Visiting The Old House Hereford
I knew that I really should have been Christmas shopping. I've walked past The Old House Museum for the last twenty years and somehow felt now was the time to re-acquaint myself. Thirty minutes away from the hustle of the High Town was altogether restoring. The House...
What do Printer’s do all Day? January Calendar Post
"I'm a compositor" Martin Clark explains, "but not many people will know what that is these days, so you'd better use the term 'letterpress printer'". Martin has worked at Tilley Printing for over fifty years, from the age of fifteen when he started as apprentice, to...
Sunny Todd – giving it some thought
There is something very inspiring about passion. In this case, I mean passion for one's work. Sunny visited us with samples of his textile designs a few month's ago and we were struck by his commitment, enthusiasm and drive. His designs are dramatic, bold and bright,...
Game – December Calendar Post
Serendipity! Just as I was wondering what to write about ‘Game’ for our December calendar blog, into the shop walked my good friend Mark Coleman clutching and envelope of old pictures that he wanted advice on how to frame. The pictures were all taken on the Glanusk...
Bangers – November Calendar Post
Bangers that go off in the sky early in November are best accompanied by bangers that warm the onlooker. Guy Fawkes night and a hot dog, just like a horse and carriage. Dave Waller is one of the counties most recogniseable butchers and I visited him on the 36th...
Pears – October Calendar Blog
It looks like being a bumper year for orchard fruits. My conference pears could hang for a few more days before picking but the sight of them spurred me on yesterday to cook a favorite pear recipe, so simple and yet really stunning visually and to one's taste buds....
Damsons – September’s Calendar Blog
Damsons have been part of the Herefordshire landscape for centuries and are common in Cumbria, Shropshire and Herefordshire. Their uses are various and include use as a boundary hedging plant, for dye-stuff and for culinary uses. Daiv Sizer has written a quite...
Andrew Davidson – the complete set of Harry Potter Covers
Following up my last post, and for woodengravers, print lovers and J.K. Rowling enthusiasts, here are four of the seven covers completed in seven weeks - an amazing achievement. As Andrew says, the later covers get "darker" and more dramatic - following the telling of...
Harry Potter and ………
We stage artist and printmaker, Andrew Davidson's solo show here next month. Andrew has just completed seven covers for Bloomsbury's next edition of the complete series of Harry Potter books, the first four of which have just been released. Andrew, who works almost...
Potatoes
Partial to a potato cake? Can’t pass a crisp chip? Sausages undressed without gravy and mash? The worthy potato covers so many bases and grows very well in the rich, red Herefordshire soils. But last week I learned it has a higher calling. Deep in the verdant lanes of...
Bulkhead Lights
With their roots back in industrial, and particularly maritime history, bulkhead lights have a rugged appeal. Developed in the early part of the twentieth century for use on ships and in marine settings the rigorous demands of these environments have lead to common...
Elderberry Delights
What a year for blossom. The scent of elderflowers is intoxicating - speaking of which here is the quickest, easiest and most rewarding recipe. Elderflower Champagne Needed: 12 ltr bucket, plastic bottles, 4 large heads of Elderflower picked in full sun, 10 litres of...