Four Shires Magazine

Saturday, Feb 04th

Last update:27 Jan 11:59 GMT

Latest Articles:

Exhibition reveals Spencers hidden history of underwear

Fly tipper fined thousands

Henry Moore Arts Council collection at Leamington Spa

Julian Hartnoll sale at Holloways

Out and About

Exhibition reveals Spencers hidden history of underwear

Jeremy Wilton

Banbury Museum’s new exhibition 'Revealed: The Underwear Revolution', uncovers the history of underwear. It tells the hidden story of how underwear has evolved from the Anglo-Saxon linen smock to the modern memory foam bra.

The exhibition celebrates corset making in Banbury with original documents, photographs and corsets from Spencer (Banbury) Limited.

Cherwell District Council's lead member for environment, Cllr James Macnamara, said; "For many who worked at the Britannia Road site this exhibition will bring back memories. Visitors can hear accounts of life in the Spencer factory during and after the Second World War, recorded earlier this year at the museum’s ‘Times Gone By’ reminiscence group.

Cllr Macnamara added: "The exhibition will appeal to Downton Abbey fans - it's a chance to find out what Lady Grantham might have worn!"

Also on show is a woven blue silk dress, made in 1750, that needed special underwear for support. Other exhibition highlights include a machine-made cage crinoline - a skirt-shaped structure, fashionable in the late nineteenth century. The contraption, which sports 19 spring steel wire hoops, was preserved by conservators before going on show. Children can try on a replica eighteenth century quilted petticoat or Tudor shirt as part of a dressing-up activity.

Sarah Morton, from Oxfordshire County Council, said: "Revealed focuses on how innovation and technology changed what we wore beneath our clothes. It tells a fascinating story and I think people may never think of underwear in the same way again."

Fellow conservator Sam van de Geer presented a behind-the-scenes view of the conservation and display of textiles last Wednesday evening as part of Banbury Museum’s new Museum Plus programme. For more details of this and other activities at the museum visit www.banburymuseum.org or phone 01295 753752.

The ‘Revealed’ exhibition is open until 18 February. Entry is free

Henry Moore Arts Council collection at Leamington Spa

Jeremy Wilton

From 23rd February - 15 April 2012 a new display at Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum explores the work of Henry Moore (1898-1986) in the Arts Council Collection. Moore is one of Britain's most celebrated and pioneering modern artists and is a key figure for the Arts Council Collection; he was an important advisor to the acquisitions committee during the early 1950s, shaping the sculpture collection by advocating the acquisition of a significant group of post-war British sculpture by artists including Kenneth Armitage, Lynn Chadwick and Barbara Hepworth.
Pictured: Working Model, Henry Moore, 1952, Bronze. © The Henry Moore Foundation. Courtesy Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London.

Julian Hartnoll sale at Holloways

Jeremy Wilton

Early 2012 sees Post War British art experiencing a resurgence of interest, with three Post War exhibitions taking place next year in London alone.
Iconic among the Post War artists are the Kitchen Sink realists, considered so important in the 1950s that they represented Great Britain at the 1956 Venice Biennale.
2012 also marks the 50th anniversary of Julian Hartnoll’s career as a dealer. He is taking the anniversary as a moment to rationalise his business and has decided to sell some of his considerable stock through Holloway’s of Banbury.
The sale will consist of 320 framed paintings and drawings and will reflect the areas that Julian has dealt in during his career – namely, Kitchen Sink Realists John Bratby RA, Edward Middleditch and Jack Smith; as well paintings and drawings by the 'Indian Picasso' Francis Newton Souza (1924-2002) and a group of Victorian paintings, drawings and watercolours. The sale commences at 11.00am February 21st in Banbury.

Northamptonshire open studios

Cathy Black

Northamptonshire Open Studios is the largest visual arts event in and around the county; now celebrating its 15th year. Artists invite you into their studios during the first two weeks of September to witness the inspiration and motivation that drives them to create. Step inside a pottery, discuss carving or watch demonstrations; the free full colour brochure will show you the huge range of activities featured.

Each year the event begins with a Launch Exhibition, this year hosted by Northampton Museum & Art Gallery. The Exhibition begins on 27th Aug - 9th Oct. This is an ideal place to view the range of work available. For details please pick up a brochure or visit the website at www.openstudios.org.uk to get the latest information.

Students forge ahead!

Jeremy Wilton

Blacksmithing students at Warwickshire College’s Moreton Morrell centre showed their spark in a recent competition.

Fifteen students on the blacksmithing diploma took a sweep of awards at the recent Malvern Three Counties show, winning prizes in the live competitions, scooping first, second and third places in the ‘student static’ competition and prizes in the ‘traditional static’ and ‘contemporary static’ competitions.

The students made a range of designs, all individually inspired by heritage, art and their own interests and passions. The designs included; sculptural pieces, tables, a clock, a fire pit, a staircase, a mirror, candlesticks, gates and wall hangings. Some students sold their pieces at the show, whilst others had already been commissioned to make pieces to order.

Student Clement Dubessay became the Overall Reserve Show Champion, for his clock. He also came first in the student competition and second in the professional contemporary competition.

He said: “My clock is an old, traditional design with a contemporary twist. I have designed it as a gift for my parents, as a thank you for helping me get through the course. My hard work has paid off, I’m surprised, but really pleased to win this award.”

Blacksmithing tutor Michelle Parker commented: “The group have been excellent this year, they have worked really hard, even coming in on their days off to get the work finished. I’m very proud of them, they have achieved a really high standard of work for the level of course.”

There are still places on the blacksmithing course, starting in September 2011 at Moreton Morrell. Visit warwickshire.ac.uk for more information

For more details, contact Jo Lockyer on 01926 318216: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Rounders on demand - book your free game!

Jim Kook

If you’re looking for something to do with work colleagues, pub mates, family or friends this summer then try Cherwell District Council and GO Active's Rounders On Demand service.

GO Active can provide all the equipment and a trained leader for any suitable venue. Games can be in the daytime or in the evening, depending on availability. You'll need to have at least ten people, with a minimum of five adults, taking part. Children need to be at least 8 years of age.

Rounders on Demand is perfect for office team building, pub team fun, big family events or even summer fetes. You just need to contact the team and check availability then we’ll come to you, teach you the rules and help you enjoy this activity.

Councillor James Macnamara, Cherwell's lead member for environment, said: “The rounders on demand service is totally free and flexible, making it a great way to keep fit and healthy. I’m sure lots of groups will take advantage of this offer. And because GO Active receives national funding this service costs nothing to the council tax payer.”

For more information, or to check availability, phone 07817 616701 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For general information about GO Active phone 01295 221715 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more details about local activities try the GO Active website www.getoxfordshireactive.org