Visit to Towneley Hall and Off Shoots

Back in August 2014, some 20 members and wives enjoyed a wonderful guided trip round Towneley Hall and Off Shoots Hall see http://burnley.co.uk/visit/culture/towneley-hall/ followed by a visit to the Off Shoots.

Our guide round the hall took us into parts that normal visitors do not see and allowed us beyond the rope barriers.  The most entrancing object was this reredos attributed to an Antwerp sculptor of 1510-20.

We looked particularly at the bottom middle part “Taking down the cross”.   Being closer than normal and having a strong light shone on it we could (we think) see how it was carved. There are layers of carvings that had been carved separately and then joined to make the whole piece.  I had often suspected this but never been able to see the proof.

There is evidence of a join to the left of the round crown to the left of the woman front left.

After lunch we visited Off Shoots, a Permaculture experiment of some 17 years standing.    We soon drifted to the bodger Brian see www.tribalfurniture.co.uk who gave us a demonstration of pole lathe turning.