norfolk Life Saturday 22 August 2009 On a lovely Summer’s day a small coach load of Friends visited the Museum of Norfolk Life near Dereham, organised by Alan Swerdlow.

Good weather Great journey Gem of a museum All this contributed to the genuinely unexpected delight of Gressenhall. Gressenhall operated as a workhouse (1776- 1948) and old people’s home in latter years, before becoming a museum and working farm in 1977. The A staff member telling us about Gressenhall workhouse, also known as the ‘People’s Palace’ rudimentary health service. In the initially provided family 1840s there was measles accommodation for people who epidemic and many people died; found themselves destitute for but within Gressenhall no life was health, financial or social reasons. lost as they had access to It housed over 650 people and had medicine. I learnt all this from the 9 live-in staff. Following changes exhibits and an excellent re- in the Poor Law in 1834 new rules enactment by the Friends’ on separation applied, and men, Performance Group. To find out women, young and old were kept more details go to: in isolation from each other and www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk only permitted one hour’s contact It was a joy to have the opportunity per week, on a Sunday. It to reminisce with smells, sounds provided work, lodgings, clean and sights that assaulted your clothes and beds and a medical senses. Standing in the school service; a pre-cursor to a room you could sense all your old 9 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 teachers, hear their voices and relive your childhood misdemeanours. In the laundry you could smell the carbolic soap and feel the sweat trickle down your back. Walking along Village Row and entering the shops you could pick your favourite teas and spices and in the post office I itched to stamp a postal order. Walking around Cherry Tree Cottage you yearned for the simplicity of former years, growing your own vegetables and snuggling up in a feather bed with the embers glowing in the fire The Red Poll Cows place. Yes I am a romantic and I prefer to forget the reality of pneumatic tyres. linoleum on the floor and an Walking past a meadow full of wild outside privy! flowers you arrive at the working farm; old cottages and gardens, black pigs, river walks; working water pumps and ‘cows’ and ‘goats’ to milk, magnificent chestnut cows, pond skaters, lilies and so much more. Any drawbacks - yes. We did not have enough time to see everything; in fact I missed the Admiring the Panhard whole top floor of the museum. Will I return-absolutely! For those of you that couldn’t make this trip I The real surprise of the visit for me would advise you to try and make was the Panhard car; the oldest the short journey (1hour 30 working car in Norfolk, formerly minutes), you will have a good day owned by Charles Royce. It was and as a bonus the food is beautiful, it smelt wonderful, reasonably priced and home leather, oil and grease; the internal cooked. workings were clearly visible, huge chains, pistons, hinges and early Liz Louch

10 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10

‘Challenge & Change’ BAfM Annual Conference and AGM York, 2-4 October 2009 Alan Swerdlow tell us about this year’s British Association of Friends of Museums Conference . In my role as area coordinator for (YMT),who gave many compelling the British Association of Friends reasons for going the trust route of Museums I was in York for the for museum governance, 36th Annual BAfM Conference and explaining that there needs to be a AGM which was well organised by champion to get things started the Friends of York Art Gallery. who must command respect and The first event was a reception at have the energy to progress the the York Art Gallery attended by project. At YMT they negotiated a the Lord Mayor given for around a 10 year inflation-proofed financial hundred delegates. Our Chairman agreement with the City and are Mary Southwood and Ken Wilson, no longer a small player in the our Ipswich Society representative, Council but an independent body also attended the weekend. able to attract new funding. They have fourteen trustees, three of The conference opened at the whom were on the initiation group, historic Hospitium in Museum and also have enterprise and Gardens with an inspiring talk by development boards. An this year’s winner of the Robert alternative to the direction Ipswich Logan award, which goes to the took a few years ago. best presentation by a young museum professional. Jo Rooks Our next presentation was from from the Museum of East Anglian Tony Barnes, Chief Executive of Life spoke about how they have Bradford Council, where they found ways to involve a wide have 67 languages spoken and cross section of people and have 6000 listed buildings. Tony talked worked towards a community in about the broader picture in which people are happy and have Bradford and the opportunities for an increased sense of well-being. tourism and how they are Their volunteers range in age from changing how people respond to 7 to over 80 and work includes the place. The final speaker of the rehabilitation of prisoners and morning was Lord Faulkner of people with disabilities being Worcester, a Government offered skill training. Minister, whose subject was the challenge of free admission. We listened to Janet Barnes, Chief Attracting people and groups who Executive of York Museums Trust would not otherwise visit museums

