St Michael and All Angels Parish Church Ledbury
If you are making a visit to Ledbury, it is hard to miss its parish church. Its spire can be seen from many miles around but disappears when you find yourself on the town’s High Street. Follow the picturesque cobbled lane that leads away from the distinctive black and...
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In Praise of Cork
Cork, a beautiful material which has fallen from favour in recent years following over-exposure in the 1970’s, has a fascinating history and stunning properties. In a world that must manage resources more and more carefully, re-considering the use of cork is a great...
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Kilpeck Church
The beautiful little church of St Mary and St David at Kilpeck is one of the glories of Herefordshire. Head west from Ledbury towards Wales, between the Dye and Dore valleys, to the tiny hamlet of Kilpeck (pop 211) and there you will find an architectural gem; a...
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It’s All About Expression – Petr Horáček – Artist, Illustrator and Writer
Today I had my passport photograph taken. I sat in a booth and followed a disembodied voice instructing me to adjust my seat, take care to neither smile or frown and look straight ahead. I waited a few moments for the results. I didn’t recognise the person in the...
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Ukrainian Pysanky Eggs – tightening the chains……
Following last year's trip to Ukraine, we are bringing some of Ukraine to Ledbury this March with a Pysanky Egg Workshop and Traditional Ukrainian Lunch held at Tinsmiths and run by Nataliya Cummings (Experience Ukraine) and Helena Orlowski. Traditional Psanky Eggs...
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Things to do and see in Ledburyshire 2018
We are so lucky to be based in Herefordshire, which we maintain is the most beautiful and interesting county in the UK. So to start the year we began listing on our website what happens in this area on an annual basis. Then, because this year we are having a break...
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Philip Clissett, chairmaker of Bosbury by Terry Rowell
Exactly two hundred years ago, Philip Clissett was born in Birtsmorton, Worcestershire, into a family of chairmakers. He was to become, arguably, the best known of all English rural chairmakers because of his association with the Arts & Crafts Movement. He was born in...
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Tinsmiths Ukranian Visit
In a bid to make my lifestyle business provide me a lifestyle that takes me beyond the office I booked a ‘Textiles Tour’ of the Trans Carpathian region of Ukraine. I have long been fascinated by the culture and folk art of the people of the Carpathian Mountain region...
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Top of the Tree – Chair-maker Lawrence Neal
A sweet, hay-like smell hits you as chair-maker, Lawrence Neal, answers his door. The door opens in to what appears once to have been Victorian Schoolroom, but was in fact the village co-op store. Neville Neal, Lawrence’s father moved his furniture workshop to this...
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Settin’ Off Again – Chairmaker Mike Abbott
Above: an ash settin' chair, right, Mike Abbott settin' “I tried retiring in September 2015 - that lasted about six weeks” laughs Mike who has spent a lot of his working life teaching hundreds of people via his courses and thousands via his books about how to make...
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