Women in Print: 150 Years of Liberty Textiles

Image: Print impression for Phoebus, by. Mitzi Cunliffe for Liberty, screen-printed pigment on paper, 1959. Design is copyright © Liberty Fabric Limited [1959].

Lovely news from Liberty and the William Morris Gallery!

From October, William Morris Gallery is presenting Women in Print: 150 Years of Liberty Textiles. Conceived in partnership with Liberty Fabrics on the occasion of the design house’s 150th anniversary, this major exhibition will highlight the pivotal role and contributions of women textile designers.

Tracing the rich history of Liberty fabrics, the exhibition will survey the evolving influence and status of women in textiles over the past 150 years. Women in Print will bring together iconic patterns by designers such as Althea McNish, Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell,and Lucienne Day, alongside previously overlooked names. It will feature over 100 works, spanning garments, fabric, original designs, film and historic photographs.

Women in Print is curated by Rowan Bain, Principal Curator of Collections and Programme and Roisin Inglesby, Curator William Morris Gallery, with exhibition design by Simon Milthorp, Lai Couto and Scarlet Winter.

Women in Print is part of William Morris Gallery’s 75th anniversary programme.

Dates: Saturday 18 October 2025 - Sunday 21 June 2026

Read more:

https://www.wmgallery.org.uk/event/women-in-print

Spring in our Bush Paradise: Part 1

Boronias line the cliff edge with pultanea 'eggs and bacon' in the foreground. Photo: AP

I'm just so pleased that we were here in the bush for spring this year! It came early at our place with tiny pterostylis greenhood orchids I find very hard to identify as there are so many variations. Next, carpets of purple spreading hardenbergia, followed by masses of white libertia paniculata, which love one of the shady sides of the valley as do the little caldenia finger orchids, some pink and some white. The helmet orchids, corybas, seem to have disappeared for now.

Then come the irises, covering the top of our mountain and beginning to flower first on the north side of a slope – they love still sunny spring days! The big dendrobium rock orchids appear on rock edges, quite lovely this year but not as plentiful as last and a very short flowering time. 

Patersonia sericea, wild iris. Photo:AP

Pale pink boronia floribunda bushes light up  the cliff edge seen in the distance  – later than the striking Sydney baronia we see on the cliffs on the drive to Sydney, 'ours' are small and bushy and very fragrant. In the foreground is a pultanea, 'eggs and bacon'. The whole upper parts of the property are densely populated this year along with a pure yellow variety I haven't named yet. (!!)

We're excited to see orchids including diuris donkey orchids (love the ears) and tiger or hornet orchids, diuris sulphurea. 

Diuris, donkey orchid. Photo: AP

A year or so ago I noticed a spreading network of leaves on a large boulder on our road in, so this year I loved finding out that it is a tongue orchid, named for its leaf shape. It is tiny, but has masses of flowers.

Dockrillia lunguiformis, tongue orchid.

.

To be continued!

Visit England's West Midlands

Updating my App, new version out soon! 

Broadway Tower, Broadway, Worcestershire. ©AP

I love the West Midlands in the heart of England, especially patchwork fields, walking trails, history, castles, villages, gardens, all things Shakespeare and the glorious countryside. My heart skips a beat whenever I see the sinuous outline of the Malvern Hills (the Sleeping Dragon) and to walk on them is magical. 

But in researching and developing my travel App, England's West Midlands, I've also channelled some family roots that are firmly planted in the heart of the industrial Midlands.

These include Quarry Bank, Brierley Hill and Dudley in the industrial Black Country where you'll find the fascinating Black Country Living Museum – think Peaky Blinders and much more. Also Coventry with its atmospheric old-meets-new cathedral.

Morgan Roadster, Malvern, Worcestershire. ©AP

Food? Yes, I'm a fan of the countryside's fresh produce, farm shops, some great pubs, lively cafes plus the outstanding, multicultural cuisine of Birmingham. Artisan distilleries, craft breweries and vineyards are outstanding in this region. 