11 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 which may have been considered building, the Merchant Adventurers elitist and only for the wealthy. An Hall. This hall was one of the open forum followed. venues included in the Pass we had been given provided free After a delicious buffet lunch Dea access to many of York’s historic Birkett talked about Kids in attractions. I only managed to fit in Museums which she set up after five during my visit, but others the response to an article in The stayed on for trips arranged for the Guardian she wrote as a result of Sunday and the Monday. being ordered out of the Royal Academy when her children had Alan Swerdlow been noisily over-enthusiastic about an exhibit. Her manifesto sets out 20 ways for a museum to be family- friendly - you can find the manifesto on their excellent web site www.kidsinmuseums.org.uk If a child appears to misbehave don’t tell them off and leave a negative impression - tell them why, teach them something useful. Dea told us about a project where children were issued with video cameras to film their favourite museum object - one shot the fire hydrants. Why not? - they are prominent objects in the museum, have labels on and are quite as significant as a pile of stones or an unmade bed! Our President Loyd Grossman chaired the AGM and presented the annual Newsletter Awards. Next year’s Conference will be in the Isle of Man. If any FOIM member is interested in attending please let me know. Jim Wight, son of James Herriot, was the guest speaker at the dinner in another historic York

12 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 New Ways to View Gainsborough and Constable Emma Roodhouse tells us about several current exhibitions which include works by Constable and Gainsborough

In the past few months I have had In the exhibition the Constable is my head buried in charcoal and hung besides a large painting of a Cobbolds. Well not literally, but I frosty morning by J M W Turner, have been curating two exhibitions; created a year before The Mill Change in Charcoal: Valerie Irwin Stream, and in the same room as Drawing Demolition at Cranfield's works by Crome and Cotman. It is Flour Mill, in Gallery 3 and the fantastic to see these different Felix Thornley Cobbold depictions of British landscape Centenary Trail at Christchurch painting. Mansion. Both are now open and if There are also contemporary art you haven't been to see them yet I works in the exhibition such as strongly urge you to go and view Tony Cragg's Britain Seen from the diversity of the art collection in the North, made out of colourful Ipswich. plastic pieces of rubbish and a Once you have viewed the new Tracey Emin quilt on loan from displays in Gallery 3 and Tate Britain. This is the first of four Christchurch Mansion, there are exhibitions to kick start the debate also good opportunities to see about what British art has to say works by Gainsborough and about identity and 'Britishness'. Constable in a number of current Lending Constable's Mill Stream temporary exhibitions. painting has also meant we could Exhibitions with Constables display a work by Gainsborough's good friend Joshua Kirby (1716- Great British Art? is an exhibition 1774) in the Wolsey Art Gallery. at Norwich Castle from 24 October Sandpit near Sudbury is a large- 2009 to 10 January 2010. It raises scale landscape painting by Kirby, the question 'what makes great who was also an author and British art'? architect based in Ipswich. He Who could have an exhibition became teacher of perspective and looking at great British art without fortifications to the Prince of Wales an example from Constable? in 1756 and eventually was given Therefore we have lent The Mill the job of working on Kew and Stream, Willy Lott's House Richmond. Gainsborough referred (1814-15), which is usually on to him as 'old friend pudging Josh' display in the Wolsey Art Gallery. and was buried next to him at St

13 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 Anne's, Kew. (1758-1800) in 1779 on seeing her The Norwich exhibition isn't the as Perdita in The Winter's Tale at only display on at the moment to the Drury Lane Theatre. But reunite Turner and Constable. towards the end of 1780, the Tate Britain's Turner & The Prince abandoned her for a rival. Masters (23 September 2009 to The Prince had commissioned the 31January 2010), show places portrait from Gainsborough before beautiful masterpieces by they split up. This painting is on Canaletto, Rubens, Rembrandt permanent display. and Titian next to some of JMW Gainsborough's work can also be Turner's most dramatic paintings. shown with another royal But it also recreates a connection at The Conversation confrontation between Constable Piece: Scenes of Fashionable and Turner which happened at the Life at The Queen's Gallery, Royal Academy in 1832. Buckingham Palace, London, Constable's The Opening of which runs from 30 October 2009 Waterloo Bridge was slightly to 14 February 2010. If you are overshadowed by being hung next familiar with George Frost's copy to Turner's seascape of Gainsborough's Ladies in the Hellevoetsluys. Turner did some Mall, hanging in the Wolsey Art last minute re-touching adding a Gallery, then you will recognise his crimson buoy which led Constable depiction on show of the Duke and to exclaim that: "Turner has been Duchess of Cumberland in St here and fired a gun." James's Park. As this has only just Exhibitions with Gainsboroughs opened I haven't had a chance to view this exhibition yet, but am Gainsborough is also being seen looking forward to seeing such a in new light in two different venues diversity of artists from Zoffany to at the moment. The Wallace Gainsborough. Collection in London is showing a Changes in the Wolsey Gallery recently conserved and cleaner looking full length portrait of Mrs We will also be looking at a new Mary Robinson (Perdita), 1781, a way to see Gainsborough and beautiful portrait. The conservation Constable in the Wolsey Art work has revealed the painting Gallery next year, bringing over art was cut down and a strip of works from Colchester and canvas added from another work. providing more interpretation on The seventeen year old Prince of both artists. But at the moment we Wales (later George IV) became are interested in gathering ideas infatuated with Mrs Robinson and would really like to hear your

