The Weaver's House

Tag: public art

  • Coventry’s Hidden Gems

    Coventry’s Hidden Gems

     

    During the lockdown, we are very much missing welcoming visitors to our little medieval house and sharing its history. Our visitors often describe the house as a “hidden gem”, which they are delighted to discover, sometimes having passed close by for years without realising what is inside.

    We are also missing enjoying the other wonderful places to explore and enjoy in Coventry. Whilst we are in lockdown, we thought we would highlight some of these great places – celebrate memories and look forward to at some point being able to visit again.

    To begin with, we’ve chosen five other places we think of as being or containing ‘hidden gems’:

    1. Lanchester Interactive Archive. This fascinating space presents the legacy of engineering genius Frederick Lanchester. Delve into the archive and see blueprints, sketchbooks, notes and correspondence. You can use augmented reality steering wheels to bring it all to life and even sit in a Lanchester car! The archive is inside Frederick Lanchester Library on Gosford Street, so when it is possible to visit again, you’ll need to sign it at their reception desk first, you can find full details here. In the meantime, there is plenty to look at online.
      an ipad with a wooden wheel frame is held over an old photo, revealing interactive details
      One of the interactive ‘steering wheels’, held over a photograph, brings details to life.

       

    2. Quarry Gardens, Russell’s Garden Centre. There’s already lots to enjoy on site including a truly great cafe, light railway, and the garden centre itself, but it is easy to miss the entrance to the Quarry Gardens, a beautiful landscaped area, river walk and maze. A true secret garden, at the moment you can visit it virtually with this walkthrough video:

       

    3. ‘Doom’ Painting, Holy Trinity Church. A building with an impressive history, dating back to the twelfth century, if you have never had the chance to visit, it’s definitely one for the must-do list. The guides are friendly and extremely knowledgeable, there is a children’s trail and lots of interesting details, including the astonishing ‘Coventry Doom‘ which was painted before The Weaver’s House was built! The years had taken their toll on the painting, but it was spectacularly restored in 2004. Whilst the church is closed, you can take a 360 tour here.
      Christmas trees in a large church
      Each year the church holds a Christmas Tree Festival.

       

    4. St John’s Church, Spon Street. We’ve looked in detail before at some of the many intriguing features of this historic church. It repays a return visit as you are certain to notice something new each time, and be certain to ask one of the guides to point out some of the details such as a window that looks onto a blank wall and a door covered with ‘Green Men’. Definitely one to visit after the lockdown, as hidden away from view is a newer built area which houses the tearoom, open on selected days. It’s easy to forget that you are right in the heart of the city centre, when this is the view:
    5. Sculpture Trail, University of Warwick campus. More ‘hidden in plain sight’ this one, as the sculptures are dotted all around the campus landscape. Whether you wander randomly or pick up a trail map to follow and find out more about each artwork, there is plenty to explore when the campus reopens to visitors. You can find out more about the sculptures here.
      Days of Judgement, Cat 1.

      So, there’s our first batch of hidden gems! We would love to hear about your hidden gems for when we can go exploring again. Please share your ideas with us.

  • News: Open Days in 5, 4, 3, 2…

    News: Open Days in 5, 4, 3, 2…

    This Saturday, 14 April, will be the very first Open Day this year! We open at 11am and close at 4pm, so pop by and see us any time, though we recommend arriving by at least 3.30pm to have a look around.  We’ll be honest, there may well be no homemade cake left by then!

    We are a compact site so it is possible to drop in and have a quick look around but many visitors stay a good while longer delving into the history of the house and chatting to our knowledgeable volunteers. In fact, that’s how many of our volunteers got started, by attending an Open Day and being drawn in to the fascinating story of the life and times of this singular little house.

    If after your visit, you are interested in finding out more about becoming a volunteer you can find a brief overview here. Who knows, if you really love the house, you might even like to move in! (We currently have one of our flats available to rent, these do not come up very often, details are here.)

    If you are visiting us and heading in from Coventry city centre, be sure to check out a couple of things along the way…

    New art installation The Bench of Unity:

    A three seater bench representing three seated figures in silhouette; one with short bobbed hair, one with a brimmed hat and one with a hijab.

