Meeting 10 May - Josie Adams, 'Welcome to Farrago'

Few Victorians were more passionate about ceramic decoration than Hull builder David Reynard Robinson. Many of his gloriously tiled buildings in Hull have sadly been demolished, including his own offices in Freehold Street, but his pièce de résistance - the curious house he built for his retirement in Hornsea - survives. Naming the house 'Farrago', Robinson used every surface, inside and out, to experiment with multi-coloured, multi-textured tiles of every available type. Attracted by the richly tiled stairwell and first-floor hall, Josie Adams (former curator of Scarborough Art Gallery and co-founder of the Tile Society) bought 'Farrago' in 1975 and has since worked tirelessly to return the house to its full glory, slowly uncovering the treasures hidden by a mask of paint, wallpaper and polystyrene in a restoration project that continues to the present day. 

Josie Adams has also invited members to enjoy a closer view of 'Farrago' on Tuesday 9 August. Details to be announced.  

Forthcoming: Tuesday 14 June - St Mary's Church, Swine & Dowthorpe Hall and Gardens. Visit led by John and Caroline Holtby. Meet at St Mary's, 6pm. Optional two-course fork supper, 8.00pm. Booking essential. Visit £5. Supper £15 supplement. Book and pay on Tuesday 10 May or call organisers Andrew Hancock and Kevin Hara on (01482) 862918.

FUTURE PROGRAMME
12 July: Thwaite Hall Gardens, Cottingham (Visit 6pm)
9 August: 'Farrago, Hornsea's unique tiled house' (Visit)
13 September: Robin Horspool, 'The Hearth & Home - with the Misses Bronte'
11 October: AGM / Members' evening
8 November: Dr Brian Lavery, 'The Headscarf Revolutionaries: Lillian Bilocca & the Hull Triple-Trawler Tragedy
13 December: Annual Xmas dinner

All welcome! Join at any meeting. £10 p.a.

Venue: Church Rooms, Magdalen Gate, Hedon HU12 8JP, 7.15pm for 7.30pm. 

More information: contact hedon.history@gmail.com