14 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 views on what should be included thoughts to in a new display on these two [email protected] artists? What do you think about the layout of the Wolsey Art Gallery? The colour scheme? Or Emma Roodhouse, information you would like on the Art Curator artists? Please forward any

Colin Moss in Gallery 3 From 16 January to 17 April 2010 there will be a display of Colin Moss’s work in Gallery 3 Colin Moss, artist and teacher was Sink group in London. The British born in Ipswich in 1914 and studied Museum, the Tate Gallery Archive, at Plymouth Art College before the Imperial War Museum and the winning a scholarship to the Royal Government Art Collection all own College of Art, London in 1934. In works by Colin Moss. his mid-twenties he worked on A well known and established murals for the British Pavilion at artistic figure in Ipswich, he the New York World Fair and exhibited regularly in the region during the war designed and London. He also became camouflage for the Ministry of renowned for his writing of Defence. In 1947 he became informative reviews in the local senior lecturer at the Ipswich press. This exhibition is a chance School of Art where he taught until to see all of the Ipswich-owned his retirement in 1979. He artworks by the artist Colin Moss. continued to live in Ipswich until his death in 2005. . He founded the “Six in Suffolk” Group in 1976 and became chairman of the Ipswich Art Club from 1980-1982. His works always focused on the ordinary 'person in the street' and objects in our everyday lives. Dustbin, 1960 He was inspired by other artists © Colchester and such as the German Ipswich Museum Expressionists and the Kitchen Service

15 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 Archaeology News Caroline McDonald tells us about two new objects.

The Suffolk Lantern The Lamp from Pompei

Shining a light on Roman dates from around AD 100-300 and Suffolk would have been enclosed by translucent horn – giving it a similar The generosity of people who appearance to a modern day make donations to museums hurricane lamp. A similar lamp was should continue to be celebrated famously found at Pompeii and remind us that belief in the reminding us that the reach of the ‘greater good’ is certainly alive and Roman way of life extended to the kicking in Suffolk! farthest outposts of Empire. I am most indebted to Mr and Mrs Its presence in a field in Suffolk Miller of Acton for their gracious gift might be the first clue to something of a bronze Roman lantern recently far bigger hiding in the landscape – found on their farm land by Mr perhaps a cemetery – and we look Danny Mills, a metal detector user, forward to next year when the who along with his father John, Millers have kindly given was also keen to see the lantern permission for archaeological come into a public collection for the investigation to take place before benefit of local people. next year’s crop. The lantern, though quite plain, is The lamp has been stabilised by an unusual find, being the only our conservator, Emma Hogarth, complete example from Britain. It who will now begin the painstaking

16 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 work of conservation to restore the the extraordinary imagination of lamp and its intricate hanging our medieval ancestors. The chains. Once it is ready to be closest parallel to the artwork is in displayed at the High Street the famous 14th century illuminated Museum (sometime in 2010) we manuscript, the Luttrel Psalter. will invite both the Millers and Mills Loans on Display at St Peter’s to meet the press and unveil their on the Waterfront marvellous discovery and gift to the people of Suffolk. The Museum Service is delighted to be able to give the public the A ‘grotesque’ addition to the opportunity to view three important collections items from the collection. They are being loaned to the Ipswich Historic Churches Trust (IHCT) who will be displaying them at St Peter’s Church, Ipswich. The loan is made more special by the fact that two of the items come from the church and its grounds. Left: Pommel viewed from above The items are: Right: View from one side (enhanced image) A medieval stone coffin that may I am also delighted to report that have belonged to the first the museum has recently acquired abbot of the medieval priory another unusual object from Mr formerly on the site (dug up in Keith Lewis of a bronze medieval the grounds in the late 19th sword pommel found with a metal century). detector at Wetheringsett on land The Knapp family memorial brass, belonging to Mr Tony Alston. The dating to 1604 and celebrating pommel is octahedral in shape, John and Martha Knapp, their about five centimetres high and four sons and eight daughters, dates to between 1300-1400 and that originally was set into the served as a terminal to a sword floor of the church. handle. It is decorated with fascinating images of ‘grotesques’, A fragment of a 12th century that is beasts turning into humans Tournai font (potentially from and vice versa. When it is put on the medieval Augustinian display (perhaps in the Medieval priory that once stood where Mind exhibition at Colchester Christchurch Mansion now Castle, if I can sneak it in!), I do stands) which will sit alongside urge you to come and marvel at the Tournai font in St Peter’s – 17 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 the only other example in IHCT to move the objects from the Ipswich. High Street Museum to their new, temporary home. Such is the importance of these three large stone objects that a Caroline McDonald specialist firm, Cliveden Curator of Archaeology Conservation, has been hired by

