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Woodbridge Musem Visit to Northampton July 6th 2016

"Would you like to come on a trip to Northampton with the Friends of Woodbridge Museum?”, my friend Liz asked me. My first reaction was, why would anyone want go to Northampton? A large collection of shoes was mentioned as was a Rennie Mackintosh house. Memories of "The Northampton Boot Company" where my mother used to buy my shoes and geography teachers saying Northampton was a boot and shoe town came flooding back. That coupled with my dislike of Mackintosh furniture made me say "Yes, please".

The journey was very pleasant – both scenery and company. When we arrived, we took the house option. The unassuming Regency terraced house had been completely redesigned by Mackintosh, although its very size kept some of its original cosiness. His architectural alterations were superb and added greatly to the layout of the house. His interiors, especially the lounge/hall and the guest room, were stunning, but I did sympathize with Mrs Bassett-Lowke's need for homely touches. The whole house tour was very well organized, informative and well worth the visit.

We were advised to go to church for lunch; the portico of the magnificent All Saints had been converted into a cafe which overlooked the town square. The food, the situation and the beautiful golden stone buildings gave the whole meal a continental feel.

After lunch, we went to the museum, a very imposing building. The town history section was very well presented but I was a little disappointed with the shoe display. The collection was incredible, but the display was dark and I could not see the rationale behind the order. Despite this, the whole collection was fascinating and an absolute must to visit.

We needed tea by this time and went back to no. 78, Derngate where we were served a very English tea from traditional pots, in china cups. The journey home was uneventful and blissfully restful. I was so glad I had said "Yes, please", because the whole day was so beautifully organized and researched by Anne and her husband and so full of interest – although I still don't like Mackintosh furniture!

Peter Carr

What an interesting day!

What a full, interesting and thought-provoking day it was, the day of the Friends' visit to Northampton. Billed as a visit to see "78, Derngate, the only house in England to be designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh" and the Northampton Museum "which charts the history of the shoemaking industry as well as having two superb galleries on the history of the town itself".

Each of us will have taken away their own memory hoard from the day's visual riches. For me, on a first visit, the town itself made a strong positive impression, with its warm honey-coloured stone buildings, thriving market, astonishing Guildhall and historic parish church. The museum raised unanswered questions on how best to display the world's largest collection of shoes, but redeemed itself with what is indeed a superbly engaging thematic history of the town.

For many, the Mackintosh house was the star attraction, a tiny house, two rooms on each of three floors plus a basement kitchen and an attic (for the maid). The front door opens straight into the front room. No parlour this! Instead, a reception hall in black and gold, resoundingly Mackintosh. Formal, resplendent, darkly rich, almost heraldic. A couch in the window bay, a stylish fireplace, some space for a few books, stairs leading off. A room in which to meet and greet, a room to shock perhaps, but above all to impress by being different.

Each room in the house was full of interest and a fascinating and variable mix of Mackintosh and the ideas and taste of the owners. For me, though, the outstanding feature was the way in which the internal space had been transformed by the addition of a small full-height rear extension, adding a substantial glazed bay or airy balcony to each room : wow! And finally, full marks to the trustees and volunteers who run the house; all is superbly done.

Early one morning . . .

Off we set, Northampton-bound

Over Middle England's fertile plains

To a very English county town

With a Scottish jewel in its crown.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

How very odd to find him here.

Amazing that a Georgian wall

Can hide his bold reception hall.

Off to the museum to see the shoes

From here and there around the world:

So many kinds, both old and new

For human feet - and animals too!

Thank you, Anne, for a full-on day

What more can one possibly say?!

AEC