BAFM MEMBERS NEWS - 8
Future of the Mill
Friends of Upminster Windmill
There has been much speculation by members of the Friends and by The Upminster Windmill Preservation Trust as to the future of this mill. Essential maintenance work has been continuously carried out by a dedicated and skilled team of volunteers. In 2007 one pair of sails broke and London Borough of Havering replaced them but they were left to repair and paint the two existing sails so that they matched the new ones. But the time came when it was necessary to have an in depth detailed assessment.
The Report was published recently and showed that a comprehensive scheme of repairs could return the mill to as near its 1803 new condition as possible. Chairman Dennis Coombs said that a careful and precise repair plan carried out by a combined team of professional and volunteer workers could bring the mill’s machinery back to life using wind power. Other work could include the creation of restoration and pre-emptive maintenance workshops, educational facilities and the reinstating of a Victorian garden.
All this would cost in excess of £1 million depending on the options chosen, but the Report provides a sound basis on which to plan the fund raising. The Upminster Windmill is one of the finest surviving smock mills in England, and the most complete and original windmill in the Greater London area.
[Spring 2012]
NEW MUSEUM FOR ROYAL BOROUGH OF WINDSOR
FRIENDS OF WINDSOR & ROYAL BOROUGH MUSEUM
Windsor now has its own museum in the centre of town. After some years of campaigning and fund raising by the Friends, following the closure of a heritage exhibition in the Information Centre, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead undertook to set up a new family friendly museum within Windsor’s historic Guildhall. It has been very tastefully and professionally arranged and has met with almost universal acclaim.
Although small, it has enabled a number the many artifacts, previously in store, to be put on permanent display. There is also space for temporary exhibitions to be staged. The museum is themed, looking at various aspects of life in the town as it grew up alongside the Norman Castle. These themes include Working Windsor, the Military, Travel and Tourism and Childhood with some fascinating facts about local personalities such as Nell Gwynne and Sir Sydney Camm. Visitors are supplied with Dataton audio guides to give them further details about the displays. There is even a replica of the pillory which stood close to the Guildhall in less enlightened times! The Friends are working closely with Council staff to ensure continued development and the addition of further material.
The museum is open daily (except Mondays) from 10.00 – 4.00 and from 12.00 noon on Sundays. It is free for local residents, but a small charge is levied for out of town visitors. It is also possible to have a guided tour of the remainder of the 17th century building if it is not in use for other activities. An official opening ceremony is planned for later in the year.
[Autumn 2011]
FRIENDS SPECIAL VIEWING
THE FRIENDS OF BRISTOL ART GALLERY
Over 100 members of the Friends of Bristol Art Gallery attended Bristol Museum and Art Gallery for a private Special Viewing of the partial re-hang of the Modern British Gallery. This had been reconfigured to include four new works purchased by the Friends together with four paintings which had been languishing in the Museum Store. Thanks to the Friends support and generous donation of £30,000, these had undergone restoration and were now on display for the first time. The latter included Holidays (1920) painted by Harry Watson and restored by Rachel Howells, and Celia’s Aunts (1942) painted by Steven Spurrier which, restored by Seonaid Wood, had not been exhibited for over 50 years.
Also re-hung were the works of the British abstract painters; William Scott’s ‘Black, Grey and Blue’ (1960) and Victor Pasmore’s ‘Red Abstract No.5’ (1960) which is particularly significant because it is from a moment when his painting began to shift into the third dimension. This example shows the extra depth and subtlety gained from the shadows cast by the projecting wood. It is a large and dramatic work that has not been displayed for many years due to dirt, scratches and a hole on the surface. These two works had been purchased from a generous bequest to the Friends in 1960 to obtain contemporary works of national importance. These proved to be an astute buy.
Whilst viewing, Sheena Stoddard could be heard saying, “I must admit, after several decades as a curator, I am still amazed at the skills of conservators and what they can do. There is still magic in it for me.”
Recently the Friends purchased four new paintings, also now on display. Two of these are by Bristol street artists, Motorboy’s lightbox ‘What’s the point of robbery when nothing’s worth taking?’ and Ziml’s large and striking ‘Concrete form II’. Megan Davies’ ‘Gran Turismo’ (2005), which shows two teenagers deeply engrossed in a video game, was exhibited in the National Gallery partnership exhibition ‘Work, Rest and Play’ which travelled to Bristol in 2007. Another popular addition is ‘Broken Roundabout’ by local social realist artist Gerald Cains. He was present on the evening and spoke to members about his Bristol based work and career. His painting, ‘Terrace House Demolition, Barton Hill’, is now displayed in the new Bristol M Shed Museum which opened on 17th June.
