Wordcraft and Woodcraft
During our August Open Day we were delighted to host special guests author Sarah Thornton and Coventry Woodcarvers. We were also visited by the Lord Mayor Cllr Rachel Lancaster and her daughter daughter Meridith in the role of Lord Mayor’s Consort, which made the day even more special.
The Lord Mayor delivered a generous speech of appreciation for our wonderful volunteer Gill Yardley for her years of service to the city. A dedicated volunteer (to various other organisations in addition to The Weaver’s House) Gill is stepping away from volunteering duties, as we come to the end of our open day season. Both Gill and her famous cakes will be much missed on Open Days. The Lord Mayor spent time looking around the site and also met our guest author Sarah Thornton, coincidentally they both have family connections to the silk weaving industry.
Sarah Thornton kindly gave a special talk just for us; Steam, Strife, and Survival: The Coventry Weavers’ Riot of 1831.
Sarah’s great great great grandfather was silk weaver, Thomas Burbury, accused of being the ringleader in the great riot of 1831. Thomas lived in Spon End about half a mile from where the riot took place, somewhere close to where The Weaver’s House stands. Sarah’s gripping talk shone a light on this less-known chapter of Coventry’s history.
The woodcarvers and some of their incredible creations.
We welcomed visitors from Australia, Portugal, Hong Kong, Italy, the USA and Greece.
Our final Open Days are part of the Heritage Open Day 2025 festival on Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 September. The full details for all Coventry venues taking part can be found here.
