Spectacular finds
Last week, we were finally able to start checking out the costumes that had been stored in the East Front bedroom’s drawers.
As they were carefully lifted out of their storage and unpacked, we were aghast at how beautiful they all were. Pauline Loven, who is a historical costume expert, came to reveal more about the costumes’ ages and origins. Pauline is part of the Crow’s Eye production team who will be filming a mini-documentary at the Hall later in the spring about how gentlemen would dress in the eighteenth century.
Whilst two of the dresses that were unpacked were thought to have been altered for fancy dress purposes, it was clear that they were still old and intricate garments possibly dating back to the eighteenth century. There was a yellow, silk taffeta gentlemen’s jacket that was richly embroider with silver metallic thread. There were also three waistcoats that had an intricate, symmetrical pattern embroidery that looked so detailed it could have been produced by a machine. These three waistcoats looked like new, but Pauline felt that they were also from the late eighteenth century.
The best find by far was a silk chiffon 1920s dress that was decorated with pearls. After some extensive research and hunting through old photographs, it is believed that this was the wedding dress of Margaret Massingberd-Mundy when she married Godfrey Massingberd-Mundy. Margaret was the mother of the former Squire, Adrian. It was a very exciting when we realised this.
The local garage continues to be busy. Ian Gordon, who took over at the garage late last year and is enjoying teaching his son, Tom, the family trade. The old Wolsey he is working on is getting some attention, even though there are increasing numbers of people who are taking their cars in for servicing and repairs. The father and son duo are enjoying working together and ‘cars are in the family’s blood’. Tom is also attending Lincoln College so he can gain a professional qualification as a Level 2 Motor Vehicle Mechanic. Who knows – maybe he will soon be able to teach his dada trick or two!
