Local History 4 Photos 2022
FEBRUARY 2022
PETERSFIELD MUSEUM
On Tuesday, 15th February 11 members of the group visited the Petersfield Museum. The visit started with a talk by Ryan Watts about the Museum after which the group were free to wander around in their own time to take in the many exhibits.
In 1999 the Petersfield Area Historical Society opened the doors of its Museum in the former Courthouse, where it displayed its social history collection. Thanks to a very generous bequest from local solicitor, Freddie Standfield, it was possible, six years later, to employ a Museum Curator.
Over the years objects and archive material we collected and formally transferred to the Museum. They now form part of the extensive collection of some 22,000 items that relate to Petersfield and its surrounding villages.
In 2016 they purchased the former Petersfield Police Station, part of which now houses a Victorian justice heritage exhibition. Between 2017 and 2021 the Museum underwent a £4m rebuild.
A timeline feature takes the visitor through the history of the town alongside some temporary cases which change over annually. Other collections include the Bedales Historic Costume Collection, made up of about 1,000 pieces including ladies’, gents’, and children’s clothing and accessories dating from 1720.
Local artist, Flora Twort, who died in 1985, left her cottage, studio and examples of her work to Hampshire CC who transferred it in 2009 to the Petersfield Museum Trust.
There are many examples of her beautiful water colour paintings, sketches and letters amongst the exhibits and also a small Gallery of her work.
Edward Thomas - renowned poet, writer, essayist and literary critic - is well represented. He lived in the village of Steep. He was killed on active service at the Battle of Arras on 9th April 1917. His collection was the property of the late Tim Wilton-Steer and donated to the Edward Thomas Fellowship by his family.
The refurbishment has been excellent and although small this independent Museum is well laid out and, unusually, as you walk around the history starts from present-day Petersfield and goes back through its 10,000-year past.
The trip was much enjoyed by everyone, some of whom will be returning for a second visit.
JANUARY 2022
CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL
Local History 4 visited Chichester Cathedral on a damp, dreary morning, but once inside it was warm and very welcoming.
Construction began in 1076 following the Norman Conquest. (1066 and all that). Using stone from Quarr on the Isle of Wight, it was eventually completed and consecrated in 1108.
The Cloisters and Bell Tower were added in 1400. The latter being the only surviving detached medieval bell tower still in use today.
The Cathedral contains many works of art both ancient and modern. The Tudor paintings on Board, from the 1530’s are in remarkable condition.
The original spire collapsed, suddenly, in 1861 – it took 5 years to rebuild and reopened in 1866.
Our guides were bursting with knowledge and enthusiasm for which I thank them.
It is impossible for me to list all the history and wonders of this beautiful Cathedral, so I strongly recommend a visit to this lovely building.
I would like to say Thank You to Mary Shilstone, our Group Co-ordinator, for the original booking.
The lovely window depicts the Old Testament on the right and the New on the Left. The Nativity Screen is interesting in that the faces are of NHS workers except the man kneeling on the right in blue. That is the Dean of the Cathedral.
