A special visit to the Lancashire Conservation Studio in Preston with the Friends of the Harris Museum and Art Gallery. We were advised not to photograph anything that had been sent from other organisations.
After an introduction by members of the studio team we were divided into 2 groups and taken to meet the conservators at work. It’s an interesting building, being an old church.
The first stop was the Bond Mini which was built in Preston and developed from 1949 to 1966. A three wheel car benefitting from lower tax as it had no reverse and was 3 wheels. This is an early model and is basically a motorcycle engine on a simple chassis with aluminium body. Tiny wheels and front wheel drive. Quite stylish.
The first piece of conservation is the bust of Clytie being cleaned before returning to the Harris at its re-opening. The cleaned section on upper cheek is distinct.
Another piece of work from the Harris are the Ceylon Tea containers depicting tea picking scenes.
There is an old sewing machine of a type not widely known. It looks like it might be a working tool of the studio.
We were also shown the painting restoration area and how a bridge had been made for the conservators to get above large paintings.
En-route to the Studio we walked along Church Street. It was a wet day. Many of the buildings are in dis-repair yet they have more character than many parts of central Preston. The Old Dog Inn being one:
Next to the Old Dog Inn is an old warehouse.
A bit further along we come to The Bluebell Inn and another interesting building. Behind is Cotton Court an old part of the area where the original Yellow Factory stood.
The Lamb is another pub with an interesting Georgian looking face.