A Visitor from the U.S.A. at High Street Museum The Natural History curator found an unusual visitor.

An unexpected visitor from the been accidentally introduced into U.S.A turned up, appropriately, in Europe. This individual was one of the entomology store at High several found in Suffolk this Street Museum on the 8th autumn, probably originating from September last. Staff were across the North Sea. preparing the Morley collection for The bugs often enter buildings to removal to the High Street overwinter, but this one will be Exhibition Gallery when a large staying permanently in the bug appeared from behind one of collection! the cabinets! It was identified as the Western Conifer Seed Bug Jerry Bowdrey, (Leptoglossus occidentalis) – an Senior Curator of Natural History American pest species that has

18 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 Documentation News Joan Lyall tells us about some recent acquisitions Archaeology working in Suffolk and was purchased at a car boot sale by the Since August we have received depositor who realised it deserved into the collections of Ipswich to ‘belong in a museum’. It again Borough Council some exceptional will need conservation but we are objects. Caroline McDonald, I know all enchanted with this as someone has mentioned the Roman bronze has taken a great deal of time to lantern (IPSMG: R.2009.72) and cut and attach newspaper the medieval sword pommel. photographs and headings, hand Although the lantern is still with our make paper flags and finally to trim Conservation Officer, Emma the parasol with red, white and Hogarth, I have seen it and am blue paper. struck by the intricacy of the chains. It is really a fabulous and Paintings unique object and once it is We have already one oil painting cleaned and conserved it will be by Peggy Somerville (1918-1975) passed to me for accessioning Country Lane, Walcheren Island, which I will enjoy undertaking Holland c.1936 which is together with the copper-alloy reproduced on page 139 of “The medieval sword pommel. Public Catalogue Foundation – Oil Commemorative Parasol Paintings in Public Ownership, Suffolk”, and we fortunate to have had donated Snow Scene by Peggy Somerville and Still Life of Flowers by Stuart Somerville. Stuart is Peggy’s brother. The pictures were donated by Stuart’s son, John.

Joan Lyall Documentation Officer

The most quirky recent donation must be a World War II Commemorative parasol which had originally belonged to a land girl

19 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 Museum Service success in 2009 Tourism Awards

Tourism awards are aimed at Christchurch Mansion was a recognising organisations that finalist in the Suffolk Tourism support tourism and provide places Awards in the category for best to enjoy and visit. Whether large attraction. This award is for providing increased national visitor attractions with more than awareness for the local area or 50,000 visitors per annum. simply motivating a community to Colchester Castle was the winner raise its game, the judges look for in the category for best event in innovation and the return on the Essex Tourism Awards for its investment relative to the size of exhibition “Guardians to the King - the organisation. Terracotta Treasures from Ancient Ipswich Museum was the winner China”. Over 20,000 extra visitors of the category for best small came to the Castle over 15 weeks attraction in the Suffolk Tourism to see this unique exhibition. Awards. This award is for visitor Marie Taylor, attractions with less than 50,000 Marketing Officer visitors per annum.

Working with

Michael's Mystery is a new Key in Ipswich. They can access many Stage 2 learning programme at of the museum's vehicles on their Ipswich Transport Museum (ITM), visit, as well as delve into some of which was made possible by the smaller objects within the funding from the East of England museum. Museum Hub. Our Museum Pilot sessions for the programme Service and ITM worked closely were very successful, with all with three local Ipswich school schools taking part giving it a teachers and museum consultant massive thumbs-up. A CD of Lesley Walker to develop a resources and teachers notes can resource that brings to life the be obtained from the Ipswich displays in imaginative ways. Transport Museum, and trips can School children use objects in their be booked on 01473 715666. school, then the resources at the museum to solve a half-century-old Clive Stacey, mystery concerning a bank robbery Education Officer