Along with these outstanding works, further purchases by the Friends include such notables as Ben and Winifred Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth, Karl Weschke and Richard Long. Sheena Stoddard added, “We have long depended on the Friends to help with new acquisitions. Their support is often used as the ‘seed corn’, the local contribution which allows us to raise further substantial funds from national grant-awarding bodies. It is thanks to the unwavering support of its members that the Friends can continue to do what they do best: bringing into public view exceptional works of art.”
40 YEARS AND STRONGER THAN EVER!
THE FRIENDS OF GUILDFORD HOUSE
What a wonderful tribute to The Friends of Guildford House Gallery that there were well over one hundred members gathered in The Guildhall to celebrate the Anniversary of their founding.
I was warmly welcomed by Malcolm Sinclair, the Chairman of the Friends, who introduced me to Iris Hawkins, founder of the Society back in 1970. The lecture was The Glasgow Boys by Dr Elizabeth Phillpot. The Friends intend visiting this exhibition which is presently at The Royal Academy and these monthly winter lectures are arranged to coincide with the visits. Over the many years they have been well supported with most trips fully booked.
After a fascinating insight into The Glasgow Boys we all gathered upstairs in this amazing 17th century building and toasted the Society. A special Anniversary cake was cut by Iris in the presence of not only the present Chairman, but also four former Chairmen.
Forty years on, this Society is still flourishing and is a wonderful example of what Friends are about. They have given financial assistance to major purchases for The Borough’s Collection, amounting to well over £45,000. Their aims are still the same after all this time, to encourage and increase awareness of this historic building and its collection. May we wish Malcolm Sinclair,and all The Friends of Guildford House Gallery, ‘Happy 40th Anniversary and may you continue to flourish and grow for many more years to come!’
MAY MARKET
THE FRIENDS OF GAINSBOROUGH'S HOUSE
At 7.30am the doors of Gainsborough’s House in Sudbury, Suffolk, were open and the first of the stall holders were arriving with plants for the stalls in the garden, then boxes laden with jewellery, glass, herbal creams, hats, prints and books were carried up to the Hills Room and magically transformed themselves into stalls.
By 9.45, we were all ready for the arrival of the Lady Mayoress with Mrs Gainsborough and the minstrels. The House was open all day and the public streamed in. They bought ice cream, coffee, tea, cakes, rolls, books and raffle tickets, plus lots of items from the many stalls. Especially busy was our tarot card reader. Our minstrels gave musical accompaniment to it all and added to the festive atmosphere.
It was gratifying to see people leaving the House with carrier bags full of plants and various goodies. Nobody will forget Mrs Gainsborough (our Beryl Ruse) with Florence, Harry, Nick, Steve and Emma, who looked absolutely fabulous in their 18th century costumes (courtesy of the Quay Theatre). They had wowed Sudbury and even Waitrose, handing out leaflets to publicise the event. As a result, at 2.00pm, when usually things are running down, we still had a steady flow of people.
How can I thank enough all the helpers, cake makers, committee and, most of all Diana Clifford, who organised the stalls and provided umpteen delicious scones for tea. Also Rosemary Woodward and the staff at the House who, as always, were unstinting in their help. We raised just over £1,000. Which is a record for the May Market and we had good fun doing it!
DISTINGUISHED PATRONS
THE FRIENDS OF LYME REGIS MUSEUM
The Friends of Lyme Regis now have some very distinguished patrons of the Friends: Sir David Attenborough, who remembered presenting the Museum with the Gulbenkian Prize and is delighted to be a Patron; Minnie Churchill, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dorset and Chairman of the Churchill Heritage, who lives locally and has written a book, ‘Sir Winston Churchill, His Life and His Paintings’; and Tracey Chevalier, whose book ‘Remarkable Creatures’ has just been published and who loves the town; she hopes always to be a part of it. All of this is proof that the museum and its support network is held in high esteem.
DISPLAY FEATURE FOR SIR CHARLES LYELL
FRIENDS OF KIRRIEMUIR GATEWAY TO THE GLENS MUSEUM
The Friends of Kirriemuir Gateway to the Glens Museum, along with the Angus Council Museum Staff, geological experts and Lord Lyell have been working together towards setting up a display featuring Sir Charles Lyell FRS. Lord Lyell, the Honorary President, has kindly agreed to provide wonderful, unique artefacts, to bring attention to the undoubted importance of this man who was one of the leading scientists of the 19th century, an associate of Darwin and one of his early supporters. One of the paving stones already honours Sir Charles and this exhibition will allow local people and visitors to appreciate the tremendous contribution to science of this great Kirriemarian.
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