Cambridge Edition July 2022 - Web

CULTURE CLUB

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© HELENA G ANDERSON

Hidden gem

The building at 186 Gwydir Street harbours a miraculous secret. From the outside, it boasts an attractive, but familiar façade, falling into line with the countless terraced houses that sprang up between Parker’s Piece and the railway line during the Victorian era. Inside, it’s another story, decorated from top to bottom with intricate designs inspired by arts and crafts masters such as William Morris and John Henry Dearle. Bought by decorative artist David Parr in 1886, when it was highly unusual for working- class people to own property, the house soon became a canvas for David to practise and adapt designs he had learnt through his work with local firm F R Leach & Sons. By day, David could be found on the lavish painted decorations of All Saints’ Church, Queens’ College and Jesus College Chapel; by night, he would return home to continue his work by candlelight – gradually transforming his home into a masterpiece. He lived there until his death in 1927, upon which his granddaughter Elsie Palmer moved in to keep her grandmother company. She raised her family in the house, filling it with memorabilia and knick-knacks, alongside the items her grandfather collected throughout his life. The house was discovered by Tamsin Wimhurst in 2009, who purchased it after Elsie’s death in 2014, setting up a charity with the aim of opening the house to the public. It underwent two and a half years of conservation, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, before opening in 2019. “The idea was to restore the house back to a well-kept, cared-for home – just as Elsie would have had it in her heyday,” explains Charlotte Woodley, Pilgrim Trust curator. “Elsie’s family were very generous, in that they left us most of her belongings, so there’s this really interesting David Parr House

juxtaposition between David’s extraordinary work and Elsie’s lifetime of domestic living.” The discovery of David Parr’s house also marked a breakthrough in telling the story of the city’s cultural heritage from a working-class perspective. “When people come to Cambridge, they can find examples of the Leach firm’s work all over the city. What they see in these places is the finished product, but David Parr’s house is unique. It gives you the starting point of that work,” says Charlotte. “There’s so little recorded about the people who produced these great works, but working-class histories are becoming more relevant – people want to understand the other side of the story.” This month, another local history will be explored in a special, free-to-visit exhibition about the Newton School of Metalwork, on display in the visitor’s centre until 30 July. It’s hoped the exhibition will revive this near-forgotten story about local arts and crafts workmen. “We’re absolutely sure there must be loads of people around Cambridge in possession of Newton School pieces, so it would be great to uncover them,” says Charlotte. Bookings are now open for visits to the house until the end of August, followed by a new release for the autumn season. You can visit the Newton School of Metalwork exhibition separately, but booking in advance is still a must – head to davidparrhouse.org to find out more. FOND TIMES David’s granddaughter Elsie (above) shared memories of her family. Find recordings of her recollections on the David Parr House website

12 JULY 2022 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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