Trip to Wightwick Manor

Yoxall WI enjoyed their Summer outing to Wightwick Manor, near Wolverhampton. After about an hour's journey we arrived and a member of staff was waiting for us as we had a guided tour before the general opening to the public. Wightwick Manor is a Victorian manor house owned by the National Trust since 1937. It is one of only a few surviving examples of a house built and furnished under the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement.

The house is an example of the influence of William Morris, with original Morris wallpapers and fabrics and Pre-Raphaelite works of art. It was built by Theodore Mander, of the Mander family who were the successful 19th-century industrialists Mander Brothers, and his wife Flora, the daughter of a member of Parliament in Canada. It was designed in two phases; the first was completed in 1887 and the house was extended with the Great Parlour wing in 1893. Mander Brothers was a progressive company which became the Number One manufacturer of varnish, paint and later printing ink in the British Empire.

In 1937 Geoffrey Mander, a radical Liberal MP and local paint manufacturer who had been left the timber framed house by his father Theodore, persuaded the National Trust to accept a house that was just 50 years old. The house is full of all the examples of William Morris's designs and there are many items of tiles and pottery designed by De Morgan, a lifelong friend of William Morris. Rosalie, Lady Mander collected many examples of Kempe's work, who was a designer and manufacturer of stained glass. Having given the house to the Trust, Geoffrey Mander and Rosalie, his second wife, became its live-in curators, opening the house to the public and adding to its contents. In particular, they added a collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings by Rosetti.

After a thoroughly enjoyable tour we then went on to enjoy the rest of the estate. The tea room, converted from the old stables provided lovely cakes and lunch, for those of us without a picnic. There was a gallery set in the former malt house, a gift shop and a second-hand bookshop. The house has 14 acres of woodland and gardens, unfortunately looking a little scorched with the hot weather. A walk down to the lake revealed a couple of artists painting watercolours of the house. The Manor has the work of 11 professional female artists on permanent public display, more than any other in the National Trust.

Everyone had enjoyed the trip, many saying that they would like a return journey as there had been so much to see. The tour was excellent and our guide had been very knowledgeable.

Our meeting in September sees us back in the Village Hall. We are looking forward to Beverley Artis giving us a flower demonstration. Beverley is a member of NAFAS so this promises to be an enjoyable evening. We meet in Yoxall Parish Hall at 7.30pm on 12th September. Visitors will be very welcome and further details can be obtained from Penny Bailey through the link at the bottom of this page.