Remembrance 2020
Sadly Remembrance Day for most of us is going to be rather different this year. We, Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle, usually hold a service at 10.45 on 11th November in the Heritage Memorial Garden. The Rev Margaret Fossey has led the service for the last few years and she offered to hold a service again this year. We normally have a young person play the Last Post and Reveille at the service and local school children join us.
However after taking advice and having a long discussion at our committee meeting, we decided reluctantly not to have a service this year. We are really sorry about this but thinking about the need to keep safe in the present circumstances we came to the conclusion having a service would not be a wise thing to do.
We will however be placing a wreathe at the monument in the Heritage Memorial Garden. We are also having a box placed at the foot of the Memorial so that if you wish to bring your poppy or cross to the Heritage Memorial Garden at some time in the next week or two there is somewhere to place it.
If you are able to get out I hope that you will pay a visit to the Heritage Memorial Garden. A group of us regularly work in the Garden, remembering to follow guidance and keep at a safe distance. The Garden is looking very colourful and we get many compliments as we work. We have just planted a lot of bulbs so there should be quite a show in the spring.
If you do visit the Garden you might wonder why one of the small beds is looking rather empty. It was to have been the herb garden but though there are still some herbs, some rosemary, sage, thyme and chives. It is to be planted with plants whose flowers or leaves were used for dyeing cloth. Though plants like Japanese maple, delphiniums and golden rod can be planted now most plants that were used in the dyeing process are annuals or bi-annuals. That is to say that most of the planting in that bed will be done in the spring, however the bed is being prepared now.
Friends Programme (provisional)
Tea & Cake
13th January 2pm Pam Cooksey – The Woodhead Family.
10th February 2pm – The work of the Welcome Centre.
Free events, donations for refreshments
St Valentines Day Cream Teas
Sunday 14th February 2021
1pm, 2.30pm £6 per person Booking advised.
Woven, a celebration of innovation in Textiles
As I write I am sitting in an upstairs room in an 18th century farmhouse. This room would have at one time had a loom in it – and possibly a bed?. Cloth from this loom would no doubt have been taken to sell in the Cloth Hall in Huddersfield. It is in buildings like this that the creativity and industry that became so successful in Huddersfield started.
Many of us who live here have either worked in a mill or have relatives who have been in the industry. My father in law worked at a mill in Holmfirth, his brother in law worked at the mill in Newsome. Clare, a friend of the family, was a mender at Taylor and Lodge in Lockwood. Sadly they are no longer with us.
As I mentioned in an earlier Newsletter as part of the Woven project the ‘Friends’ are not only growing plants but also taking part in the collecting of experiences of anyone who has worked in the textile industry.
However some of you reading this have experience in the industry or know of someone who worked in it. We would love to hear from you. Please consider sharing this experience. The picture is an example of a selection of textiles with intricate designs in Tolson Memorial Museum.
About Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle
The Committee of Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle meet once a month to plan the programme for the local community and support the work of the Museum. We look after the Heritage Memorial Garden. We would welcome any one who is interested in working with us.
For more information please contact Volunteer Ann, Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle. m: 07803159506 email: secretary@friendsoftolson.org