The Iron Bridge, Staffordshire. Photo: Dorothy Nott
The Friends of York Art Gallery July trip to Stourbridge started with a visit to Calke Abbey, a National Trust property in Derbyshire. The Trust acquired the property in 1985, when it was said to be on the brink of collapse following heavy death duties and the effects of the Second World War, and decided that it should be preserved in a state of decline whilst at the same time making it safe and serviceable. Signs of managed decline were everywhere visible, which gave an interesting insight into the state of many of the properties taken over by the Trust.
Although we were unable to arrange visits to any of the museums in the Ironbridge Gorge owing to a recent change in ownership, we were able to visit and walk across the Ironbridge itself before checking in at our hotel, a mere stone’s throw away. Several friends were able to catch a second glimpse of the bridge by walking through the gardens leading from the hotel to the river and onto the gorge.
The main focus of the trip was, of course, Stourbridge, with its three glass museums. First up was the Ruskin Glass Centre where we were met by Lorraine, a very enthusiastic curator who gave us a full explanation of the process of glass making and a tour around some of the workshops attached. Formerly the home of Royal Doulton Crystal and Webb Corbett, the site has recently completed a £1.4million refurbishment, and hosts both an historic glass collection as well as striking modern signature pieces. This was followed by a visit to the Red Cone Glass Museum, where we could experience the sensation of standing in the centre of a 100 feet tall glass making cone used for the manufacture of glass until 1936. Previously one of approximately thirty in Stourbridge, the red cone is one of only four left in the UK.
After lunch our final museum was the Stourbridge Glass Museum, which rose from the ashes of the Broadfield House Glass Museum, run by Dudley Council until January 2009 when closure plans were announced. Owing to the great significance of the collection and the even greater affection in which the museum was held, the Save Our Glass Heritage campaign was formed in 2010 under the chairmanship of Graham Knowles and secretary Lynn Boleyn. Twelve years later, the newly formed Stourbridge Glass Museum, built on the site of a truncated white (as opposed to red) glass cone, opened its doors to the public. Our very knowledgeable guide Kevin walked us through the museum in two groups, allowing for the other group to experience glass blowing at the hand of Allister Malcolm whose wares can sometimes by seen in Pyramid in Stonegate, as well as some welcome refreshment.
Stopping only for a comfort break en route for York, we arrived safely back at Memorial Gardens in the early evening, thanks in no small part to Patrick’s careful driving.
Dorothy Nott