Exploring possibilities at Eastbury Manor

I had a trip to Eastbury Manor yesterday.  This is a National Trust/London Borough of Barking & Dagenham grade one listed building.  It is open Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and takes private bookings for room hire and events (eg weddings and flower festivals).

I spoke to Alice, the assistant to the site manager (who was away from office). The East End Women's museum office is temporarily sited there (Mon-Weds).  I told Alice I was seeking a venue for my MA show (5 lightweight samplers and supporting artwork) in either July or September.  I'd need to attach work to walls (without damaging them, fully competent with non-invasive fixings).  My tutors were suggesting an exhibition for a week, and I'd need to know room hire costs. (I'm a student on a limited budget, but would find out from my tutors whether there was a university fund available)

Alice told me that the venue could open on days other than normal opening, and in the evening. Room hire costs at the weekend (depending on the room) ranged from £41.50-£91.90 an hour. Weekdays cheaper.  I asked Alice to find out whether costs were negotiable, on the grounds of my student status; my work representing East End women, so the venue is appropriate; and my strong family association with the area (my Nan lived 4 doors away from Eastbury Manor).  They had a catering function (for the cafe) and held an alcohol licence.  They could support a private view.  They have been working with UEL for a few years with art exhibitions.  There are 2 disability parking spaces, otherwise park around the local roads.  When I parked there, it was generally congested.

I went around the house, and photographed the rooms from various angles.  Downstairs rooms had insufficient wall space.  Upstairs rooms (via stairs and accessible lift) were more appropriate.  The most appealing room was the North West Chamber.

View from doorway

View to left from doorway

Looking back at doorway

Looking at side wall (entrance door out of sight to left)

Corner of room with entrance door

Deep window cills, suitable for concertina sketchbooks?

4 window cills in total

All with a radiator underneath

Spotlights and white picture rail

Toilets just outside the room.  Also accessible lift.

This has potential.  My reflections are that I would like to use this as a venue. Maybe set up the exhibition on a Tuesday, assessment Wednesday morning (assume this only takes a half day), private view Wednesday afternoon, show open to general public on days when Eastbury Manor is open to the public Thursday, Friday and Sunday.  Take down on Monday.  I think that by having the PV in the afternoon it will keep room hire costs down, and most of my friends and family who are likely to come to the PV, don't work, so are around in the afternoon.

I also participated in the Eastbury Manor tour, by Douggie, a 97 year old guide volunteer.  Great tour. He told us how the bread oven worked - put a shovel of embers on the base of the oven, put dough on a rack above the embers. Block up the opening with damp clay, and when it was dried, the bread was done.  The bread was broken in half - top and bottom.  The staff got the bottom crust which had the ashes baked into it, and the family - the upper crust, got the top!