The Weaver's House

Tag: bee keeping

  • News: May 13 Open Day: Crafts & Old May Day!

    News: May 13 Open Day: Crafts & Old May Day!

    A-Maying we will go! Our next Open Day for May will be on Saturday 13 May, which is ‘Old May Day’.*

    In recognition of this, the theme will give a nod to the old tradition of ‘ales’ – fundraising events which took place at this time of year towards upkeep of the parish church. “As the name suggests, this was a day of merry-making, with food, drink, dancing and games.” *

    The Open Day will therefore include some medieval cake to taste and a guest stall from Byatt’s Brewery alongside the usual homemade cake.

    In addition to this there will be an emphasis on crafts and the garden with additional guests including woodcarving, beekeeping and willow-weaving (beekeeping afternoon from 1pm only UPDATE 13/05/17 we regret that the beekeeper is unable to join us today). There will be a children’s trail, all about the growth in springtime. Plus we’ll be continuing with our weaving project on the table loom.

    Woodworking on a piece of wood still with bark

    a man holding up a hand woven basket bee hive skep

    We’ll be open from 11am -4pm. As usual, admission is free, but in the spirit of the ‘ales’ donations are very much appreciated. If you would like to donate your time, we are always looking for new volunteers!

    May we see you there?

    * The English Year by Steve Roud, 2006, Penguin

  • A look back over the year

    A look back over the year

    We’ve had a busy year! Back in April, the first open day of the year saw a record number of visitors for a season opener; and the good numbers continued throughout. In May, the Spon Spun Festival celebrated the art of storytelling with one of the events being performed in the garden of The Weaver’s House.

    We had our special heritage crafts event in June. Trades from the past were brought to life in the authentic setting of the house and garden with guests including Coventry Beekeepers Association, Warwickshire Art & Craft Circle and of course the Coventry Branch of The Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers and Weavers’ Workshop. Not to mention the Heritage Cake Company who provided a tearoom full of delights such as Coventry Godcakes and Coventry Corporation Custard.

    It’s also been a busy year in the garden with some rearranging of the beds and growing skirret for the first time. We’ve had visitors with a close connection to the house, and visitors from all across the country and beyond.

    The open day season closed with a hugely successful Heritage Open Days weekend in September with near to 400 visitors. Throughout the year our dedicated team of volunteers have provided private guided tours for groups including schools, the Workers Educational Association, Earlsdon Walkers and many more.

    We’ve also been laser-scanned, discovered weaving-themed public art, and explored other restored medieval buildings in Coventry.

    All this and that’s not even including the Weavers’ Workshops amazing creation,  featuring in this great film about Coventry’s history and even getting a look on Pokemon Go.

    And of course all the cakes we made – and ate! We haven’t been brave enough to try frumenty though…

    We’re looking forward to next year in which we celebrate the tenth anniversary of being open to the public. In the meantime there is loads to do in Coventry over the festive period. Enjoy the city.

    Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

     

     

  • Open Day still buzzing despite the rain

    Open Day still buzzing despite the rain

    A group of people cluster around a table
    Visitors examining the display hive

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Guests at the Heritage Crafts Open Day in June included a hive full of bees courtesy of Coventry Beekeepers Association who also demonstrated the crafts of skep-making (traditional bee hive) and candle rolling.

    The Weavers’ Workshop used a lucet – a traditional tool –  to make simple braids which were used to make a children’s trail around the site.  They also made inkle braids – narrow strips used for belts and straps.

    Two women study a flat woollen braid
    Demonstrating inkle braids

    Warwickshire Art & Craft Circle provided woodcarving and patchworking and the Coventry Branch of The Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers were on hand to demonstrate spinning.

    All this and a tearoom full of heritage cakes as well – which was empty by the end of the day!

    The crafts day was judged to be a success despite some showery weather and it is hoped to run a similar event next year.

    In the meantime The Weaver’s House will be open again on Saturday 9 July from 11am until 4pm.

     

  • News: Heritage Crafts Open Day – update 9/6

    News: Heritage Crafts Open Day – update 9/6

    We enjoyed seeing a different side of Coventry’s heritage celebrated last weekend as Motofest took over the city. Being so close to the ringroad we could hear the cars zooming around and it was great to see so many vintage cars in the city too.

    On to this weekend and we’re looking forward to our crafty friends coming along to demonstrate skills of the past. As usual we’re open from 11am – 4pm on Saturday. We won’t be running scheduled tours this weekend as there will be so much going on, but our guides will be in hand to answer any questions and chat about the history of the site.

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    Skep making
    A skep in progress
    A skep in progress

    Among our guests are Coventry Beekeepers Association who will be showing the crafts of skep-making and candle rolling as well as talking about care of the bees themselves.

    A lucet - a small tool for braiding with a v shaped end and hole in the middle
    Lucet for braiding
    Flat braided wool
    Inkle braids

    The Weavers’ Workshop will be demonstrating using a lucet to make simple braids and also showing examples of inkle braids – narrow strips used for belts and straps. They have also made some braids for a children’s trail to spot around the house and garden, pick up a sheet from the activity centre to join in.

    There will also be woodcarving, patchworking and spinning as well as heritage recipe cakes.

    Update: the patchworkers will be demonstrating from 11.30-2pm approx.

    Make a weekend of it – Electric Railway Museum are also open, there’s the Festival of Fun, and the Charterhouse has a garden party to celebrate the Queen’s 90th on the Sunday. Lots more going on in Coventry throughout June to look forward to including Coventry Pride, Hillfields Community Festival and this walking tour of public art – enjoy the city!

     

     

     

  • News: Guests confirmed for June’s Heritage Crafts Day

    News: Guests confirmed for June’s Heritage Crafts Day

    We’re delighted to announce that the confirmed guests for our Craft Day on Saturday 11 June are

     

    • Coventry Beekeepers Association
    • Weavers’ Workshop
    • The Heritage Cake Company
    • Coventry Branch of The Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers
    • Warwickshire Art & Craft Circle

    The Warwickshire Art & Craft Circle will be demonstrating woodcarving and textile crafts and Coventry Beekeepers Association will be on hand to discuss the traditional art of beekeeping. Other skills on show will include braiding and spinning, provided by the Weavers’ Workshop and the Coventry Branch of The Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.

    Even the refreshments will be historical, available from The Heritage Cake Company – though we will also have our usual non-medieval tea, coffee and squash. We’ll also have some music, dressing up clothes and the chance to try your hand at traditional wattling (how the Weaver’s House was made).

    Come and see trades which would have been familiar to medieval people brought to life against the authentic medieval backdrop of The Weaver’s House and its garden.