WREXHAM NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION

THE LAST MEETING - TUESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER

 

Members of the Association met in The Lecture Theatre at Glyndwr University on Tuesday 11th November and were welcomed by the Chairman Mr Nick Wightwick. After dealing with certain in house matters regarding the proposed Erddig development land he proceeded to introduce Mr.Jeremy Cragg the Erddig Hall Collections and House Manager.

Being a familiar face to most members present, his talk on 'Erddig's Silver Collection' was eagerly awaited. His long association at Erddig has given him a unique insight into over 350 great and varied pieces of silver brought under the Yorke family's ownership through inheritance, marriage and gifts.This precious commodity showed off ones wealth and like so many other great estates, Erddig competed favourably. Silver's unique beauty remains in its asset value and many pieces are engraved with the family mark as well as the expert who crafted it. Silver to this day is also considered to be the most hygenic and stable metal known to man, hence the dining table was always adorned with a magnificent grape dish or fruit bowl.

Showing a few special items on screen enabled Jeremy to elaborate on features, especially the 'Red Lion' so dominant in the Yorke family crest which linked the Yorke's with the Marchwiel inn of the same name. With slides he described in detail many of the magnificent 26 family pieces of silver that Dorothy Hutton brought to Erddig on her marriage to Simon Yorke 1st nearly 300 years ago as well as many others now kept at Erddig.

Through his 18 years at the Hall managing these fine artifacts, Jeremy shared his knowledge with masterful eloquence. The vote of thanks was given by Mrs Sue Elphick on everyones behalf saying how enjoyable and educating the lecture had been from someone whose heart and soul is devoted to Erddig Hall and its history.

Before closing the meeting, the Chairman thanked all members for their attendance and reminded them of the Madeira and Mince-Pie evening on Dec.9th and the opportunity to collect the new edition of the Association handbook.

 

 

 

 

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