I love Morgan cars, too, made in Malvern. Fabulous!

Ludlow is a foodie capital in Shropshire with specialty shops, cafes, pubs, while the entire Welsh border country is dreamy and atmospheric – perfect for country drives and exploring. 

My App dives into industrial heritage, leads you to vintage transport collections so symbolic of the Midlands, as well as many specialist museums, energised with interactive displays and dynamic exhibitions. Some such as Evesham's Almonry (below) are significant buildings and treasure troves in themselves, recording fascinating local history including the destruction of Evesham's great abbey.

In England my base is close to the North Cotswold village of Broadway and just a stone's throw from Stratford-upon-Avon. I love the black and white architecture and thatched cottages of the Midlands as well as the honey-coloured stone houses of the Cotswolds. 

The Almonry, Evesham.©AP

I'm also a short drive from Coventry, now emphasising its heritage with landmarks including the Telegraph newspaper building repurposed as hotels and accommodation, as well as heritage walks, the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum and the Coventry Music Museum. Coventry Cathedral has a very special place in my heart – my father was born in Coventry and loved the old cathedral and Holy Trinity Church next door, where he went to Sunday School. Take a guided tour to discover Coventry's secrets.

Meanwhile, Birmingham is regenerating its city centre with impressive buildings such as The Cube, home to Hotel Indigo Birmingham and Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse, Bar & Grill (think modern comfort, food and champagne). Dishoom Birmingham delivers Irani/Bombay fusion, all welcome. Bakeries and cafes reflect the mix of influences, there's fine dining and vegans and vegetarians will love Birmingham, too. 

The Cube, home of Hotel Indigo Birmingham.©IHG Hotels

The Library of Birmingham, affectionately called the 'Wedding Cake' is one of centre's signature buildings, while the Bullring & Grand Central shopping centres combine to create the largest city centre shopping complex in the UK. The historic Jewellery Quarter is home of 100 or so diamond dealers and jewellers, also cafes, bars and restaurants – multicultural Birmingham really loves its food! The best way to explore is on a walking tour such as the Birmingham guided city centre walk.

The Library of Birmingham.©Visit Birmingham

The Garrick pub, Stratford-upon-Avon.©AP

I might be the only one to think this, but I'm quite taken with the echoes I see in the Library of Birmingham's decorative exterior patterns and those of The Garrick pub in Stratford-upon-Avon, one of the oldest in town. Shakespeare himself may well have imbibed at the Garrick as it is very close to re-vamped New Place where he lived in his later years until he died. Of course Stratford-upon-Avon is a key Midlands' attraction, with much ado about Shakespeare and the beautiful houses associated with him and his family, including Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Shakespeare's Birthplace. Take a walking tour to disvover the highlights.

Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Shottery, Stratford-upon-Avon.©AP

Major Rivers in the Midlands include the Trent, Tame, Avon, Severn and Wye (forming the English/ Welsh border for much of its length) and the area is linked by a network of canals built to carry freight at the height of the Industrial Revolution. Canal boat holidays are a rewarding way to travel through the countryside and right into the heart of towns and cities including Birmingham, Stourport-on-Severn, Stoke-on-Trent, Stratford-upon-Avon, Upton-upon-Severn. 

The Hatton Flight of locks, Warwickshire.©AP

Canal boat on the River Avon.©AP

And those castles, gardens, villages and stunning views? I've a real feeling that many people are craving a comforting sense of place and history right now and the West Midlands delivers. Visiting English country gardens in their many seasons is one of life's pleasures ...

Bourton House Garden. ©AP

... as is standing on vantage points such as the Malvern, Shropshire and Cotswold Hills to admire the patchwork fields and views across middle England. Broadway Tower is just one of my favourites.

Please download my Travel App to enjoy much more of the West Midlands, plan a trip, see the sights.

Link: 

England's West Midlands

Published by TouchScreen Travels.

My thanks to all who have helped me including the West Midlands Growth Company, Visit Britain, local businesses and attractions, PR and marketing companies, friends, family and associates and, especially, TouchScreen Travels.

