CDFAS STUDY DAYS

These days are generally held at the Village Institute in Ashford-in-the-Water, Nr Bakewell ~
lunch in the Ashford Arms.

STUDY DAY:
THE MOORS IN SPAIN  WITH SARAH SEARIGHT –
at the ASHFORD INSTITUTE – FRIDAY 9^th MAY 2008

This day will begin with an introduction to Islam, a topic so much in the news now.  Sarah Searight will deal with the appropriate history, development, traditions and variations.

Following coffee, we will hear a lecture on the arts and architecture of the medieval Islamic world (with a glimpse of the Alhambra to prepare us for the afternoon). 

After lunch, Sarah Searight will focus on the development and glories of Moorish art and architecture in Andalucia.  She will include an overview of ceramics, ivories, metalwork and textiles, all influential in medieval decorative arts.

The overall cost of £33 for this day will include morning coffee, and lunch (again with coffee) at the Ashford Arms Hotel.

Click here for an application form for this study day

 Report: 
STUDY DAY ON NORMAN CHURCHES IN DERBYSHIRE WITH PROFESSOR JOHN TARN – 2ND NOVEMBER 2007 

Beware of assuming that you ‘know’ a subject, in this case Norman Churches in Derbyshire, Professor John Tarn’s theme for a study day which was full of surprises and insights.  The first session looked at Derbyshire churches from the simplest, with their  solidity and crude carving, to Steetley, small and virtually unaltered, a gem, and the most splendid, Melbourne, with its combination of architectural mass and delicately carved detail.  The second session was a foray to the continent, with the contrast between English mass and French verticality, and a discussion of Germanic influence on English churches which was unfamiliar to me.

 Then a substantial lunch and post-prandial drive to Melbourne, which revived us.  Those who had not seen Melbourne before were amazed, those who had were delighted to see it again, surely the finest church in Derbyshire, with the combination of massive structure and exquisite detail.  The solitary wall painting was a reminder of how much more colourful it must once have been.  Having given so much detailed information in the morning, Professor Tarn allowed us to explore by ourselves, while being always available to answer questions, an ideal arrangement.  Steetley, the other splendid Norman church in our area, was discussed, but could not be visited, leaving a treat in store.  Interesting problems were raised, such as why so many French churches have apsidal ends, while most English churches do not.  Ideas were put forward but mercifully there is scope for discussion.

A visually delightful and intellectually stimulating day for which many thanks go to Professor Tarn and to Mark Hargreaves who got us round the course without any obvious problems.
Mary Marsh

Report:  VISIT TO JACQUI HYMAN’S STUDIO - 13 MARCH 2007

         click to enlarge pctures

The 13^th March 2007, a bright clear day, saw a party of 35 bound for Altrincham.  We were greeted by Jacqui Hyman and her husband, ushered into their lovely home, and refreshed by coffee and biscuits. 

A fascinating morning was spent seeing slides, and in reality textile items which Jacqui had been asked to preserve and/or refurbish.  She showed us dirt of all kinds, including bed bugs, caterpillar excreta, moths and beetles, including carpet beetles, and instructed us how to deal with these things, as well as with ordinary dirt and soot.  Holes and splits from ultraviolet light and from animals and insects were also shown and discussed.  She told us of a beautiful christening dress laid out for the ceremony.  The dog found it and dragged it round the mud in the garden and chewed a hole in it.  A second best gown had to be used on the day but we saw a slide of the dress after Jacqui had restored it.

It was lunch time in a flash and her husband had skilfully served us a delicious three-course lunch, previously cooked by Jacqui, but the afternoon talk was so interesting that no-one fell asleep.

Jacqui showed us, and described, the use of all the instruments and products she used in her very meticulous, exacting and successful work.

Later in the afternoon Jacqui examined textiles that members had brought and gave advice about how to deal with them.  The last object was a most unusual embroidered box with cupboards and drawers, and possibly secret drawers, which was about 250 years old and worth hundreds, if not thousands of pounds.  Finally tea and cake appeared.

It had been a most enjoyable and successful day, and thanks to Angela Kellie for organising it, and to Jacqui for giving us of her time and expertise.
Morag Lady Bramley

Report: STUDY DAY ON AUGUSTUS PUGIN WITH PROFESSOR JOHN TARN
FRIDAY 27 OCTOBER 2006 
The day started in Ashford Village Institute with a lecture and slides giving ‘background’ to Pugin, his career and working relationship with Lord Shrewsbury, during the mid nineteenth century, producing many Gothic Revival buildings, including Alton Castle and Alton Towers.

After a substantial lunch at the Ashford Arms we set out for Cheadle, arriving in drizzling rain we were heartened to enter the dazzling Roman Catholic Church of St Giles. This heavily decorated and gilded church is one of Pugin’s finest works, known as the Perfect Cheadle.  We were occupied with the detail for almost an hour, many found the well illustrated church guide a good ‘aide memoir’ adding to the enjoyment to the well organised day.                                                                      
Angela Kellie