A birthday day out

It was my birthday this week. Quite often Roger has organised a birthday surprise day out but this year I asked if we could go to The Workhouse at Southwell.(pronounced Sothel - don't you love the English language!)

I particularly wanted to go there because the Midlands Textile Forum, which I have just joined, has an exhibition there: Identity.

As with many National Trust properties there was a one way system around the main building.  My plan had been to go to the top floor, see the Identity exhibition, and wotk our way down through the rooms.  However, this was thwarted, so the exhibition was in the final rooms we came to.

There were lots of different techniques on show and some interesting interpretations of the theme.  I think what came over most was that MTF members had been really taken with the idea of loss of identity.  All residents of the Workhouse had to hand over all their possessions and in return were given a numbered uniform.  The whole ethos of the Workhouse was for it to be plain and boring so that the residents would be encouraged to want to find a way of earning their living outside the workhouse and therefore be able to leave.  However they were looked after well so some of them didn't want to leave.  However boring the food - they did get meals 3 times a day.

You can find lots of photographs of the exhibition on the Midlands Textile Forum Instagram account.

From The Workhouse we went to Southwell Minster.

By this time it was well past lunchtime so we went off to find a pub.  We eventually found The Red Lion at Thurgarton where we had a fabulous meal.  We didn't arrive until 2.25pm so sat in solitary splendour in The Parlour.  The pub has many dining rooms and there were people in the pub.

We set off home after our meal.  I wish I had taken a photo when we got back.  The grey wheelie bin was in the porch.  Removing the bin, we found a flower arrangement and behind the upright doormat we found a box of chocolates.  All sent by the Hopper Juniors and Minis in Australia.

Thanks for joining me today
Bernice