Venue - The Hold

Three years ago, FoIM was asked to help support the £40,000 restoration of a major artwork that was part of the Council’s collection but that was in a very poor condition. It had numerous tears and holes, was spotted with bird excrement and mould, and was unframed and rolled (causing yet more damage). It was also considered to be just too large to be displayed at the Mansion (see back cover for the image and more information).

The painting that dates from around 1801 had come into the Ipswich collection in 1937 after being sold by the Henniker family at auction. It shows the 2nd Lord Henniker in full dress uniform with the colours of his regiment, with Worlingworth Church and Hall in the background.

In 2019 the picture was loaned to the Hold and now, six years later and after an extraordinarily detailed restoration by KSH Conservation Ltd. (supported by £2,500 from us), the reinvigorated portrait is ready to be unveiled in the John Blatchly Local Studies Library.

As supporters of the project, all members of the Friends are invited to attend this free event, but please note that this is not being organised by FoIM. For any enquiries and for confirmation that you would like to attend (which would greatly help with planning), please email
wlhg@hotmail.co.uk.