The Craftsman shop in Bartholomew Street has been in existence for many years and it was bought by new owners in 2001 when the previous owners, two brothers Peter and Alan Pope, retired. When invited to carryout the official opening of their Gallery 1753, I did wonder if they had reorganised the shop.
When I arrived with my attendant, Carol Currey at Craftsman, I was met by Betony Tait, one of the joint owners. She took me through the shop to the back room which had been refurbished into a gallery in which were displayed some of the pictures painted by a former Newbury artist, Claire Warner. She had exhibited previously at Mike Rodger’s gallery in the Wharf, Desmoulin. Soon the gallery was almost full and I was asked to carry out the opening ceremony. In my short speech, I admitted that I had no artistic talents but I did appreciate art and pictures in particular. I praised the new owners for their initiative in creating a gallery which could be hired by artists to show and sell their pictures. I admitted that I did admire Claire Warner’s paintings and was pleased that the opening coincided with an exhibition of her works. Having cut the ribbon, I was invited to look at the rest of the building which was utilised for making frames and the storage of painting and prints. The building itself is a Grade 2 listed building and dates back to 1753, which explained the name of the new gallery. It has been in its lifetime Witherington and Sexton bakery until about 1880, then Yalden’s Coffee House, another bakery run by two ladies Kerr and Cowie, then Vince’s Bakery with the famous Newbury biscuit, the recipe with a closely guarded secret, then as hairdressers and then Peter Holt’s Motorbike shop. What a history!
I subsequently met Claire and her husband and they currently live in Northampton but have family in Newbury which explains her use of the gallery. I also met David Cole who lives in Fifth Road and has a building business
which specialises in refurbishing Listed Buildings. He actually carried out the work to create the gallery, but having to conform with the Conservation Officer’s requirements to ensure the new fabric such as the wood accord with the original construction.
I have to admit to buying one of Claire’s paintings which I left to be framed. I would recommend anyone who wants to browse amongst a wide and varied collection of paintings and prints, Craftsman is a possible venue.
When I arrived with my attendant, Carol Currey at Craftsman, I was met by Betony Tait, one of the joint owners. She took me through the shop to the back room which had been refurbished into a gallery in which were displayed some of the pictures painted by a former Newbury artist, Claire Warner. She had exhibited previously at Mike Rodger’s gallery in the Wharf, Desmoulin. Soon the gallery was almost full and I was asked to carry out the opening ceremony. In my short speech, I admitted that I had no artistic talents but I did appreciate art and pictures in particular. I praised the new owners for their initiative in creating a gallery which could be hired by artists to show and sell their pictures. I admitted that I did admire Claire Warner’s paintings and was pleased that the opening coincided with an exhibition of her works. Having cut the ribbon, I was invited to look at the rest of the building which was utilised for making frames and the storage of painting and prints. The building itself is a Grade 2 listed building and dates back to 1753, which explained the name of the new gallery. It has been in its lifetime Witherington and Sexton bakery until about 1880, then Yalden’s Coffee House, another bakery run by two ladies Kerr and Cowie, then Vince’s Bakery with the famous Newbury biscuit, the recipe with a closely guarded secret, then as hairdressers and then Peter Holt’s Motorbike shop. What a history!
I subsequently met Claire and her husband and they currently live in Northampton but have family in Newbury which explains her use of the gallery. I also met David Cole who lives in Fifth Road and has a building business
which specialises in refurbishing Listed Buildings. He actually carried out the work to create the gallery, but having to conform with the Conservation Officer’s requirements to ensure the new fabric such as the wood accord with the original construction.
I have to admit to buying one of Claire’s paintings which I left to be framed. I would recommend anyone who wants to browse amongst a wide and varied collection of paintings and prints, Craftsman is a possible venue.
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