Thank you, Amanda, for this reminder of the 40th anniversary of the Nottinghamshire Bobbin Lace Society. My mission in writing about Lace is to be sure the history of women engaged in the textile arts and industry are not forgotten. In 2001, I made a solo visit to Nottingham, staying 2 nights. What lovely memories. Angela Thompson, the author and a friend, had provided a rough outline of what must be seen along a route from Edinburgh to her home in England. (This was a grand trip in which I'd already spent 2 weeks in Scotland studying embroidery, visited friends met via Arachne, etc.) In the process, I had visited every used book dealer possible, and shipped books home. Many were out-of-print, and were exciting finds. Nottingham! I had tried to connect with a lacemaker who corresponded on Arachne, but was not successful. Most memorable to me was a series of very old small houses linked together to form a museum (up on a hill near the hotel) full of vignette displays of life long ago. The costumes and furnishings were charming. The settings rather dark, as they would have been before electricity. A cozy museum exhibit, with which I vaguely remember Jeffrey Hopewell was associated. He had written the Shire booklet "Pillow Lace and Bobbins" in 1984. I remember reading this museum has since been demolished - and the collections sent to another Nottingham museum. Alas, I did not find much of interest in 2001 at Castle Museum, and thought it impersonal. A search today for a Castle Museum lace collection turned up no lace being exhibited, and no photos to view. Could this be so? I searched for Lace at Castle Museum in Nottingham; also for the Museum's Mission. No Lace in the largest museum in The City of Lace???? Not even a panel of curtain lace? Do they need someone to write about their lace holdings for the internet? If there is no permanent lace display at this government-financed museum, Nottingham Lace needs a 21st century champion - a "knightess" in shining armor - armor that is over-draped in lace - perhaps to ride a fine horse through the city, up steps to government building entrances, and right into government offices! History: Knights gathered in Nottingham before setting out on the Crusades, in the Medieval period. The other place enjoyed was The Museum of Nottingham Lace in The Lace Market. There was a bobbin lace maker demonstrating in the window. I was the only visitor, and so we had a pleasant talk. In the sales area I purchased 7 little books (the size of Shire books) about Nottingham and the Lace industry, which are kept in my library with some flat round disk bobbins, threads, and other ephemera they were selling. I also purchased the large book "Nottingham Lace 1760s - 1950s" by Sheila Mason that later was lent to Devon and thus made a visit by Mason to the lace collection at The Metropolitan Museum go more smoothly. That visit was about The Battle of Britain Lace depicting scenes of WW 2. This famous lace was made in Nottingham. Is there an exhibit about it anywhere? By far, most important to this year's celebration is a spiral-bound book, "An Outline History" by the Nottinghamshire Bobbin Lace Society to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Since I may not be here in another 10 years to write about them on their 50th, I think it important to highlight now. A dozen years ago I wrote to Arachne that this was wonderful documentation of a slice of local lace history. Will there be an update of this book published in 2015? In 2025? Enjoyed the Face Book presentation, Amanda. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center --------------------------------------------------------
In a message dated 8/3/2015 5:11:30 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, amanda.j.richa...@btinternet.com writes: Just a reminder that NBLS (Nottinghamshire Bobbin Lace Society) is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year with an exhibition of lace. It runs from 11th - 15th August (next week) and is in Nottingham City centre, right next to the Nottingham Trent University Tram stop. Entry is free and there will be a Coffee bar for refreshments. Full details can be found on their web page and also their Facebook page (you do not need to be a Facebook member to view this) http://www.revill.force9.co.uk/nbls/ https://www.facebook.com/laceinthecityoflace Do come if you can, I will be there on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon stewarding. Amanda, Nottingham - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
