It was a good day today at the Haworth. We started with a tour lead by Anne Alston, one of the gallery volunteers, who showed off all the arts & crafts features of the building. She explained how the decorated plaster ceilings were made in London and brought up in pieces to be erected on site. We looked at the panelling and carvings and the significance of some eg the acorns representing Accrington. We saw the wooden pegs in the staircase which the carpenters had used to erect it in the Arts & Crafts tradition of craftsmanship. The huge staircase window was viewed. This featured the coats of arms of Accrington and Lancashire together with William Haworth’s Initials. The significance of the roundels was explained – the cotton trade represented by the spinning wheel, cotton plant. ship etc.
A Jacob’s Join lunch was then enjoyed by us all and some of the gallery staff joined us in sharing the meal.
After the meal, we had a talk by Jean about William and Anne Haworth and the staff who worked for them from when the house was finished in 1909 to the death of Anne in 1920. Details of Anne’s will looked at how every member of staff was remembered by her and the gift of the house and grounds to Accrington.
Finally we viewed the Russian Icons that we are fundraising to restore, along with the miniature of William Haworth, William & Anne’s music albums as well as some items from WWl which also need conserving.
A really good day.
Thanks to all who came and provided the lunch. Thanks to Anne and Jean for the tour and talk.