In March 2023, a group of seven people worked with Duncan to create individual designs, each inspired by Calverley Old Hall in some way. Participants took inspiration from both the building and its history, using motifs from the Painted Chamber, family crest, and even a 400-year-old play.
Each of the designs tells the story of Calverley Old Hall in a different way. Participants worked with Duncan to learn more about screen printing techniques, each transferring their design using a paint blocker onto a screen which was then allowed to dry.
Once dry, participants were able to use these screens to hand print their designs onto a tote bag, which they could take away with them at the end of the session.
The individual motifs were then worked into a design by Duncan, who used each motif as a panel with a larger frame around the outside, inspired by the Calverley family chest, which was said to have once held all the family papers on site. The chest has never been discovered, however there are references to it in surviving historical documents.
Once worked into a full design, the motifs were individually screen printed by members of the public who attended our Open Day in September 2023, forming lengths of material which were then turned into curtains by Duncan.
The inspiration behind each of the designs can be found below:
Thank you to Duncan and to everyone who took part in the printing on our Open Day, and a special thanks to those who helped to create the designs:
- Jennie Wall
- Debbie Crampton
- Karen Mendes
- Sarah Welsh
- Nisey Sampson
- Andy Sampson
- Louise Atkinson
Read more about the repair and restoration of Calverley Old Hall.
The repair and conversion of Calverley Old Hall is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, and a host of other supporters, we have been able to rescue and restore this Grade-1 listed building for future generations.
