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!

     

29th April – A Celebration Indeed!

29th April – A Celebration Indeed!

Crimea Medal of William Davies of LlanbisterWe have another special reason for celebrating on 29th April – The Judge’s Lodging has just been awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the new Presteigne Community Collections Project.

Did you know that we hold a local history collection of over 2,000 objects ? From photos and paperwork of Presteigne people & businesses, to clothes, shop items, toys, tools and war memorabilia.

Thanks to the support of HLF and the Welsh Assembly Government, we will now be working on two brand new rooms just for you – one permanent display room on Presteigne, with a chill-out space, toys & books for everyone aged 1 to 100+, computer interactives and a great selection of hot drinks. The other room will become our new temporary exhibition gallery, which will house a changing programme of displays and events working with YOU, the people of our community and our supporters.

 So what do you want?  If you are in town for the Royal Wedding street party, then you can come along and tell us. Drop in  between 2-6pm and  meet some of the star items that form YOUR heritage collection.  Have a free cuppa with us, look at hundreds of photos, find out a bit more about our plans and take the Mystery Object challenge.

Be a part of your history – get involved with this exciting new project!

We are looking for local people to join us in this exciting new work.  There are all sorts of things you can do to be a part of your museum – help us look after the objects themselves, research, work on events, put exhibitions together, even gardening, if that is your thing.

There will be exciting training and workshops on looking after museum objects, working with images, family history, oral history and more over the next year.   You don’t need to commit yourself to anything right now, just let us know if you may be interested and we will be in touch really soon.

We are currently putting together a community panel who will meet four times over the next year to look at subject matter for the new displays and the sorts of exhibitions you would like to see happen in the new space. If you would be interested in joining this, please let us know as soon as possible.

If you can’t pop down on the 29th, don’t worry, we’re always happy to listen to your ideas.  Talk to Gaby or Dave if you see them – drop in, call us on 01544 260650 or, easiest to get to us quickly – email us on info@judgeslodging.org.uk

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