Those of us lucky enough to go on the recent trip to London on the 20th June were treated to a sunny day full of wonderful colour and pattern!

We started our itinerary by visiting the Fashion and Textile Museum in Bermondsey.  Some members will be familiar with this innovative exhibition space, founded in 2003 by fashion designer Zandra Rhodes.  But for many of us this was our first visit, and we were astounded by just how much beauty could be crammed into such a relatively small space.  The current exhibition, Paint!Pattern!Print!, covers the work of hand painted textile designers Collier Campbell, from the founding of their partnership in the 1960s, up to the present day.  Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell were sisters with an enormous flair for artistic, painterly designs, and for a long time were key designers for Liberty.  Even if you didn't know their work by name, you would undoubtedly recognise some of their iconic fabric designs.  Although Susan Collier sadly died in 2011, Sarah Campbell continues to work and to teach - in fact she was taking a class on the ground floor of the building as we were leaving! Every inch of this sumptuous exhibition was filled with kaleidoscopic beauty, and even those with more minimalist tastes could not help but be impressed by the richness of these gorgeous paintings, fabrics, clothes and furnishings.  It remains open until 13th September 2026.

​After seeking out lunch from the many appealing cafes around the museum, we moved on to the elegant William Morris Gallery at Lloyd Park in Walthamstow.  Although a much cooler, more spacious setting in a Georgian house with a beautiful garden at its rear, this venue was also buzzing with life and colour.  They were holding an open day, with a large farmers' market taking place outside, music, games and lots of visitors, all of which added to the welcoming family atmosphere.  Inside the house, we were able to see a wide range of artefacts related to Morris and displays explaining his business, artistic influences and philosophy. This was fascinating, as it moved well beyond the world-famous fabrics for which he is perhaps best-known, and showed detail about his drawing, publishing, writing, production processes and retail.  We were also able to spend time in the Women in Print temporary exhibition (sadly now finished), which celebrated 150 years of women designers at Liberty.  More CollierCampbell here, but also garments, fabrics and designs by many other wonderful female designers who have formed the backbone of the design department at Liberty for decades.  Again, the impression was one of a sumptuous love of colour combined with painterly skill and incredible craftsmanship - a real feast for the senses.

As always, our Live Events Coordinator Barbara Coe had organised the trip incredibly carefully, providing very comfortable transport, regular breaks for refreshments, and a fascinating itinerary.  And the company was excellent.  If you have never been on one of her day trips I would highly recommend them - you will return feeling replenished and renewed. ​

Saturday 13th June 2026 – The Roaring Twenties!
 
In the 1920s the opinion emerged that the history of everyday life should be preserved and celebrated in special museums leaving a legacy that we still value and enjoy today. 

The delightful ‘secret’ walled garden at Strangers Hall Museum in Norwich was the perfect setting for a 1920s themed garden party to celebrate a hundred years since the gifting of the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell in 1926 and Strangers Hall in 1923 to the City of Norwich.  
Several members arrived dressed in period costume, some wearing original pieces.  The C&TA resources team had arranged an impressive display of period dresses showing everything from plain white lawn day dresses to shimmering evening creations and a stunning silk, beaded wedding dress worn in 1923 by Marion Marjorie Nickell-Lean for her marriage to Sir William Prince-Smith, 3rd Baronet of Hillbrook in Yorkshire.
 
Lisa Smith-Clare gave a diverting talk about the radical changes of styles in everyday dress for the women who had come through the struggles and trauma of the first world war.  She wore a beautiful dress and cloche hat that she had made from original 1920s patterns and we delighted in the image of outrageous flappers painting butterflies on their knees – maybe an activity for future events?!