It was many years ago now that traced the footsteps of person (cant remember his name and my stuff is on another disk) who did a report for the government on the lace industry in S Devon. I visited at least 6 or 8 towns and Villages and enjoyed a most wonderful two or three days. I talked to the locals and frankly, they were unaware of a part of the South Devon Industry once being in their Villages. I bought the local tourist and local history books as were readily available and there was nothing them either. I think my message is that few places in S Devon have retained and displayed any lace history, at least that is readily available. I think Sidmouth has something, Beer is well aware of its history as of course is Honiton. It is beautiful countryside and lovely villages, very narrow lanes.
True story against myself... I was driving along these very narrow lanes, purposefully but not too fast (IMHO) and a car came in the other direction. We both braked madly and the locals yelled at me, and I replied apologetically. They left yelling Bloody Australians and here is me thinking I still speak West Country English! Regarding Exeter museum. My contacts with them via email have been less than encouraging. They have a fine box of bobbins that I was trying to gain access to. I just got negative replies and finally no response to my requests. This surprises me as other branches of the V and A have a policy of meeting email requests and providing images within a certain time frame. Exeter too wants a lot of money to reproduce any of their images even in academic publications or the web and no financial reward publications. The Met museum in the USA has a policy of any images they have can be used for educational purposes without cost and (a big surprise) it is the author that makes the decision as to the purpose of the use of the image. Of course if there is payment for the article then the museum will want its fee. Incidentally they worked very closely and helpfully at the misidentified bobbin (knitting sheath) in one of Whiting's books. They are favourite, but... Exeter... not at all happy. Brian Lemin Cooranbong. Australia www.ukulelejass.com - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
