Revealing the Restoration of Shaw HouseTwo special events at Shaw House in Newbury during July will allow visitors a glimpse into the fascinating details of how West Berkshire Council restored this Grade I Elizabethan manor house through a £6million lottery project with grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage and Vodafone On Sunday 5th July from 11am to 5pm “The Restoration: The Story” will allow visitors to see, through film and photographs, what the House was like before work began and get a feel for the work involved in bringing it back into use. They can find out about the archaeological discoveries that were made while the work was underway such as the Elizabethan bakehouse under the café and experience for themselves the results of this amazing project. Admission charges apply, please see http://www.shawhouse.org.uk for details. In a Shaw House Lecture, “The Reality of Restoration”, on Thursday 9th July, Brian Anderson, Senior Principal Architect at Purcell Miller Tritton, the architects for the restoration project, will provide a first hand account of the experiences involved in the project. He will explore the challenges of repairing and conserving the House and give a unique insight into the decisions that had to be made. The lecture starts at 7:45pm. Tickets are priced £6.40 which includes admission to the House from 7pm and refreshments after the lecture. Tickets should be purchased from the House in advance. Shaw House is now open every weekend until Christmas. There are six historic rooms to look round with Wheelie Do activities, from designing the landscape gardens to playing a civil war board game. Additional varied activities can be found in 1581 Chambers. Baby changing facilities are available and high chairs in the café. The new exhibition, explores the history of the house and the current special exhibition “Peeling Back the Years” focuses on historic wallpaper used at the House and explains the recreation of two stunning schemes from the late 1720s and the 1750s. Lots of events are planned for 2009. Visit http://www.shawhouse.org.uk or call 01635 279279. Experience learning, enjoyment and inspiration at West Berkshire’s newest attraction, Shaw House near Newbury.
Built in 1581 by Newbury clothier Thomas Dolman this fine Elizabethan building was home to successive Dolman families, the flamboyant Duke of Chandos and the Andrews and Farquhar families. Shaw House then began a new life as a school for generations of local children. However in 1985 Shaw House was vacated due to concerns about the structure of the building.
To complete your visit don’t miss our Café and the Gift Shop which stocks something for all visitors from nostalgic ex-pupils to younger visitors and those with a sweet tooth! |
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