    Find this bench right at the top of Spon Street, before heading into the subway through to The Weaver’s House.

    New Post-It comments as part of the Spon End Subway Consultation:

    You will spot these as you make your way through the subway, as we did a few weeks ago. We’re liking the suggestion of a history mural, yes please! There’s lots more to enjoy on your way to or from visiting us, take a look at some nearby public art, see the ruined medieval chapel and the Sherbourne.

    This particular Open Day enjoy a perfect pairing of events with a visit to us followed by an exhibition of handwoven textile artworks by Coventry based weaver, Theo Wright. This exhibition takes place at the CET Building, less than ten minutes walk from us, and runs until 21 April.

    See you there!

     

  • Wellington Memorial Gardens Public Art

    Wellington Memorial Gardens Public Art

    There’s lots of historical interest to see in Coventry, including the area very local to The Weaver’s House. As well as the ruined chapel and Spon Bridge, you can also see this rather later addition to the area:

    From The Weaver’s House on Upper Spon St, cross the road and turn left, walking to where Upper Spon Street joins Windsor Street. Turn right onto Windsor Street and walk a little way down and you will be able to turn right into the pedestrianised area of Wellington Memorial Gardens.

    Incised stone plaque depicting birds in flight and inscribed text

    The gardens were named in tribute to the people of New Zealand who contributed to the Lord Mayor of London’s National Air Raid Distress Fund in 1947.  The fund was used to build the gardens and small collection of bungalows designed by city architect Donald Gibson. This plaque, made of Hoptonwood stone was originally part of a community building which was demolished in 2011. The bungalows and garden area still remain.

    The text on the plaque reads:

    “These homes for aged persons were built with the aid of the Lord Mayor of London’s National Air Raid Distress Fund to which the people of the Commonwealth generously contributed.” It is dated December 1951.

    Incised stone plaque depicting birds in flight and inscribed text

    The plaque was designed by Walter Ritchie, whose work can also be seen in Coventry on the outside of The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum (two large stone reliefs called Man’s Struggle) and in the Belgrade Theatre (a carved wooden dove located on the foyer stairwell).

    You can read more about Walter Ritchie on the Coventry Society website. 

    Read more about Donald Gibson here.

  • Three more sleeps until Heritage Open Days!

    Three more sleeps until Heritage Open Days!

    Well, technically it’s only two until the festival begins but we are open from Friday so that’s when we’re counting it!

    Here’s a handy summary of what’s happening here at The Weaver’s House:

    We’re open 10 – 4pm on each day. Our suggested last admission time is 3.30pm.

    Please note that the Solar room containing the loom is not accessible during Heritage Open Days. 

    Friday 8: This is a ‘Reduced’ Open Day, and we won’t have any demonstrations happening, but guides will be on hand to answer questions. A great opportunity to avoid the rush! Please note that we are not serving refreshments on Friday but our neighbours at the Oasis Cafe over the road will be open from 12. The cafe is newly refurbished so pop in and check it out!

    Saturday 9 and Sunday 10: Our regular Open Days run over the weekend to celebrate both Heritage Open Days and the end of a great 2017 season! We’re joined by special guests The Heritage Pantry (previously known as The Heritage Cake Company) providing tasty treats.

    Sunday only: At 11am our weaving project will be cut from the table loom and there will be an opportunity to view the completed cloth throughout the day as part of the Spon Spun Art Trail. Also featured in the Art Trail is Keith Watts’s new painting of The Weaver’s House which will be shown at The Old Dyer’s Arms. This is just a few minutes walk from The Weaver’s House itself, crossing the Spon Bridge over the River Sherbourne. The Art Trail starts at 12.

    We’re delighted to be taking part in Coventry’s Heritage Open Day family trail so you can pick up a form from us and join in the fun. There’s so much going on in Coventry for Heritage Open Days this year, check out the list of venues here.

    If you pick up or download a brochure, you’ll spot that it’s colour coded to help you pick out which venues are nearby, to help plan your day. We’re in the green zone – see you there!

     

  • Our ‘Coventry Blue’ will be revealed during Heritage Open Days

    Our ‘Coventry Blue’ will be revealed during Heritage Open Days

    If you’ve been along to one of our Open Days this year, or follow us online, you will have spotted our 10 year anniversary weaving project, to create a new version of the famous ‘Coventry Blue’ woven cloth.

