A coachload of eager Guild members (and a few friends) enjoyed a fascinating day out to Durham Cathedral yesterday. [Please click on any image to see a larger version.]
(This photo was taken on an earlier visit, showing a view of the Cathedral from a walk by the river).
As you can see from this picture, there is work currently being carried out to one of the towers. The architecture is stunningly beautiful, with its huge vaulted ceilings, decorated pillars and stained glass windows.
Find out more about the history and heritage of The Cathedral on their website. An architectural floor plan of the building can be seen here.
We started out with a hot drink and biscuit in The Chapterhouse before beginning the tour of the Cathedral textiles with one of the two knowledgeable guides assigned to us. The textiles that were shown to us included kneelers and cushions; altar decorations; Episcopal vestments, such as copes, girdles and mitres; also decorative pieces (made to cover speakers!) and to decorate the pulpit.
There is a team of volunteer embroiderers or 'broderers' as they are known at Durham Cathedral. These people carry out repairs to existing textiles, make samples for future work and take on commissioned pieces for the Cathedral and its incumbents.
The most beautiful altar covering featured a patchwork of silk scallops, many of which were embroidered with animals, plants and symbols related to the area. Unfortunately, photography was not allowed inside the main area of the Cathedral, but we were allowed to photograph and handle some of the samples of work. Here are a few of those samples...
The design seen at right was derived from the small amount of painted decoration remaining in the archway behind the altar in the Galilee Chapel. The design was worked in wool on canvas in a very dense stitch to provide a durable surface for long kneeler cushions.
Wool on canvas. Many of the motifs used in the textiles are derived from symbols and decorative stone carving, floor tile patterns, painting etc found in the Cathedral, or may represent St Cuthbert or the local area.
The gold-covered raised work is made from carpet underlay material held in place with long cross-stitches, covered with appliqued gold ?leather. The grass blades are held to the background fabric with Bondaweb or similar, then a variety of applique and decorative stitches are tested to find the best effect for the final piece. One of the copes featured this plant leaf design.
Pearl Purl thread used to form a raised edging to these scallop shells. The finished shells were applied to shields which cover the speakers in one of the rooms.
A design for one of 12 kneelers for the St Hild Altar. The abstract pattern shows the place where land and sea meet. The 'land' area is worked in a variety of embroidery stitches, and subtle colour changes give a feeling of depth to the piece.
After lunch, we toured the Open Treasure exhibition, which included historical artifacts and interactive installations. The highlight was the 7th century coffin and grave goods found with St Cuthbert's body in the shrine that the Cathedral was originally built to house back in 1093. The graphic screen showing the changes and additions to the building over the centuries was fascinating. Music through the centuries could be heard, and you could smell the scents and odours of the time (leather, beeswax, incense etc). One of my favourite pieces was the 'Sanctuary Knocker'. This was originally on the North Door of the Cathedral. Individuals could knock on it to claim 37 days sanctuary, after which time they would face trial or exile. A replica now hangs on the door, while the original can currently be seen in The Great Kitchen as part of the exhibition.
The 12th Century Sanctuary Knocker. Image Copyright Durham Cathedral
The Cathedral has a famous rose stained glass window, but this modern piece caught my eye. It is the Daily Bread Window donated by the local branch of Marks & Spencer in 1984. Image Copyright Durham Cathedral
Fowlers Yard was a final visit of the day. It is a series of units housing artists and craftspeople. Traditional embroiderer and head of the Cathedral Broderers, Tracy A Franklin has a unit here, where she teaches embroidery (a class of six American ladies were producing amazing pieces of work on their two week intensive course, when we visited). There are also mountains of embroidery supplies available - embroidery threads and wools, gold threads, notions, background fabrics and canvases. I attach scans of her business card for those that may wish to visit her studio.
The journey home afforded us some spectacular views of the Northumbrian countryside...
A very enjoyable day out!
Find out more about the history and heritage of The Cathedral on their website. An architectural floor plan of the building can be seen here.
We started out with a hot drink and biscuit in The Chapterhouse before beginning the tour of the Cathedral textiles with one of the two knowledgeable guides assigned to us. The textiles that were shown to us included kneelers and cushions; altar decorations; Episcopal vestments, such as copes, girdles and mitres; also decorative pieces (made to cover speakers!) and to decorate the pulpit.
There is a team of volunteer embroiderers or 'broderers' as they are known at Durham Cathedral. These people carry out repairs to existing textiles, make samples for future work and take on commissioned pieces for the Cathedral and its incumbents.
The most beautiful altar covering featured a patchwork of silk scallops, many of which were embroidered with animals, plants and symbols related to the area. Unfortunately, photography was not allowed inside the main area of the Cathedral, but we were allowed to photograph and handle some of the samples of work. Here are a few of those samples...
After lunch, we toured the Open Treasure exhibition, which included historical artifacts and interactive installations. The highlight was the 7th century coffin and grave goods found with St Cuthbert's body in the shrine that the Cathedral was originally built to house back in 1093. The graphic screen showing the changes and additions to the building over the centuries was fascinating. Music through the centuries could be heard, and you could smell the scents and odours of the time (leather, beeswax, incense etc). One of my favourite pieces was the 'Sanctuary Knocker'. This was originally on the North Door of the Cathedral. Individuals could knock on it to claim 37 days sanctuary, after which time they would face trial or exile. A replica now hangs on the door, while the original can currently be seen in The Great Kitchen as part of the exhibition.
Fowlers Yard was a final visit of the day. It is a series of units housing artists and craftspeople. Traditional embroiderer and head of the Cathedral Broderers, Tracy A Franklin has a unit here, where she teaches embroidery (a class of six American ladies were producing amazing pieces of work on their two week intensive course, when we visited). There are also mountains of embroidery supplies available - embroidery threads and wools, gold threads, notions, background fabrics and canvases. I attach scans of her business card for those that may wish to visit her studio.
The journey home afforded us some spectacular views of the Northumbrian countryside...
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