I love Clare…the Antiques Barn, the tea rooms….was there a number of years ago as it was close to a venue for talk I gave for the Ray Society. I learned about a new wildflower we have under our garden orchard…it is named nipplewort because the seed pods look like nipples. According to the doctrine of signatures by Paracelsus, if it looked like a body part, the plants would cure it, so this plant was used in the early modern era for breastfeeding problmes like chafing. Also read the leaves are edible and used by the Japanese in salads. All these plants have a lot of stories to tell, that is for sure. Enjoyed your substack today.
Your breastfeeding mention suddenly reminded me of when I had mastitis when feeding my second child. I was back at work by then (9 months), and somehow ended up having a deep discussion with the university Vice Principal I worked with about the use of frozen cabbage leaves to relieve mastitis symptoms. His daughter was suffering from the same and he was keen to pass on the knowledge. You could discuss anything with him, and he was a scientist who had read Proust in French.
Listing may be a bit anorakish, but It helps with noticing things, large and small.
We live close to Teesdale in NE England, and the flower meadows in the Dale are very special. A wonderful woman, Dr Margaret Bradshaw, has been studying and cataloguing the flora of the region for decades (she wanders the fells on horseback, even in her nineties) and has found some rare and surprising plants. When we go walking in the region we take immense pleasure and delight in 'plant spotting'.
Another delightful read, Jane. Both my mother and husband are alumni of Schools of Art, Winchester and Bournemouth respectively. Both beautiful buildings; although most of the Fine Art is now at Winchester University, fashion study has returned to the building next to the Guildhall. Fine Art at Bournemouth moved to new premises as Bournemouth University evolved, and Shelley Manor, which the poet’s son had built for his family, is being repurposed as a theatre. We have so many wildflowers in our garden, lovely to behold.
I have just managed to read your Sunday post. Imagine my delight when you referenced Landmark Trust properties. I am currently sitting by the window of Blackhead Lighthouse Landmark Trust (Irish) property, my first holiday with them. Absolutely wonderful!
I agree that buildings can be very hard to get across in a photo! In mine, they’re always lopsided or strangely tapering because I couldn’t get the whole building in. But your photo of the art school windowsill with plants twining around that sturdy towel rail is delightful—all that’s missing is one of those waffle-weave roller towels.
Hi Jane, we met at Hazel and Andrew’s last year and I’ve followed your page ever since. I just wanted to add that close to home … ie an hour up the A1… there are three sets of almshouses from different centuries all in the small town of Stamford. And still used, more or less, for their original purpose!
Hi Helen, thanks for mentioning Stamford. I've had a look at several almshouses/hospitals there and even managed to see inside Browne's Hospital (a friend organised it) - amazing history and buildings.
I loved this piece, Jane. Happy memories of LT holidays (we specialised in towers!). You reminded me of those fascinating 'comments books', full of really interesting stuff. I particularly remember a comment in Stoker's Cottage (where I had gone in order to explore Wicken Fen) which described how small snow drifts built up in the keyhole on dark, winter nights. I can well imagine it! Fortunately, I was there in Spring.
We have stayed in a few LT towers but I think I prefer stations, priories, and places with easier climbs! I love the details - like the one you mention - that people choose to share in the log books.
It is strange what prompts to collect. I get my love of architectrual features and railway stations from my late father's passion for the pre-war buildings in Bristol - many now demolished. I have an impressive collection of photographs of door and doorways, intended for a watercolour project, but curtailed by ill health and a stroke. The local Great p qMalvern station is a gem, recently restored at great cost, but unfortunately the tearoom has been lost in the process. My husband, a dedicated musician, 'collects' organs and old key board instruments- if he can also get to play them so much the better. We now have a 'junior' organist in the family, so visiting organs with Grandpa is a new delight and the making of a new collector. Do you know the Whitgift almshouses in Croydon with the latin inscription and intriguing doorway straight of the main shopping area.
Where to start with this post - so many interesting things. I had a look at the Scottish Landmark Trust properties and boy are they booked up - through 2025 for many of them! The Art Schools project made me think of Scottish art schools and realise we have a couple of gems locally. I'll post a photo on my Instagram, @occasionalscotland. Clara lit Proust is on my wish list - and do we forsee a book by you on almshouses at some point? That would be wonderful.
I started an art foundation course at London Road Northwich, Cheshire. I’ve just looked for photos. An amazing old building. Now flats I believe. Happy memories!
