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A Cotswold Tour – the Master’s Outing
The Master and his wife Alison, seated, with the group enjoying the autumnal sunshine
The Master picked three of the finest days of the year for his 2015 outing. A group of 32 members and guests enjoyed sunshine and shirtsleeve temperatures for a tour which criss-crossed the beautiful Cotswold countryside – a land of picture postcard mellow stone architecture and open space which it is easy to forget exists.
The Master and his wife Alison, assisted by the Clerk Jonny Westbrooke and Events Manager Sally Kent, put together a tour reflecting their own interests in the development of furniture
The scene was set when the majority of the party met in the Lygon Arms in Broadway. This typical medieval inn has its own rich history dating from Cromwell to the present day. Here members renewed old acquaintances and struck up new friendships over an opening lunch. We were fortunate to be joined by Past Master Ray Leigh, who as a Gordon Russell designer was well placed to introduce us to the work and socialist ambitions of Russell.
Ray hosted the afternoon visit to the Gordon Russell Design Museum where many of us were pleased to see examples of designs such as the Utility furniture and radio cabinets we remembered from our youth. The afternoon was completed with a visit to the Ashmolean Museum in Broadway, a fine Tudor house, worth a visit as architecture, but, while containing some interesting displays, we felt would benefit from period recreation of domestic life.
Driving on to our hotel in Burford, the Elizabethan “Bay Tree Hotel”, a convivial evening was spent with an informal dinner and time at the bar where all the world problems were solved in quick time!
Next morning dawned brightly and following breakfast Jonny, with military efficiency, split the group into two coachloads for the day. Although it was similar to herding cats the arrangement worked well as the venues we were visiting could devote more attention to smaller groups.
Kelmscott Manor, built around 1600, became William Morris’s country retreat for the last 25 years of his life. Currently owned by the Society of Antiquaries of London it is a treasure trove of Arts and Crafts Collections and our time there with a knowledgeable guide was all too brief.
Following lunch at the Manor House Inn, Moreton-in-the-Marsh, we moved on to Court Barn in Chipping Camden, where we were introduced to the history of the town and the migration of craftsmen from the East End of London to the Cotswolds at the beginning of the 20th century.
A local guide took us on a walking tour of the town where virtually every building is listed and has a story to tell. The day finished in the workshops of Hart silversmiths using the buildings originally housing Ashbee’s workshops. Early photos compared with today’s workspace showed little had changed. Invoices are still filed on ceiling-hung hooks and fine craftsmanship still results from period hand tools.
Back at the Bay Tree Hotel, reserved for our exclusive use for the evening, we prepared for a splendid black tie dinner preceded by a champagne reception. The Master, in his address, spoke of the theme of the visits, reflecting his personal interest in the period furniture we were seeing. Replying, John Makepeace spoke of the importance of the Cotswold influence on his own career and today’s furniture industry.
The next day we visited the Jacobean Chastleton House, built in the early 17th century and virtually unchanged since. No furniture has been added by the National Trust and conservation policy over restoration means the house offers a unique glimpse into the declining fortunes of a once wealthy family. Even the cobwebs and the milk stains left by the final owner’s cluster of cats bear witness to life in the home barely touched by the last 400 years.
Returning to the Lygon Arms for a final lunch all agreed that the seeds had been sown for individual return visits. Warm thanks were extended to David and Alison for planning and hosting a superb few days of interesting venues and good companionship.
Gil Carter, Liveryman
For photographs of the outing click here.