20 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 Museum Staff News

Customer Service Training Staff away day On 3 August and 11 August the Front of House Team at Ipswich had away days to Buckingham Palace and Mews. This was a team building exercise and the main aim for the days out were to look at a different visitor experience and what was offered by Buckingham Palace and to understand various aspects retail, marketing, working environment, collections, security, learning and much more. The staff have put Congratulations to Wendy May and together brief individual reports on Tony Francis, Museum their learning from the days and Assistants , who have passed and the feedback from the staff was received their award for Customer that a great day was had by all. Excellence as part of the Institute Marlene Moyes, of Customer Service. The whole Visitor Services Manager emphasis of the of the ICS awards is upon self-development and recognition of the great customer Future Jobs Fund service which is already being The East of England Museum Hub carried out. This award takes has secured £195,000 from the around 4-6 months to complete. Department for Work and Pensions This is a fantastic achievement and to create 30 new jobs, including puts the customer at the heart of apprenticeships, in the Eastern what we do. Both candidates Region. thoroughly enjoyed the experience and are advocates of the award Young people have been and of the experience this has disproportionately affected by the given them. recession and this funding, called Future Jobs Fund “Stepping Saskia Stent, Stones”, will offer real six-month, Duty Officer paid jobs in museums across the region.

21 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 Colchester and Ipswich Museum work in the future. The Service Service will be offering four jobs to benefits by having young people young people between the ages of working in the museums who may 18 and 24: two will be in front of not have ordinarily considered a house customer services, one in career in museums. marketing and one in design. Lynette Burgess, It is hoped that the work Learning and Marketing Manager experience and skills and knowledge gained will help the young people to find permanent

How the Shield was Found This is the story of how two Friends helped to find the mislaid shield.

In Spring 2006 we used a drawing disappeared during the restoration of the Park Gate by one of our project. He realised that our front members, Dr Rosario Zinna, as cover could help. our front cover. After Dr Zinna supplied a copy of the drawing, the Park staff found the shield and it is once more securely fixed to the gate.

In May 2009 another member, Ken Wilson, was at a meeting of the Christchurch Park Management Board. There he heard that the shield which used to be fixed to the main park gate had

22 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 A new book: Suffolk Lace and the Lacemakers of Eye, Nicky Höwener-Townsend One of our members has written a book on Suffolk lace which another lacemaking Friend, Pip Thompson has read. patterns. Definitely an excellent book to add to any lacemaker’s collection.” Available from: Nicky Höwener-Townsend, Seahaven, 7 Beaconsfield Road, Kessingland, Suffolk NR33 7RD Tel/Ans: 01502 742274 e-mail: [email protected] A4 Paperback - 119 Pages includes 39 point ground lace patterns, £18 per copy plus P&P (please confirm postage before ordering, cheques with order)

Nicky Höwener-Townsend has recently published a book on Suffolk lace. Nicky leads Waveney Lacemakers as well as belonging to national and international lace organisations. Nicky spent nine years researching her book. She studied lace samples in the Victoria and Albert Museum and Ipswich Museum and the local census returns for lacemakers. Pip Thomson’s opinion was: “This is an interesting and absorbing history of lace making in Suffolk, especially Eye. It is well illustrated and includes a great many photographs of lace samples and

23 FOIM Newsletter - Winter 2009/10 FOIM COUNCIL 2009-2010 President: Gay Strutt Vice-Presidents: Paul Bruce, Alan Swerdlow Chairman: Mary Southwood Vice-Chairman: Jeremy Latham (Webmaster) Secretary: Kathleen Daniel, 37 Parkwood, 11 Henley Road, Ipswich IPl 3SE, 01473 225429 Treasurer: David Kergon Membership & Social Secretary: Barbara Cole, 35 Pownall Road, Ipswich IP3 0DN 01473 287716 Newsletter Editor: Mary Halliwell, e-mail: [email protected] IAA Representative: Ferial Evans Ipswich Society Representative: Ken Wilson Co-opted Member: Stuart Curtis Ex-officio Member: Peter Berridge, Colchester and Ipswich Museums Manager Any correspondence, except where indicated, should be sent to: FOIM, c/o Ipswich Museum, High Street, IPSWICH IP1 3QH All Council Members can be contacted via our Website: www.foim.org.uk

FOIM CORPORATE MEMBERS

The Arlingtons Brasserie The Linden School of Music AXA Insurance plc. Notcutts Nurseries Ltd Barnes Construction Ryan Insurance Group Belvedere Reproductions Stan Gaskin W D Coe Ltd. Suffolk New College Dummett Copp Titchmarsh & Goodwin Fred Olsen Ltd Watson & Hillhouse Ltd East of England Co-operative Society Ipswich Building Society

Newsletter Published by The Friends of the Ipswich Museums Registered Charity Number: 275527

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