Let them eat cake?



You can't have a celebration without cake!

There are a few things guaranteed to get the busy South Lakes team together in the same place at the same time – cake is definitely one of them (beer is probably the other!). There is cake to be had in the next week though as we celebrate 100 years since Beatrix and William got married.

I often wonder what Beatrix would make of the ideas and initiatives we come up with, but the longer I work with her legacy, the more I come to realise that she was in fact years ahead of us. Beatrix was a shrewd businesswoman and innovator. She thoroughly exploited any opportunities that presented themselves, she was the first to see the potential of her characters as merchandising gold mines – long before Walt Disney was putting Minnie, Mickey and Donald onto lunch boxes and T-shirts, Beatrix was putting Peter, Jemima and Benjamin onto Tea sets, slippers and, well, pretty much anything. So a more appropriate question might be; are we living up to her entrepreneurial example? There certainly isn’t a shortage of ideas around here.

October may be our last month fully open but we’ve got plenty going on. Tuesday 15^th is the actual anniversary date and if you’re lucky enough to be in Sawrey that day, look out for members of the team wearing appropriate accessories, you may even be offered cake… well it would be rude not to!

Remember that the current Gallery exhibition ends on 3^rd November, so all the artwork on display will go into storage for at least 8-10 years. As well as the artwork; we will certainly miss the eight Pettitoes piggies who have been in residence for the children’s trail throughout the season. Hill Top will also close its doors for winter conservation work and repairs and say good bye to the wedding theme, which so many visitors have enjoyed this season.

Pigging out at the Beatrix Potter Gallery

Next years theme is “On holiday with Beatrix Potter”; we want to explore how Beatrix’s travels throughout mainland Britain inspired her art. There is a wealth of material in the collection of artwork and also amongst the objects at Hill Top. We hope to bring these to the fore - highlighting items you may not have seen before and featuring some items currently hiding in corners or stored away behind the scenes.  One such item is Helen Potter’s (Beatrix’s mother) favourites album. This was a sort of elegant Victorian version of a ‘Facebook profile’. The Potter’s entries are both witty and beautifully executed and we hope visitors of all ages will be inspired to fill in their own versions.

Helen Potter's own page in her "favourites" album

The Potter holidays were documented through Rupert’s photographs, as well as in Beatrix’s journal and correspondence. There are wonderful accounts of trips out, sightseeing and even the souvenirs the family collected, some of which are amongst Beatrix’s treasured possessions preserved at Hill Top. You will find the holiday theme running throughout the property and there have been some great ideas which I hope will show Beatrix that we are determined to continue her work as an innovative and inspirational conservationist.

Now, about that cake…..



1913 And All That

(or ‘it’s all about weddings and pigs!’)

Where to begin with this weeks blog? There’s been so much going on to get both Hill Top and The Beatrix Potter Gallery ready for opening on the 9th Feb. But I think we’re just about there!

This year marks the centenary of Beatrix’s wedding to William Heelis, as well as her writing and publishing ‘The Tale of Pigling Bland’. So we’ve decided to link together both Hill Top and the Gallery to tell the story of Beatrix’s 1913.

We’ve been conservation cleaning everywhere…



Rosemary cleaning the Doll's House at Hill Top



Spot Catherine cleaning the kitchen cupboard



... training volunteers and staff…

… and trying out some of our new activities. Spot the difference!....



Spot the difference - Beatrix and William on the day before their wedding; Pete and Sarah modelling our replica Beatrix and William wedding hats at the Gallery!



Our new touchscreen modules have arrived for the Gallery (and they’re lovely) as well as the recordings of traditional country dance music to be played in the upstairs sitting room at Hill Top. Liz has carefully researched them and has chosen tunes which are all mentioned in the Heelis documents.

We’ve got a special treat this year at the Gallery too. As well as showing Beatrix’s original artwork (not just Pigling Bland, but Pig Robinson and other highlights), The Beatrix Potter Society has loaned us two walking sticks which originally belonged to Beatrix and William. The sticks began life in Cumbria but found their way to Maurice Sendak in the States (author of ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ who sadly died last year). They then went to the Beatrix Potter Society, who handed them to us to display for this year.



Beatrix and William's walking sticks on loan from The Beatrix Potter Society.



So, come along and see us at Hill Top and The Beatrix Potter Gallery – we’re now open!

Jo.

PS. A bit of exclusive news - I thought you might like to see these photos from Wray Castle. We were all really excited when Rose demonstrated that the portcullis is now working! So when the Castle opens in March, we’ll be able to have the ceremonial raising and lowering of the portcullis each day!!