Elouera Fifty Years

So pleased to see my work with Elouera Surf Club up on their website Elouera History  Written a few years ago! See my photo with the history committee on page 216 of the pdf. It was a huge effort, but fantastic to work with some of Australia's surfing legends. Humbled and proud!!!

Sri Lanka: Wellbeing at Glenross Living; Surfing, Snorkelling, Diving, Fishing from Teardrop Hotels' Kalkudah Beach House

Glenross Living, Neboda, Kalutara, Sri Lanka. Photo by Glenross Living©

I love a wellness retreat, especially those in beautiful settings where the energy is palpable. Rainforest hits the spot as I found at one signature retreat high above a river valley. I've long wanted to return there but the temptation of the new is always irresistible and when I read about holistic wellness in the Sri Lankan rainforests, I was keen to know more.

Now I must say that I hope it was actually the rainforest, yoga and more that appealed and not the 'chocolate box on arrival' mentioned, although that triggered the following memory: 

We had travelled to Switzerland and were most generously hosted. One particular day involved a wonderful fondue lunch in Gruyere (with potatoes to dip in the cheese), hot on the heels of which was a visit to a chocolate factory, then a multi-course gourmet dinner by a leading chef on the banks of Lake Geneva at Montreux! The chocolate factory of course meant multiple samples and purchases of sweet treats as gifts for those at home.

On the return journey to Australia we stopped off to experience a luxurious wellness/spa retreat to photograph it and gather information for luxury travel/wellness stories. The diet rules were very strict and the Swiss chocolate gifts in our bags became very tempting and, yes, we succumbed and polished off the lot in one sitting.

SO, the prospect of a chocolate box on arrival at Glenross Living in Neboda, Kalutara, Sri Lanka perhaps cancels the tiny guilt-trip I guess I must have been on for some years.  Chocolate and wellness, yay! 

Sri Lanka is an emerging wellness destination and Glenross Living is just 43 kilometres from Colombo,  surrounded by green and misty valleys on the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sinharaja Rainforest. 

The emphasis is on wellness and experiencing the setting, exploring scenic hiking trails for birdwatching excursions, witnessing the age-old traditions of rubber tapping and cinnamon peeling, and visiting the cultural gems of Kalutara Temple and Richmond Castle. Unwind in spacious tranquillity, lounge by the pool, picnic under the cooling shade of trees scattered across the 90-acre land – a personal butler will take care of all your needs.

Photo by Glenross Living.©

Information/Bookings  www.glenrossliving.com 

Teardrop Hotels Unveils Kalkudah Beach House, Sri Lanka

Kalkudah Beach House, the newest addition to Teardrop Hotels’ portfolio in Sri Lanka, will be open for stays from 1 June 2025.

A secluded retreat on Sri Lanka’s untouched east coast and a scenic 6-hour drive from Colombo, 35 kilometres north of Batticaloa and an hour’s drive from Polonnaruwa, Kalkudah Beach House is nestled within a 25-acre coconut estate, with direct access to Kalkudah Bay, a seemingly endless stretch of soft, golden sand and calm waters.

Kalkudah Beach House, Sri Lanka. Photo by Teardrop Hotels©

The Main House was originally acquired as a family holiday home in the 1970s and known as Eastern Breeze Estate. During Sri Lanka’s 26-year civil war, the estate was abandoned and intermittently occupied by both the Sri Lankan military and Tamil Tigers.

The current owners purchased the property in 2004, shortly after the devastating tsunami swept through the region. Remarkably, the house’s Dutch-inspired arched windows and doors of the Main House withstood the disaster, though the building had fallen into disrepair and required extensive refurbishment.

Over the past 20 years, a slow and deliberate evolution has shaped Kalkudah Beach House into what it is today. Additions include a 2-bedroom Palm Villa, 22-metre swimming pool and water purification system that integrates the gardens and estate and fills the pool.