    Throughout this year, visitors to The Weaver’s House have contributed to this hands-on weaving project, run by the Weavers’ Workshop. We’re excited that the cloth that has been woven by many people during this year will be cut from the loom at 11am on Sunday 10 September during Heritage Open Days. As we unfurl the cloth, it will be the very first opportunity to see how it turned out – so if you’ve had a go, pop along and see the completed cloth that you have been part of!

    The weaving on the loom

    Sara from the Weavers’ Workshop explained the background to the project:

    “In medieval times, when the house was built, Coventry was a centre for the weaving trade and the city was best known for its fine blue cloth,  “Coventry Blue”. Our project used Coventry Blue as a starting point and was intended to give visitors an opportunity to see the magic of the woad dyeing process and have a go at ‘hands on’ loom weaving, to see for themselves what weaving entails.”

    “We began with woad dyeing the wool on the first Weaver’s House Open Day of the year. The wool was then put on a warping mill to create the correct lengths of yarn needed to warp up a portable table loom, all this before cloth weaving could start. The Weavers’ Workshop wonder whether this is the first sample of “Coventry Blue” cloth woven in the city in 450 years. As no one really knows what the original Coventry Blue looked like or the processes involved in its making,  it’s our very own 21st century interpretation!”

    a child watches a loom demonstration

    The loom has also been out and about at events including the Lunt Roman Festival to give even more people an opportunity to weave a little bit of The Weaver’s House history. After the cutting ceremony, the piece of cloth will be displayed at the house as part of the Spon Spun Art Trail which runs from 12 – 4pm on Sunday 10 September. There will be further opportunities to see the cloth in the future.

    Five facts about the famous historical ‘Coventry Blue’:

    • The fine blue cloth was dyed and woven in Coventry and exported to the continent.
    • The blue colour was derived from woad, an unpromising looking green plant related to the cabbage family. Woad is a vat dye and requires a complex chemical process to create the conditions in which cloth can be dyed blue.
    • No one knows what colour the historical Coventry Blue looked like as no samples have ever been identified or dye recipe discovered.
    • The woad dye was imported from the south of France as the sunny climate ensured a higher concentration of blue dyestuff in the plant.
    • Coventry Blue cloth was highly sought after due to the non-fading quality of its blue colour and is believed to be the basis of the phrase True as Coventry Blue or True Blue meaning steadfastness.

    The completion of the weaving project rounds off a highly successful year for us – we’ve had large numbers of visitors enjoying our Open Days season including memorable days celebrating Easter, May Day and our 10th anniversary – but it’s not over yet!

    For the first time ever, we’ll be open on the Friday of Heritage Open Days with a ‘Reduced’ Open Day on 8 September (there’s no refreshments or demonstrations, but a great opportunity to have a quieter look around the house and talk to guides).

    Then we have Open Days on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September with refreshments supplied by The Heritage Pantry (formerly The Heritage Cake Company) alongside spinning and weaving. Please note that the solar (upstairs room containing the loom) will not be open for Heritage Open Days.

    group of visitors in the garden

    Opening times are 10am – 4pm. Admission is free and no booking is necessary. These are our last Open Days this year, so we hope to see you there!

    Have you tried making Coventry Blue cloth? Get in touch!

    Read more about Coventry Blue and woad dyeing.

    Main pic: Ingrid from Weavers’ Workshop

  • Where can you spot weaving references in Coventry?

    Where can you spot weaving references in Coventry?

    Last year we looked at a piece of public art created by Derek Fisher, which references Coventry’s textile industry.

    There are little references to weaving and textiles dotted around Coventry, for example in public art and architecture. Here are a few to begin with (do you recognise them all?)

    a green conical spindle embossed with images of sun and Coventry buildings

    This one is called Thread Through Time and is located in the Bull Yard.

    a bridge over the ringroad with blue arch

    The blue arches on this bridge are reminiscent of ribbons… in the shade of Coventry Blue?

    an incised picture of a loom on stone

    This incised carving of a loom is on a pillar in the Precinct, but do you know whereabouts?

    a child walking on a strip of blue gravel

    Does this looping strip of blue path represent a ribbon, or is it the Sherbourne? Both play a role in Coventry’s textile heritage.

