Strange But True

Strange But True

  • Inexpressibles

    The name given to the tight trousers worn by some Regency gentlemen, such as the notorious Beau Brummell and his ‘dandy’ followers,  as they showed off their leg muscles.

  • What did Victoria do first

    after her coronation in 1837?  Have a parliamentary meeting?  Have tea with all the royal dignitaries?  No – she gave her dog, Dash, a bath.

     

  • Now that’s what we call a cake!

    Victoria and Albert’s wedding cake was a colossal 9 feet wide and weighed 300 pounds.

     

  • Victorian ladies’ knickers had no middle

    Once they got all those big dresses on, they couldn’t reach their knickers to pull them down, so they could stand over a potty to wee with these on instead.

     

  • Would you wee in your dining room?

    Victorian gentlemen did! Some dining rooms (like ours) had a special cupboard to house a chamber pot so all the gentlemen could go for a wee without leaving the table (once the ladies had left the room, of course!).

     

  • The last ducking stool to be used in England

    (in 1809) can still be seen not far from us in the Priory Church, Leominster, Herefordshire. It’s huge.

     

Handy Hints

Handy Hints

  • Keeping your kettle clean

    To prevent teakettles coating with lime – put the shell of an oyster in the teakettle and the lime will adhere to it, instead of coating the sides. 1852

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

  • To take mildew out of linen

    Take soap and rub it well, then scrape on some fine chalk, rub that also into the linen, lay it on the grass, as it dries, wet it a little, it will come out at twice doing. 1852

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

  • Antidote against mice

    Gather wild mint, put it where you wish to keep them out, and they will not trouble you. 1852

     

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

  • To remove grease from books

    Lay upon the spoon a little magnesium or powdered chalk, and under it the same; set on it a warm flat iron, and as soon as the grease is melted, it will be all absorbed, and leave the paper clean. 1852

     

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

  • An insect trap

    Scoop out the inside of a turnip, scallop the edges, and place it downward in the earth. The insects will pass into it as a place of retreat through the holes, and the cucumbers, squashes, melons etc., may soon be clear of them.  1852

     

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

  • To clean gilt buckles, chains &c.

    Dip a soft brush in water, rub a little soap on it, and brush the article for a minute or two, then wash it clean, wipe it, and place it near the fire till dry, then brush it with burnt bread finely powdered. 1823

     

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

Opening our doors with HLF this year!

Opening our doors with HLF this year!

Press Release

The Judge’s Lodging opens its doors with Heritage Lottery Fund this year

HLF FundedSince the doors to Radnorshire’s Shire Hall re-opened in 1997, the Judge’s Lodging has been a unique, awarding winning attraction within Powys, run by a charitable organisation, the Judge’s Lodging Trust. The building, currently owned by Powys County Council, is  Grade II* listed and consists of the original period courthouse and cells, together with accommodation for the visiting High Court judge who would have stayed during the local Assizes. The Judge’s Lodging houses a wonderful collection of objects that represents the history of the Judiciary in the 19th Century. Unlike some museums there is a genuine hands-on approach to the collection which is regularly described as ‘immersive’.

 Following a review of capital and revenue investment in 2015 by Powys County Council, the museum began the process of transition to full independence. Although this will bring many challenges, the Trustees are committed to creating a sustainable future for the Judge’s Lodging and to creating the best opportunities to conserve the building and its collection.

To this end, late in 2016, the Trust made a successful application for £86,800 to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Resilient Heritage grant programme, the first grant award made in Wales under this programme.

 The grant will allow a more strategic approach through development of staff and volunteers, understanding the audience (visitor research) and building a business plan that allows the Trust to confidently manage the museum and sustainably undertake the required capital investment, with partners, to conserve the building.

 Quotes

Ashley Charlwood, Chair of Trustees, said, “The Trust is so grateful for the support from HLF; it allows us to consider the best opportunities for the continued development of The Judge’s Lodging into a fully independent museum”.

Powys County Council have recently expressed their desire to transfer the Shire Hall to the Trust through a Community Asset Transfer. Mr Charlwood went on to say, “HLF supporting the strategic development of the charity and revenue for the Museum is only part of the picture. We need to be confident that we can, with partners, meet the expected £200k costs to carry out much needed maintenance on the fabric of the building. Without HLF funding at this time, the outlook for the building and museum would be very different”.

Gaby Rivers, the Development Manager said, “In 2015 we were reducing the hours for paid staff, and after 19 years as museum curator, I was made redundant from Powys County Council. Now thanks to HLF the Trust can establish two new posts, a museum assistant and a volunteer co-ordinator, to help support our wonderful volunteers”. The Trust receives over 1,000 hours of volunteer time every year, and could not continue without this input.

Ms Rivers continued, “This year is quite special for us all, as it is 20 years since actor Robert Hardy opened our doors to the public! We are so grateful for the support from HLF, and it allows us to continue confidently conserving this wonderful building and start much needed fundraising”.

Richard Bellamy, Head of the HLF in Wales added “We know that there is an appetite from heritage organisations to adapt and grow in order to build a firm financial footing.  Resilient Heritage brings together all that we have learnt from over 21 years of grant-making, providing a tailored package of support that responds to the individual needs of heritage organisations so they can not only survive in these challenging financial times, but thrive.”

For further information please contact Gaby Rivers on 01544 260650, or email info@judgeslodging.org.u

About the Heritage Lottery Fund

Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk.  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #HLFsupported.

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