| If you live next to a timber-framed house, don’t
be surprised if you see or hear your neighbours scraping gently at
their walls with razor blades in the next few days. Leigh Alston,
an expert in mediaeval buildings told the members of the History Society
that contrary to what Hollywood would have us believe, painted walls,
not dark panelling was all the rage . Even low-status houses belonging
to yeoman farmers have been found to have painted walls inside and
out, and parts of these are still being discovered today when houses
are renovated. Leigh showed some wonderful slides of East Anglian
houses where freestyle art can be seen, from the stylish and elegant
to the comical and grotesque. Hunting scenes seem to have been particularly
popular. Anyone lucky enough to find traces of these painyings should
contact English Heritage for help and advice and Leigh is keen to
be involved in any discoveries of paint, sooted beams, crown posts
or evidence of early occupation in the village.
On Wednesday 1st December we will be having our Christmas celebration
meal at The Bell Hotel in Clare. Any members who have not yet booked
in for this are urged to do so as soon as possible by calling Gillian
on 820052.
The January meeting - Wickhambrook, Past, Present and Future -
is on Tuesday 18th January at 7.30pm in the WI Hall. There will
be a talk by John Fuller on his family connections with the village,
a talk by Dorothy Anderson on the work of the History Recorder and
a presentation by Maria Sumner on the Wickhambrook website.
Visitors are very welcome. Please call Gillian or Dorothy (820376)
for more information. |
