The Weaver's House

Tag: pokemon go

  • 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.

     

     

  • Other Places from the Past: All Saints’ Church, Allesley

    Other Places from the Past: All Saints’ Church, Allesley

    November 1 is All Saints‘ Day, also known as All Hallows’ Day – being the day after Halloween (All Hallows Eve).

    An appropriate day then, to have a look at another local gem, All Saints’ Church in Allesley Village. We explored the church when it was open for Heritage Open Days this year, where we had a warm welcome and some delicious cake.

    a child entering the church door
    Ready to explore

    The church dates originally from the twelfth century, although is primarily a thirteenth century building. It is made of red sandstone like St Catherine’s Well, featured in this earlier post.

    The spire in Early English style.
    The spire in Early English style.

    If you have time to explore, you will be able to seek out the remains of the early chapel in the south arcade area, spot fourteenth century additions, Victorian redesigning and modern roofing – this is a building which has served a community for a very long time and has been developed accordingly.

    There was plenty to see inside; a stone and marble font, a war memorial to local soldiers and some Victorian-era stained glass, amongst many other features. The church was heavily ‘restored’ in the 1860s which means some of the original aspects have been lost.

    There are also numerous mice to spy all around the church – of the carved wooden kind!

    carved wooden mouse
    Mouseman furniture in All Saints’ Church.

    Old stained glass and a modern take.

    Colourful modern details and a cheerful children’s corner.

    The churchyard with yew trees.
    The churchyard with large yew trees.

    There is plenty to see at the church, interesting from social history and church architecture points of view, and it’s even a Pokemon Go gym as well.

    Find out more about All Saints’ Church here.

  • Come and Poke around…

    Come and Poke around…

    Unless you have been living on a desert island or a cave over the past few weeks, it’s likely that you are aware of the phenomenon that is Pokemon Go.

    The cute creatures have been around since the ’90s in one form or another, but have received a massive resurgence in popularity since the release of the augmented reality game. Players use their smartphone to interact with the free-to-play game, which integrates with real world locations, and that’s where the connection with heritage properties comes in.

    The Weaver’s House is right next to a Pokestop.

    Pokestops and Pokemon Gyms are generally located at real world places of interest, which means that they are easy for players to access. Many people are discovering interesting features of their neighbourhood through playing the game and visiting places they wouldn’t usually go. BBC – Pokemon Go: Churches encouraged to welcome visiting players.

    A Drowsee outside The Weaver's House
    A Drowzee outside The Weaver’s House

    If you are already on a mission to catch ’em all, why not pop by on an Open Day. You can visit the Pokestop next door and explore The Weaver’s House too. Will you find a Lapras by the loom, or a Goldeen in the garden? Or perhaps a Charmander with your coffee and cake – our tearoom is ready for action on Open Days for some real life refuelling!

    Don’t forget this September we’ll be open for TWO days for Heritage Open Days, along with lots more brilliant local attractions.