rain, but now in bright sunshine.
Cannon Hall was a total surprise. Some of us had never heard if it, but it is a fine Georgian house with later wings, set in a very fine, and magnificently maintained, park. We were welcomed at the entrance by Shaun, the house manager, who gave a very interesting insight of the family background and gradual enlargement of the house culminating in the purchase by Barnsley Corporation in 1951. What foresight. The house had some rooms finished in period style, others are used for museum display and there is a wonderful and comprehensive collection of Moorcroft pottery. I particularly liked the display of glass, which is quite small, but with some fine pieces demonstrating skills up to the present time. The collections were shown to us by Natalie the collections manager. The building also holds the Regimental Museum of the 13th
/18th
Royal Hussars and the Light dragoons, which some of us scraped time to visit.
We were then released into the garden and what a revelation. The walled garden is stupendous, dating from the middle of the 18th
Century. The Hall
owners seemed to have a great interest in fruit growing over a long period and produced an enormous range. This is still represented by the collection of over 40 varieties of pears growing as espaliers on the high walls. Many of these are extremely mature, they must predate the Barnsley purchase yet have been continually maintained in absolutely superb condition. This alone would have made my visit worthwhile and others in our group were certainly enjoying this garden. It was a great pity that one of the early timber glasshouses was in a poor condition. It looked just capable of restoration, and would be so worthwhile.
At this point it began to dawn on me that Parks and Gardens maintenance in Barnsley is of the highest order in this day and age. Looking at the details of planting and maintenance I could see that a great deal of commitment and TLC is put in and I had noted very fine tulips in the town centre yesterday. Can there still be a proper Parks and Gardens Department?
Anyway, back to the hotel to prepare 8
for the Conference Dinner. Apparently this was originally planned for the Town Hall, but as the refurbishment was incomplete (at what cost and what would George Orwell say?) it was back to Cannon Hall. Hooray!
The coaches could not get close to the Hall so we all had to walk in our finery up the Lime Avenue, again to be welcomed by Shaun and shown to the Victorian Ballroom where the pre-dinner entertainment was provided by the Thurnscoe Harmonic Male Voice Choir. This was very splendid and moving, the choir members being mainly former miners of a mature age but they sang very strongly as everyone joined in “Ain’t Nothing like a Dame”.
The meal was really good, traditional Yorkshire fare, a very nice but possibly expected touch. Councillor Steve Houghton CBE, the Leader of Barnsley Council, gave a witty and clever speech of welcome and the evening developed into ACES usual friendly ambience. Unfortunately so much so that there was comparatively little time to enjoy the after dinner entertainers, Barnsley Metropolitan Band. Hearing a full brass band in a comparatively small hall is quite an experience, and it played some rousing stuff with several individual instruments and featuring a wonderful cornet solo. It was a great pity that this had to be rushed, as the coaches’ tachometers were about to go out of time. But yet another reason for a return trip.
Friday morning was billed as a “Half
day creative shopping experience tour” which sounded very different. We got off the bus at the Town Hall, familiar country, and I was now inspecting every tulip bed and tree. Yes, I was right! Magnificent and the others agreed. A walk round to the Cooper Gallery where we were met by Amanda, the supervisor. Every one we meet seem to be enthusiastic and committed and genuinely pleased to welcome us, and there was Natalie again who talked about the picture collection after Amanda had explained the history. Great stuff and an excellent and varied collection and very well presented in changing exhibitions. We were all duly impressed but were shepherded on to the Gallery at The Civic. This is the conversion of a large theatre into gallery, creative and performance space. We were invited to view the current exhibition, Catwalk to Cover, a display of fashion photography with the actual dresses featured in the photographs on show. I did not know quite what to make of this, but several ladies seemed to appreciate the quality of the dressmaking. We then went upstairs to look at the performance space. Perhaps this is good when filled with people for a performance but it had a slightly uncomfortable feel, the ceiling mouldings are large scale and meant to be viewed from a greater distance and are now covered with light fittings. Clearly a different concept.
The best part was the internal balcony, very light and spacious and overlooking a new and well designed small park - even the electricity transformers
THE TERRIER - Summer 2012
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