    There are more of course and doubtless some that we haven’t seen – please do share your pics (all images will be credited) and help us build a picture of where and when Coventry’s weaving heritage has been celebrated! Public art, buildings, street names… a wander around on the upcoming Heritage Open Days would be the ideal place to start…

     

     

     

    Photos: The Weaver’s House

  • 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.

     

     

  • News: Weavers’ work recognised by a Lady and a Queen.

    News: Weavers’ work recognised by a Lady and a Queen.

    The Weavers’ Workshop recently received thanks from both an eleventh century noblewoman and a twenty-first century queen.

    Lady Godiva, embodied by Pru Poretta, presented the Weavers with a Certificate of Appreciation for their contribution to the tapestry depicting Coventry’s history. The presentation ceremony for all the contributors to the tapestry was held at St Osburgs Hall.

    ww-lady-godiva-certificate

    The tapestry – all of it – is currently on display at St John’s Church on Spon Street. It is best to check ahead before making a special visit as it will have to be moved before the church is decorated for Christmas as it is where they display the Nativity scene.

    coventry-history-tapestry
    The tapestry was too big to fit into the photo.

    The Weavers also received a card from Buckingham Palace thanking them for the card they created for HRH Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday.

    ww-hrh-letter

    To find out more about the Weaver’s Workshop visit their website here.

  • One Thousand Years of Coventry History – Part 2

    One Thousand Years of Coventry History – Part 2

    Grab a cup of tea or some popcorn and settle down because we’ve got plenty for you to watch!

    Our earlier post featured the tapestry panel created by the Weavers’ Workshop with details of how it was created. It has now been added to the completed tapestry depicting the last one thousand years of Coventry’s history. On Friday 9 September it featured in celebrations to mark the thousand years which included a procession, performances and ceremony in the Cathedral. More information about the occasion and background to the project can be found at www.ladygodiva.org.uk.

    Some of the procession can be viewed at the start of this video on YouTube and also here.

    The Weaver’s House and the Weavers’ Workshop both feature in a new film documentary called 1000 Years of Coventry by Culturae Mundi.

    You can see all the panels from the tapestry in the video as well as interviews with Adrian from The Weaver’s House and members of the Weavers’ Workshop, as well as showing much more of Coventry’s culture. We’re delighted to have been involved in this fantastic film. Happy viewing!

  • Coventry’s weaving past threads through the city

    Coventry’s weaving past threads through the city

    Coventry’s weaving history is represented in art at various places across the city. But you may have missed this one simply by not realising its significance as you zipped along Phoenix Way* (A444).

    Phoenix Way was built in the 1990s along the route of a disused railway line. The detailed patterns in the 8 metre high walls on either side of the road represent the silk weaving trade which Coventry was famous for.

    In fact, the patterns are specifically based on silk ribbons in the collection of The Herbert museum in Coventry.

    Patterns formed by different coloured bricks in a wall.
    The brickwork was constructed in 1997.
    Patterns formed by different coloured bricks in a wall.
    The three vertical patterns represent the three spires of Coventry.

    The brick patterns were the work of Derek Fisher and were commissioned by Coventry City Council as part of the building of Phoenix Way. Derek Fisher was a town planner and urban designer whose other projects in Coventry included the design of the Binley Business Park, a canal bridge and elements of Longford Square.

    Patterns formed by different coloured bricks in a wall.
    Over 1.5 million bricks form the patterns in the brickwork.
    Patterns formed by different coloured bricks in a wall.
    The artwork is 2.2km long.

    See the brick patterns as they were designed to be seen, from a a moving car.

    So next time you find yourself along Phoenix Way, remember that Coventry’s history is literally built into its present.

    Can you think of other references to weaving represented in public spaces in Coventry? Let us know…

    *UPDATED 2017: Phoenix Way has now been renamed Jimmy Hill Way in honour of the football legend.

    References: Public Sculpture of Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull by George Noszlopy (Liverpool University Press, 2003).

    With thanks to Jenny Fisher.