Strange But True

Strange But True

Inexpressibles
The name given to the tight trousers worn by some Regency gentlemen, such as the notorious Beau Brummell and his ‘dandy’ followers, as they showed off their leg muscles.
What did Victoria do first
after her coronation in 1837? Have a parliamentary meeting? Have tea with all the royal dignitaries? No – she gave her dog, Dash, a bath.
Now that’s what we call a cake!
Victoria and Albert’s wedding cake was a colossal 9 feet wide and weighed 300 pounds.
Victorian ladies’ knickers had no middle
Once they got all those big dresses on, they couldn’t reach their knickers to pull them down, so they could stand over a potty to wee with these on instead.
Would you wee in your dining room?
Victorian gentlemen did! Some dining rooms (like ours) had a special cupboard to house a chamber pot so all the gentlemen could go for a wee without leaving the table (once the ladies had left the room, of course!).
The last ducking stool to be used in England
(in 1809) can still be seen not far from us in the Priory Church, Leominster, Herefordshire. It’s huge.

Handy Hints

Handy Hints

An insect trap
Scoop out the inside of a turnip, scallop the edges, and place it downward in the earth. The insects will pass into it as a place of retreat through the holes, and the cucumbers, squashes, melons etc., may soon be clear of them. 1852

As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!
Anti-magnetic properties of the onion
The magnetic power of a compass needle, will be entirely discharged or changed by being touched with the juice of an onion.

As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!
To clean gilt buckles, chains &c.
Dip a soft brush in water, rub a little soap on it, and brush the article for a minute or two, then wash it clean, wipe it, and place it near the fire till dry, then brush it with burnt bread finely powdered. 1823

As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!
To remove grease from books
Lay upon the spoon a little magnesium or powdered chalk, and under it the same; set on it a warm flat iron, and as soon as the grease is melted, it will be all absorbed, and leave the paper clean. 1852

As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!
Antidote against mice
Gather wild mint, put it where you wish to keep them out, and they will not trouble you. 1852

As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!
Keeping your kettle clean
To prevent teakettles coating with lime – put the shell of an oyster in the teakettle and the lime will adhere to it, instead of coating the sides. 1852
As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

Community

Presteigne Community Collection

We’re not all about Victorian life and the legal system you know!

At The Judge’s Lodging we hold an ever-growing local history collection. The basis of this collection came from the Presteigne & District Museum, which was formed in 1973 and was situated in the basement of the building, until restoration was started in the 1990s.

The collection was gifted to The Judge’s Lodging, when the latter opened in 1997 and has since continued to grow, thanks largely to donations from local people. Today this collection consists of around 5000 photographs, documents, textiles and social history objects relating to the town of Presteigne, its inhabitants and surrounding area from pre-historic times to the 20th century.

When you come to us, the impressiveness of the period rooms is at the fore of a visit, but numerically, the Presteigne community collection us actually some 80% of what we own. Some items have been incorporated into the period rooms, whilst others are stored safely and used for research, education sessions and for a rolling programme of exhibitions in our local history gallery area. We have a wonderful team of volunteers who are dedicated just to care of this collection. Admission to community exhibitions is free.

If you have a local history enquiry, want help with your own research or have an object for which you think this collection might be a good home, please do get in touch. Call 01544 260650 or email info@judgeslodging.org.uk and ask to speak to Gaby or Dave.

We’re working on it!

Here’ we are going to add online information about all of our past community exhibitions, so do come back.

Our Collections