The Main House blends timeless charm with modern comfort featuring three beautifully designed rooms. Guests can book rooms individually, reserve an exclusive 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom villa, or opt for a full buyout of all five rooms for the ultimate private experience.

Ocean-to-table dining takes centre stage, with much of the seafood coming directly from the fishermen who bring in their daily catch right in front of the hotel. Succulent sea crab and grilled reef fish are prepared with locally sourced ingredients and perfectly paired with fresh salads and aromatic Sri Lankan curries.

Kalkudah Beach House is the perfect base for discovering the highlights of Sri Lanka’s east coast and cultural triangle.  From vibrant coral reefs to ancient cities and historic landmarks, there is plenty to discover in the surrounding area. There are waves to be caught surfing at Arugam Bay, snorkelling adventures in nearby bays and coral-rich coves teeming with marine life, diving and deep sea fishing trips in Pasikuda, whale and dolphin watching tours in Trincomalee, and relaxing sunset cruises over Kalkudah Bay. 

Explore the historic Dutch Fort in Batticaloa, climb magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress and discover UNESCO’s Polonnaruwa ancient city, as well as vibrant town markets and local life in Valaichchenai.  Spot elephants, leopards, sloth bears and other endemic wildlife at Minneriya or Kumana National Parks.

The best time to visit Kalkudah is normally between April and October, when clear skies, low humidity, and calm, turquoise waters create perfect conditions for swimming, snorkelling and other water activities. This period sees minimal rainfall, mirror-still seas, and plenty of sunshine. The rainy season, which traditionally begins in early November and lasts until February, brings periodic rains and changing sea conditions, making swimming best approached with caution.

Information/Bookings/Early Bird Offers 

https://www.teardrop-hotels.com/kalkudah-beach-house/

 

Touring England: Let's Play

Retro game from the 1930s, by House of Marbles. 

Now discontinued, what a shame. I'll look for second hand/used.

Morris Mania: William Morris Gallery, London E17

Morris Mania will be at the William Morris Gallery, London E17, from 5 April to 21 September, 2025

Poster ©William Morris Gallery

In his designs, William Morris combined his two greatest passions: the wonder of nature and a socialist belief that everyone should have access to art and beauty. His work has become almost too successful, reproduced on iPhone cases, shopping trolleys and AI-fabricated posters. This exhibition at the William Morris Gallery brings together everyday items decorated with his patterns, including many featured in photographs sent to the gallery by members of the public. “We’ve been overwhelmed with the response and have everything from collapsible walking sticks to chopsticks, and all manner of mugs and crockery,” says the gallery’s director, Hadrian Garrard. “The sheer brilliance of his designs and the fact that he wanted people to observe and appreciate a perfect expression of nature is something that endures.”

The exhibition will feature Wallpaper (2025), a newly-commissioned work by archive documentary filmmaker Natalie Cubides-Brady, exploring how William Morris’s designs have been used in screen history. A montage of scenes from film and TV will reveal the diverse and sometimes surprising range of narratives, settings and moods that Morris designs conjure up. Cameos in everything from My Fair Lady, Sunday Bloody Sunday and Django Unchained, to Gogglebox, Coronation Street and Peep Show, highlight how Morris designs form part of the fabric of 20th- and 21st-century popular culture.

Trellis, by William Morris.

Arts & Crafts in the West Midlands

Victorian era wallpaper and textile designer William Morris was the champion of the Arts & Crafts Movement, an anti-industrial art movement (1860 – 1910) devoted to returning to traditional methods of craftsmanship. 

Inspired by a love of nature, his designs feature flowers, trees and birds. Two of his iconic patterns were the basis of the award-winning garden – Trellis (1862) and Willow Boughs (1887). Shades of green blue, reds and earthy tones predominate in the designs.  Morris patterns  also starred in fashion designs – Next produced a summer range – as well as the evergreen iconic home furnishings.

