ON Friday, September 14, chairman Roger Sutton welcomed a packed audience to a talk given by Sarah McCormick-Healey, Curator of Court Barn, a museum of craft and design from the Arts and Crafts movement onwards.

Court Barn is located in Chipping Campden where there was much activity in the period 1850 to 1915 as this movement took hold and captured the imagination of many.

Sarah’s interesting and informative talk included illustrations of several houses in the Cotswolds along with examples of the kind of designs and crafts that were produced.

Houses that were discussed included Rodmarton Manor and Kelmscott Manor.

As a kind of reaction to the industrialisation that preceded it, the movement grew from a desire to bring back the skill and creativity of the mediaeval craftsman.

Sarah talked about the key figures involved in the movement such as William Morris, John Ruskin and C R Ashbee.

The Cotswolds became a centre of the arts and crafts movement and in the early 1900s 150 guildsmen moved to Chipping Campden.

The craftsmen who worked there included cabinet makers, wood carvers, blacksmiths and silversmiths.

Court Barn was converted into a museum in 2009 and tells the story of the movement.

Sarah was thanked for her very interesting and informative talk.

The evening also welcomed a brief talk by Councillor John Raine on the AONB.

On Civic Society business, Chairman Roger Sutton drew our attention to the numerous activities that we have available, which are listed in the September news sheet or on the website malverncivicsociety.

org.uk.

The society’s annual report will be available for members at the October meeting.

On Friday, October 12, the talk will be given by Duncan James on the buildings of Bromyard and will be held at Christ Church, Avenue Road at 7.30pm.

Anyone wishing to join the Civic Society, contact membership secretary Alan Hudson on 01684 893837.

DENISE PRESTON