What do traditional Indian textiles and Winterbourne have in common? The answer: quite a lot! Last year, we were visited by members of a Sikh temple in Walsall. Some of the women were particularly excited by the textiles and wallpapers at Winterbourne, because the botanical imagery reminded them of traditional Indian design. Since William Morris…
I met up with volunteer Peta Goodman in the tea room for a morning chat over a cup of tea. Peta, a natural born storyteller, can turn even the most mundane conversations into something magical. She’s a fantastic ambassador for the Winterbourne Press. Natalie: How did you come to volunteer in the Winterbourne Press? Peta:…
If you’ve visited Winterbourne this month, you may have spotted our display of 125 hanging kokedamas along the Nut Walk, blooming with snowdrops. The installation forms part of the widespread celebrations across University of Birmingham, marking 125 years since the University was established by royal charter. If the display has inspired you to get creative…
We love seeing visitors discover the magic of the Winterbourne Press and watching our wonderful volunteers keep 19th century printing techniques alive. But why is there a printing press at Winterbourne – and where did it come from? Read on to discover its provenance. The Winterbourne Press came into existence in 2012, when Winterbourne salvaged…
Nowadays knitting, stitching, embroidery, and crochet are great ways to unwind and get crafty. But, back in the 18-1900s, needlework was an essential skill. Curator Henrietta reveals the importance of needlework in the Nettlefold’s lives by flicking through their photo archives. Knitting and other forms of needlework are becoming increasingly popular as people rediscover the…