Dudmaston Estate
Today’s trip was to Dudmaston Estate, unfortunately the Hall wasn’t open, but the grounds and the Galleries were. I had never been to Dudmaston before, passed it many a time coming from Bham to Telford or vice versa, and always wanted to pop in.
I always find these kind of places overwhelming in the information they provide on the history of the place. Although I love history, which is why I visit these places, I can never remember everything (not that you’re expected to) and find it hard to place in my head the different events that have happened. But it is fascinating to read all the history, even if we pick up only one or two facts or stories. Dudmaston, as with a lot of estates, has such a history of owners and how they have worked on the estate and developed it. There’s a room dedicated to the family history, with some key artifacts that some of the volunteers and workers have selected to give an insight into the life of Dudmaston. Once of the objects that stuck in my mind were a pair of metal bottles, shaped like feet, these were filled with boiling water and popped into your outdoor boots in order to dry them out after a wet day outside. Hot water bottles for your boots!
The main focus at Dudmaston is on Lord George and Lady Rachel Labouchere in the exhibition galleries that are on display. George was a keen collector of modern art, and although a political figure, he stood up for his interests in modern art, especially the Generation 27 movement. This movement was brought about by the Spanish people wanting to express themselves against the nationalist oppression of the General Franko regime in the 1960’s where they were supressed. They didn’t want to conform to classical art forms and used modern art to rebel and express their feelings on the regime, often creating raw emotive artwork. Some people would say the artwork is crude and ‘not art’, a lot of it could be described as splodges of paint on a page; streaks that don’t represent anything. I can say I probably wouldn’t buy any of it to have on my wall, but I can appreciate that someone has created it from emotion, an output of expression, their interpretation on an important influence in their life. In contrast Lady Rachel’s interests in art look at botanicals, and very precise drawings and paintings. She often took classes and spent her time in the gardens painting.
Dudmaston Grounds
The grounds are lovely to walk around, especially on a spring day when the sun starts to appear, like it did for me. On walking around the lakes I spotted the ducks and coots, and even a heron. I played poo sticks with myself in the stream, but watched helplessly as my stick got caught in the washing machine of the mini rapids! And I gazed upon the beauty of the spring flowers starting to emerge. A flower that looked liked snowdrops on steroids, not sure what they’re called, and the beautiful smell of magnolia as the buds start opening up.
The art influence is also seen in the beautiful gates of the stables, portraying the interest of botanicals for Lady Rachel, but maintaing a modern approach for Lord George.