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!

     

Latest News

Art@TheLodging

November 20th 2021

Over 20 artists take over the three storeys of The Judge’s Lodging in this stuning selling exhibition Featuring new work from all of the artists.

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Half Term Halloween Trail

October 23rd 2021

Follow the trail around the Judge’s rooms to find spooky objects hidden all around. Win your own creepy craft to take home and make. Free on Friday 29th Oct if…

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Let the Prisoners go FREE…!

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Re-opening at last!

The Judge’s Lodging re-opens on 12th August 2020. Boy, have we missed everyone! We’ve had to change our opening hours a bit, so see the new ones here If you…

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2020 Events postponed

Events at The Judge’s Lodging are currently suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.   We will endeavour to entertain you as much as we can during this time. Our usual events…

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Museum celebrates Welsh Government support

Museum Celebrates Welsh Government Support Press Release 27/8/19   The Judge’s Lodging may have seemed a little quiet to outsiders of late. They have been busy planning their new future, as…

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Museum mourns loss of great actor and friend

PRESS RELEASE:  The Judge’s Lodging museum, the award-winning historic courthouse and judge’s accommodation, has been hugely saddened by the passing of Robert Hardy, a wonderful actor, great mind and staunch…

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Installation of the High Sheriff of Powys

This week, our building will be alive and buzzing with activity of a very special kind. The Installation of the High Sheriff of Powys takes place annually and is held…

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A Job to support the Judge!

The Judge’s Lodging in the heart of Presteigne has always brought visitors to the community, and has also benefited from the community for years. Now more than ever there are…

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Opening our doors with HLF this year!

Press Release The Judge’s Lodging opens its doors with Heritage Lottery Fund this year Since the doors to Radnorshire’s Shire Hall re-opened in 1997, the Judge’s Lodging has been a…

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New Board seeks to raise the bar!

The Judge’s Lodging in Presteigne has recruited a fresh board of Trustees as it moves into a new phase of development. Since its opening in 1997, the former Radnorshire Shire…

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Humbling Hudson’s Heritage Awards second

PRESS RELEASE:  The Judge’s Lodging awarded Second Place at the  Hudson’s Heritage Awards 2016 The Judge’s Lodging in Presteigne had a rather special start to its season this year. Whilst…

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Student Conservator of the Year award!

“…an impressive and complex project which had a great impact on a small museum.  Significant in terms of the methodology used and exceptionally well researched, the project speaks to the…

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Ethiopian Emperor’s shield causing excitement

PRESS RELEASE   The Judge’s Lodging is very excited to discover that a young museum conservator, who recently worked on a project with them, has been shortlisted to the final…

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The Judge’s Lodging brings Napoleon to Powys!

PRESS RELEASE  Napoleon & Powys is the exciting new exhibition recently opened at The Judge’s Lodging, focussing on the effects of the Napoleonic Wars, which 200 years ago were brought…

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Presteigne & The Great War

Our World War One project is now officially underway. If you or your family are, or were, from the Presteigne area, please do get involved!  

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Britain’s Best Hidden Gem – it’s official!

The Judge’s Lodging in Presteigne has won the award for Best Hidden Gem in the UK’s Hudson’s Heritage Awards 2014. The winners of the 2014 Hudson’s Heritage Awards were revealed…

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BBC get stuck into Christmas jelly with us!

See what Dr Lucy Worsley has to say about working with us here ! Anyone strolling through Presteigne in October may have seen  the odd sight of bundles of holly,…

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