I fell in love with the Georgian splendour of Bishton Hall in Staffordshire in 2019 and made the huge decision to buy it – brimming with hopes and dreams, writes Charles Hanson.
I soon discovered I was far from the first to fall for its charms. None other than Josiah Wedgwood, founder of the Wedgwood ceramics company in 1759, visited Bishton and described it as an ‘Earthly Georgian Paradise’.
I have to agree. I immediately adored its period architecture, ambience, and the fact that it offered the perfect backdrop for antiques. Plus, after years spent as a home to a private school, and before that as a family residence, I wanted the public to enjoy its magnificence, either through auctions, events or facilities on site.
The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns put most of my dreams on hold for two years but now Bishton, which dates to circa 1750, is emerging from its cocoon, and I am truly excited. As well as being home to Hansons’ Staffordshire saleroom, it offers Mary’s Café and numerous small businesses including the Mercia Spirit Lab for gin and whisky blending and tasting; Earth Fire Ceramics; The Village Closet offering women’s Italian clothing; The Quirky Emporium and more.
But first and foremost, it is a home to antiques and on January 10, 2023 it will host an inaugural Georgian Auction led by ceramics consultant Dr Richard Halliday. The objective is to offer traditional antiques in a period setting and bring the Georgian era to the forefront of the public consciousness. The sale will offer objects of quality made between 1714 and 1830 across all disciplines – jewellery, silver, glass, ceramics, furniture, pictures, books and more.
There can be few better places to display antiques than Bishton. I am looking forward to seeing it shimmering with classic silver, fine furniture, art and, perhaps, some Wedgwood. If you have any suitable antiques entries are warmly invited for the Georgian sale.
The period was an important time for cultural expansion and it delivered enormous change due to the Industrial Revolution. It also saw the emergence of the Grand Tour, long trips abroad undertaken by wealthy young men to enhance their education.
European tours generally included Italy and Greece and objects from different artistic cultures were brought back to the UK as mementos. The sights and experiences inspired architecture, music and objects manufactured at the time. Items gained a distinctive style, influenced by European art and culture.
This new sale will celebrate that fusion of ideas – and offer opportunities to join this celebration of all things Georgian. There will be public viewing days, two Georgian-themed evenings, talks on the era and live music from a string quartet.
But it is not the only Georgian-inspired event to look forward to. I have teamed up with Yorkshire celebrity chef Nigel Brown to cook up an historical treat for food fans.
The History of Food will bring together the world of cookery and antiques in Bishton’s magnificent period setting. We plan to serve up a menu of culinary events plucked from the mists of time – using my prized recipe book from the 1700s!
Nigel, a cookery school owner and award-winning cookbook author, will join me to take foodie fans on an amazing Georgian journey at Bishton. As well as cookery school events, we plan Georgian dinner evenings, starting on March 4. Nigel will cook up an authentic Georgian three-course dinner at Bishton Hall, which will be served in its grand dining room.
Plus, in the run up to Christmas we plan a Georgian Christmas Stir-up Sunday. Join Nigel and I in the Georgian kitchen at Bishton and stir up your very own Christmas plumb pudding as it would have been made in the 17th century.
You’ll also be making some sweet treats ready for Christmas Day and reminiscing with us about life in a Georgian Christmas kitchen, over a mulled wine and mince pie or two!
I hope this Georgian blend will turn out to be a recipe made in heaven. I’m delighted to join forces with Nigel and hope fans of food and history will enjoy this feast of nostalgia.
The first Stir-up Sunday at Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, Staffs, will be held on December 18, 9.30am-1pm, £150 per person. It will provide an opportunity to pick up cooking tips from a top chef for your festive feast. CLICK HERE to find out more/book.
To find out about Bishton Hall activities and events, visit www.bishtonhall.com
Georgian Auction | Entries Invited
Entries are invited until December 6 for the Georgian Auction. To consign, email: [email protected]. To book free valuations at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire, or a home visit, email [email protected] or call 01283 733988.
