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An exhibition of
Wedding dresses
dating from the
late Victorian era
to the 1990’s
And
Memorabilia from the time of the
First World War
All proceeds go to the Evesham Abbey Bell Tower Appeal.
Wedding Dress Display
1.
1898. Veil - fine net with stylized silver
sunflower embroidery - and headdress.
Kindly lent by Eileen Pullen
2. 1912 High waisted silk dress with heavy embroidery
worn by donator's grandmother.
Kindly lent by Jennifer Bright
3. 1933. Fine silk dress and
embroidered jacket. This dress will be
donated to the Almonry Museum after
this display. Kindly lent by Mr Johns
4.
1934. Very fragile transparent silk
which must have been worn with
an underskirt. Kindly lent by
Wendy Martin
5.
1930's. fine silk crepe with clever
bias cutting. Long and short gloves,
stockings and extremely fragile
veil. The groom worked for Gordon
Russell and the dress will go to the
Gordon Russell museum after this
display. Kindly lent by Tricia Clarke
6. 1936. Blue rayon dress with lace shoulder inserts.
Kindly lent by Mary Cave.
7. 1936. Heavy blue crepe with hand
embroidered full sleeves. Matching hat. Dress
was shortened to be worn at other occasions.
Photo was taken 6 months after the wedding
as none of the wedding photos came out.
Kindly lent by Eileen Pullen
8.
9.
1938. Heavy cream lace buttoned
from neck to hem with plain silk
under petticoat. Kindly lent by
Louise Thompson
1939. Silk damask high necked dress.
Kindly lent by Mrs Whitelaw
10.
1941 Grey fine wool dress
with cream silk trimming
and matching hat. Kindly
lent by Jennifer Bright
11.
1948 Silk button through and belted dress.
Kindly lent by Yvonne Hampson
12. 1950 Full skirted figured
satin and lace. Kindly lent by
Sue Hall
13.
1955 Handmade heavy satin dress in deep cream.
Waisted with a full train. Kindly lent by Margaret
Gwilliam
14. 1956 Lace dress waisted with a full
skirt and pearl buttons up bodice to
a high neck and collar. Kindly lent by
Brian Haines
15. 1959 Beautiful heavy satin brocade
with silver thread detail. Long
sleeves and tiny waist going into a
full skirt with long train. This dress is
probably hand made by a gifted
seamstress. Kindly lent by Jean
Turvey
16.
1960. Full skirted dress in heavy lace with
organdie detail to waist and roll collar.
Kindly lent by Avis Boston
17.
1963 Figured nylon organdie with full
petticoat. Scallop neck and 3/4 sleeves.
Kindly lent by Pat Hill
18.
1972 Fitted bodice and
A-line skirt in lace and satin
with a full underskirt.
Kindly lent by Sue Hall
19. 1975 White nylon fully lined
with trim under bust and around
sleeves. This trim was white but
has turned pale coffee with age.
Kindly lent by Doreen Springett
20.
1976 Pure white crepe
dress with high waist and
batwing sleeves. Heavy
lace trim.
Kindly lent by Mary Smith
21. 1981 White nylon dress with full skirt decorated with flower
motifs and hooped petticoat. White satin shoes.
Kindly lent by Joyce Taplin
22.
2000. Natural raw slub silk especially imported
from Singapore. Fitted bodice into a full skirt
with a long, full train. Hand embroidered silk
panels copied from an Elizabethan pattern in
gold, lilac and green. Kindly lent by Debbie
Hodges.
Memorabilia of the 1900’s and of World War One
The nightdresses and ladies underwear were hand-made by ladies
in the early 1900’s, one of which held classes to teach the young
ladies of Evesham how to sew. Note the linen buttons on the
garments and the all-in-one garment with the buttons on the waist
at the back which allowed them to undo the buttons and let down
the back to spend a penny—no elastic in those days!
Chamber pot, Aspidistra stand complete with Aspidistra, an old tin
trunk, a very old framed photograph of the Bell Tower, a number of
very old books including a Mrs Beeton Cookery Book, wedding
presents of the era—how many of these heirlooms have we all
thrown away?
A wonderful collection of christening robes dating from 1915 to
1961, with pictures and history of those who wore them. Some of
these children were christened at this font.
World War One 1914-1918
One hundred years since war was declared
There are three maps which show the trenches in France and Belgium, on the largest one you will
see the trench emplacements are all marked in blue and you will see they are all named. Note
the pencil writing on the side of the maps giving actual battle instructions. On the smaller maps
dated 26th May 1918 and 13th August 1918, the trenches are marked in red.
The Field Message Book was used by the Transport Officer to order equipment, food and other
supplies on the front line. (Please handle with care.)
Various papers of interest relating to soldiers who served in France and Somme engagement.
A Souvenir Book published in1917 by Officers and cadets who were training for their Commission
at Christ College Cambridge and then at Ridley hall. This book contains many sad stories of their
experiences while serving on the front line and many moving poems written at that time. (You
are welcome to look but please handle with care—it is very fragile.)
There are two sets of WW1 medals all of which are marked around the rim with the soldier’s
name. There is also a Boer War medal.
An original Christmas gift box sent to the soldiers by Princess Mary n 1914; this box still contains
all the cigarettes and tobacco. (Sorry, you cannot handle his item.)
A beautiful bracelet made from coins brought back from Belgium by a soldier, and given to his
fiancée as a love token.
A German soldier’s ring inscribed inside “Deutschland Uber Alles 1914-1916” (Germany over all).
An embroidered card sent from Belgium by a soldier expressing his love to his girlfriend in
Evesham.
An aeroplane made from two 303 bullets.
A cushion cover embroidered in France during the Mons Offensive.
A toy dog made from the remains of one of the first fighter planes used in World War One.
A clock made from the end of a propeller from the remains of one of the first fighter planes used
in World War One.
Binoculars, spurs, Sam Brown belt, swagger stick, regimental badges, photographs and stories,
etc, of Evesham soldiers who served in World War One.
Finally, the Borough of Evesham—Order of the United Service of Thanksgiving for Peace, Sunday
6th July 1919.
Our thanks go to all those people who have so kindly loaned us their treasured possessions,
mannequins, etc without which this exhibition could not have taken place.
We hope you have enjoyed your visit here today which has taken many hours to prepare, the
purpose of which is to raise money for the Bell Tower Appeal Fund. Your donations will be greatly
appreciated.
Thank you.