Strangers' Newsletter
Huguenots of Spitalfields Strangers' Newsletter - Issue 19
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Newsletter 19 Winter 2018 Huguenot Month Highlights The time just flew by – 44 events, 24 speakers, over 1,700 participants and sunshine throughout (almost)! This is the fifth time you have supported efforts to raise awareness of this country’s remarkable Huguenot heritage. This year we tried to reach out to new audiences hence the wine tasting, photography, drawing and dance events. It was a pleasure to meet up with old friends and make new ones and, as always, fascinating to hear your Huguenot stories. |
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Images courtesy of Jeremy Freedman Photography |
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The response to Skills Day was magical, with children and adults having a go at paper making, plant dyes, map-making and in experiments with the Science Museum. The Huguenots’ skill in banking was highlighted by Tim Kidd; there was Huguenot dress-up with Hannah Birkett from the Huguenot Museum and learning French phrases with Monsieur Paul Baker; the London Guild of Spinners, Dyers and Weavers encouraged embryonic weavers to participate. Diane Watts, Fellow of the Huguenot Society, stepped in to research 50 Huguenot Heroes. Diane’s diligent and much valued efforts will be included in our educational programme. |
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Some comments: “The embroidery workshop was inspiring;” “Everyone was enthusiastic, charming and fun to talk to;” “The organ recital at Christ Church was glorious;” “Loved the talks by The Gentle Author and Dan Cruickshank;” “The walks were so interesting;” “Seeing a dining seat being expertly woven from natural river reeds was really enjoyable;” “It was special to meet all the Huguenot volunteers – your passion was infectious!” Festival photographs can be seen in our Festival Scrapbook. If you have any photographs you would like to share with us, please email them to info@huguenotsofspitalfields.org Huguenot Month was supported by the City of London Corporation, the Huguenot Society, the Worshipful Company of Needlemakers, the Spitalfields Society, Spitalfields Community Group and St John’s Bread and Wine. |
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Dates for your diary |
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6th Annual Huguenot Lecture at the V&A Museum – ‘Miniature Portrait Masterpieces of the Baroque: Huguenot Sculptures in Ivory’ on 5th December 13.00 – 13.45pm in the Hochenhauser Auditorium. Free. Join curator Dr Holly Trusted to see finely-worked ivory portraits depicting aristocratic or noble subjects by Jean Cavalier, Jean Mancel and David Le Marchand. More information on the V&A website |
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The French Wars of Religion, 1562-98: Huguenots, Holy Leagues and Dynasties on 5th December at the Performing Arts Centre, Taunton, at 7.30pm, £2. A talk by Dr Jameson Tucker from the University of Plymouth (Dr Tucker was one of our outstanding speakers in Huguenot Summer) https://www.history.org.uk/events/calendar/5581/the-french-wars-of-religion-1562-98-huguenots |
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Christ Church Spitalfields (where many Huguenots were baptised, married and buried) is holding Christmas services in December: Christmas at the Five at 5pm on the 9th; Live Nativity Service at 10.30am on the 16th; Carols by Candlelight at 5pm on the 16th; Carols round the Tree at 5pm on the 24th; Christmas Day Celebration at 10.30am on the 25th. |
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Eglise Protestante, Soho Square W1D 3QD Services are held in French every Sunday at 11am. The French Protestant congregation moved here in 1893 and additionally built a French school just a few steps away. |
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Huguenot Museum, Rochester, Children’s Christmas activity: a world of miniatures on December 20th and 21st - drop in, no need to book (£2 per child or free with a Family Day ticket) for this inspiring session www.huguenotmuseum.org/events |
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Dennis Severs’ House: Christmas Installation Curator David Milne creates a truly magical experience for visitors to enjoy this Spitalfields house in all its festive glory. Ends 4 January 2019 https://www.dennissevershouse.co.uk/christmas/ |
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Deck the Halls at Sutton House, Hackney E9 6JQ For many years the home of Huguenot merchant Ralph Sadleir and one of the few urban National Trust properties. Experience Christmas through the years from the Tudors, to the Georgians and Victorians, with mulled wine and mince pies. Ends 23rd December. |
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Museum of London & Museum of London Docklands Home to many Huguenot artefacts including Mrs Fanshawe’s dress. These two museums are celebrating Christmas in a creative way with workshops and cruises inspired by the old Thames Frost Fairs https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk |
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The House Mill, Bromley by Bow Christmas Fayre – 2nd December. It was a Huguenot, Daniel Bisson, who built this Grade I listed tidal mill in 1776 - the largest tidal mill in the world. More info on the House Mill website. |
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Looking ahead to 2019... May 18th at 11am - Huguenot Footsteps: Greenwich |
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We were asked |
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Q: Dr Tessa Murdoch mentioned the Threadneedle Street Church at her talk at the Bank of England Museum. Where was it? |
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Q: Where can the wines tasted at the ‘Provence and the Cape: New Wines and Huguenot Influences’ event during Huguenot Month be purchased? |
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Q: I couldn’t attend Dr Alistair Duke’s talk ‘There’s scarcely a day that my heart doesn’t weep’ – letters from Flemish and Walloon Women to their families in England. Do you have copies of the letters? |
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Q: Is the Weaver’s House in Coventry linked to the Huguenots? |
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Q: Is Picardie Village in Edinburgh anything to do with Huguenot refugees fleeing from northern France? |
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Q: My ancestors lived in Church Street, now Fournier Street, Spitalfields, and the house numbers have since changed. How can I locate my ancestor’s home? |
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We were told
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Charity News – Advisory Group We were heartened by the number of festival-goers who were interested in the work of our charity. One recent development has been to enlist people with expertise in the fields of faith, heritage, refugees, events, and business to guide us in delivering the different strands of our activities. This year, we took two stands: one to the London Metropolitan Archives on London History Day and another to Huguenot Heritage Day at La Providence in Rochester, where over 400 people attended. |
Volunteer Jonathan Bouffler |
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On this Day Huguenots of Spitalfields asked Elizabeth Randall, editor of the Huguenot Society Journal, to write an article on the anniversary of Louis XIV signing the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. This excellent and informative piece appeared on the Spitalfields Life blog on 22nd October to commemorate this momentous event. Spitalfields Life has a wealth of Huguenot related articles, which are well worth reading. |
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We warmly appreciate all the support and help that you give to the Huguenots of Spitalfields Charity. |
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The views and opinions expressed in these article are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Huguenots of Spitalfields charity. Please contact info@huguenotsofspitalfields.org with your comments, views and contributions or requests for previous issues of the Strangers' Newsletter. The charity is currently led by volunteers so do bear with us if there is a delay in the reply to your message. Visit the Huguenots of Spitalfields website at http://www.huguenotsofspitalfields.org/ |