I love Clare…the Antiques Barn, the tea rooms….was there a number of years ago as it was close to a venue for talk I gave for the Ray Society. I learned about a new wildflower we have under our garden orchard…it is named nipplewort because the seed pods look like nipples. According to the doctrine of signatures by Paracelsus, if it looked like a body part, the plants would cure it, so this plant was used in the early modern era for breastfeeding problmes like chafing. Also read the leaves are edible and used by the Japanese in salads. All these plants have a lot of stories to tell, that is for sure. Enjoyed your substack today.
Is it rare? I'm fascinated by the names and uses, but not quite enough to make a proper study of wildflowers!
Not particularly, but an interesting looking plant
Your breastfeeding mention suddenly reminded me of when I had mastitis when feeding my second child. I was back at work by then (9 months), and somehow ended up having a deep discussion with the university Vice Principal I worked with about the use of frozen cabbage leaves to relieve mastitis symptoms. His daughter was suffering from the same and he was keen to pass on the knowledge. You could discuss anything with him, and he was a scientist who had read Proust in French.
Great and very varied post, thank you.
Listing may be a bit anorakish, but It helps with noticing things, large and small.
We live close to Teesdale in NE England, and the flower meadows in the Dale are very special. A wonderful woman, Dr Margaret Bradshaw, has been studying and cataloguing the flora of the region for decades (she wanders the fells on horseback, even in her nineties) and has found some rare and surprising plants. When we go walking in the region we take immense pleasure and delight in 'plant spotting'.
Another delightful read, Jane. Both my mother and husband are alumni of Schools of Art, Winchester and Bournemouth respectively. Both beautiful buildings; although most of the Fine Art is now at Winchester University, fashion study has returned to the building next to the Guildhall. Fine Art at Bournemouth moved to new premises as Bournemouth University evolved, and Shelley Manor, which the poet’s son had built for his family, is being repurposed as a theatre. We have so many wildflowers in our garden, lovely to behold.
I have just managed to read your Sunday post. Imagine my delight when you referenced Landmark Trust properties. I am currently sitting by the window of Blackhead Lighthouse Landmark Trust (Irish) property, my first holiday with them. Absolutely wonderful!
What an amazing place to stay! Hope you have a good holiday there.
I agree that buildings can be very hard to get across in a photo! In mine, they’re always lopsided or strangely tapering because I couldn’t get the whole building in. But your photo of the art school windowsill with plants twining around that sturdy towel rail is delightful—all that’s missing is one of those waffle-weave roller towels.
Hi Jane, we met at Hazel and Andrew’s last year and I’ve followed your page ever since. I just wanted to add that close to home … ie an hour up the A1… there are three sets of almshouses from different centuries all in the small town of Stamford. And still used, more or less, for their original purpose!
Hi Helen, thanks for mentioning Stamford. I've had a look at several almshouses/hospitals there and even managed to see inside Browne's Hospital (a friend organised it) - amazing history and buildings.
I loved this piece, Jane. Happy memories of LT holidays (we specialised in towers!). You reminded me of those fascinating 'comments books', full of really interesting stuff. I particularly remember a comment in Stoker's Cottage (where I had gone in order to explore Wicken Fen) which described how small snow drifts built up in the keyhole on dark, winter nights. I can well imagine it! Fortunately, I was there in Spring.
We have stayed in a few LT towers but I think I prefer stations, priories, and places with easier climbs! I love the details - like the one you mention - that people choose to share in the log books.
It is strange what prompts to collect. I get my love of architectrual features and railway stations from my late father's passion for the pre-war buildings in Bristol - many now demolished. I have an impressive collection of photographs of door and doorways, intended for a watercolour project, but curtailed by ill health and a stroke. The local Great p qMalvern station is a gem, recently restored at great cost, but unfortunately the tearoom has been lost in the process. My husband, a dedicated musician, 'collects' organs and old key board instruments- if he can also get to play them so much the better. We now have a 'junior' organist in the family, so visiting organs with Grandpa is a new delight and the making of a new collector. Do you know the Whitgift almshouses in Croydon with the latin inscription and intriguing doorway straight of the main shopping area.
I love Great Malvern station - a real beauty! No, I haven't seen the Whitgift almshouses but I think I should go and have look. Thanks.
Where to start with this post - so many interesting things. I had a look at the Scottish Landmark Trust properties and boy are they booked up - through 2025 for many of them! The Art Schools project made me think of Scottish art schools and realise we have a couple of gems locally. I'll post a photo on my Instagram, @occasionalscotland. Clara lit Proust is on my wish list - and do we forsee a book by you on almshouses at some point? That would be wonderful.
I started an art foundation course at London Road Northwich, Cheshire. I’ve just looked for photos. An amazing old building. Now flats I believe. Happy memories!