I'd been visiting some of the Arts & Crafts treasures in the West Midlands and the Cotswolds and I was already hooked. The movement focused on central England, particularly the Birmingham School of Art. Also, the Guild and School of Handicraft, based on the structure of the medieval craft guilds, was relocated from London’s East End to Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, by architect and designer C.R. Ashbee, famous for his silverware.

There are just so many aspects, from the floral fabulousness of a Morris Design fabric or wallpaper to Burne-Jones tapestries and stained glass. There's beautiful silver and wood carving, Arts & Crafts gardens, houses and churches. And what better way to view them than on a drive through the glorious countryside, especially at the height of summer?

All Saints Church, Brockhampton, Herefordshire. ©AP

I made just such a journey to Herefordshire, in search of All Saints Church, Brockhampton (above). I'd read that it is recognised as one of the most important Arts & Crafts buildings of the early 20th century, so I had to see it. Driving via Little Malvern (the gorgeous Little Malvern Court and garden is open just now), British Camp on the stunning Malvern Hills and Ledbury, I headed to Much Marcle and headed past the Westons Cider Factory down narrow lanes to Brockhampton. I was rewarded with this and a churchyard filled with wildflowers.

Broadway Tower, Broadway, Worcestershire

I particularly like the idea that Broadway Tower, a landmark folly high on the Cotswold hills above the village of Broadway, was once a holiday retreat for Arts and Crafts Movement artists including pre-Raphaelites William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Edward Burne-Jones. 

Broadway Tower. ©AP

Broadway Tower

Gordon Russell Museum, Broadway, Worcestershire:

Furniture designer Russell was influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement in his early career. 

Snowshill Manor Garden, Snowshill, near Broadway, Worcestershire:

This Tudor manor house is packed with memorabilia collected by eccentric Charles Wade – so much so that he lived in a house in the garden. The Arts & Crafts garden was created by Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott, an Arts & Crafts architect. 

The West Window, St Peter’s Church, Binton, near Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire: 

A memorial to Robert Falcon Scott of the Antarctic, installed in 1908 by the vicar of Binton who was Scott’s  father-in-law. Four scenes by Charles Eamer Kempe are amongst Gothic works and include a scene of Captain Oates’ farewell.  (Kempe worked with  Arts & Crafts Movement projects but didn’t buy into their socialist ideas.) 

Winterbourne House, Birmingham:

Housing and town planning reform pioneer John Nettlefold and his wife Margaret built their villa in Birmingham in 1903. They chose the Edwardian Arts & Crafts style and John used elements of the home in designs for housing in poorer areas of Birmingham. The Grade ll listed garden was designed by Margaret, inspired by Gertrude Jekyll. The garden is now the University of Birmingham’s Botanic Garden. Inside the house are exhibition rooms with William Morris wallpaper, Edwardian furnishings and family memorabilia.

Rodmarton Manor, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire:

The house and furniture were built/made by local craftspeople according to Arts and Crafts ideals, in the old traditional style. Everything was created by hand using local stone and timber and the gardens are beautiful. 

Bourton House Garden, Gloucestershire:

Award-winning garden with a Renaissance structure, Arts & Crafts-style planting.

Bourton House Garden. ©AP

Owlpen Manor, Dursley Gloucestershire: 

Arts & Crafts repairs were made to an ancient manor house. Includes Sidney Barnsley A&C furniture, setting and gardens to die for. Said to be one of England’s most haunted houses! (Group tours only.)

Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire:

Hart Silversmiths workshop and The Guild of Handicraft Gallery

Court Barn Museum dedicated to Arts & Crafts; Silversmithing/industrial design in the Old Silk Mill 

Robert Welch, Sheep Street, silversmithing/design and flatware/cutlery sold worldwide.

Hidcote Gardens, Gloucestershire, near Chipping Campden

Kelmscott Manor, Gloucestershire, Morris’s famous family home

Kiftsgate Gardens, Gloucestershire, near Chipping Campden

Pugin’s St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham

Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton, near Birmingham

For Arts & Crafts aficionados, Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum’s Wilson Gallery has an impressive collection with a dedicated Arts & Crafts Archive.