Report of the display of Redlynch textile map at Salisbury Museum 19 June 2010.

On Saturday, 19th June, Salisbury Cathedral and various buildings in the Close opened their doors to the public, with various displays, exhibitions and events taking place throughout the day. The Museum was one of the places offering additional attractions and the History Society was very privileged to be given a room in which to set up an exhibition surrounding the Redlynch map, now there on permanent display.

The three dimensional textile map was begun, following local research, in 1986 and covers an area of 36 miles, with Redlynch at its centre. It was interesting to see people trying to spot places such as the Pepperbox at Pepperbox Hill, Breamore House, Hale House, Hamptworth Lodge and New House – not to mention The Cuckoo Inn – all clearly predicted. Visitors local to the area found their own homes, traced their journeys to schools and other places and reminisced about life in the village in general, whilst those from further afield showed great interest in how the map was made, the materials which had been used and the processes which had been involved.

Alongside the map two folders were also on display, both compiled as part of the Redlynch Map Project. One contained photographs depicting the abundance of wild flowers to be found in the area throughout the year, whilst the other, made by the children of Morgan’s Vale and Woodfalls School, depicted what people living in the village in 1986 would miss most. Although only just under twenty-five years have passed it is interesting to see how many things have, in fact, altered. There are no longer any garages selling petrol, post offices and shops have closed, as has the hairdressing salon in Slab Lane, but other things have remained the same – the Churches, the Village Hall, the Playing Fields and the local Community spirit.

The first meeting of our new year will be on Tuesday, 7th September, at 7.30pm in Morgan’s Vale and Woodfalls Village Hall, when Ros Liddington will give the talk ‘Through Russian Eyes – Wilton and the Crimea meet!’ All are welcome.

Following this the Society will have their own Open Morning and Exhibition with the theme ‘People and Families’ on Saturday, 23rd September, 11am to 3pm in Morgans Vale and Woodfalls Hall. If anyone has anything which they would like to contribute, please contact Kate Crouch, 01725 511922.