Holst Victorian House

work for long-standing hierarchical companies, can be stressful.

A section on ‘Artistic Innovations’ includes the glorious 1835 Courtesan Usugumo, 1930s Creative Prints – one showing men in homburgs beneath a huge temple lantern – and, in tribute to Hokusai and Hiroshige, One Hundred Views of New Tokyo. While many artists’ names are unfamiliar, photographs of Yoko Ono during her period working in Japan appear beside a video, Oh Yoko, which includes familiar motifs associated with John Lennon and the Beatles. One wonders whether the artist – or indeed the Lennons – knew that Liverpool’s ‘Strawberry Field’ was home in the late 19th century to Japan’s first British-born consul and his Japanese collection-cum-museum.

Resonances between periods and exhibits make Tokyo: Art & Photography more than the sum of its parts, while a beautifully-produced catalogue is available to provide a lasting record and enlightening essays. Like British Olympians, the Ashmolean team has risen magnificently to their delayed challenge with an exhibition which should appeal to those who have visited or plan to go to Tokyo, admire Japanese woodcuts or enjoy contemporary art – or Cheltenham gallery-goers looking for an interesting post-lockdown visit to Oxford. In this reviewer’s opinion, Tokyo: Art & Photography merits both its press acclaim and your attention.

The first stage of the transformation of the Holst Birthplace Museum (4 Clarence Road) into Holst Victorian House will be launched on 10 September 2021.

We have collaborated with Cheltenham film-makers, Evenlode, to create two films. The first – filmed in All Saints, the Town Hall and Pittville Park as well as the museum – sets the house in its historical (‘a house through time’) and geographical context. The second is a dramatised documentary with Julia Giles – the real-life maid of all work – telling the story of the house through 10 objects. Please enjoy the films on our new website www. holstvictorianhouse.org.uk and come and visit.

The stars of the films are our own curator, Laura Kinnear, and – playing Julia Giles – Emmeline Braefield. Emmeline also features in a new film A Woman’s Life by local playwright Carolyn S. Jones. Carolyn talks about this in one of our launch events. Here is the full programme All events are in the museum unless stated otherwise:

Anne Strathie

Anne visited Japan in 2016 while researching for her biography of Herbert Ponting; Friends’ President, PJ Crook, has painted in Japan, where her work is in the collection of and regularly exhibited at the Morohashi Museum of Modern Art.

Conversation Piece? A Double Holst Portrait

Tuesday 7 September, 6.30pm Online talk by Adrian Barlow

Wining & Dining Victorian Style

Friday 10 September, 11am & 2pm A series of short talks by curator Laura Kinnear, food & wine expert Lits Philippou and archivist Rachel Roberts. Part of Heritage Open Days

A Woman’s Life

Saturday 11 September, 11am & 12pm BAFTA nominated writer Carolyn S Jones reflects on turning her play about Mrs Beeton and Clara Holst into a film

A Victorian Cheese & Wine Tasting

Saturday 11 September, 7pm, St Luke’s Church Hall A tasting of six classic wines with cheese

Punch & Judy

Sunday 12 September, 11am & 1pm (special Sunday opening) Lashings of sausages, slapstick, crocodiles, laughter and good oldfashioned family fun with Professor Collywobbles’ traditional Punch & Judy show! Afterwards stay and explore the museum at your leisure

Bake Back in Time

Saturday 18 September, 10am & 2pm Join our resident cook in the Victorian kitchen to taste and find out more about culinary treats from the past. Part of Heritage Open Days

Holst’s Birthday Concert

Saturday 25 September, 7.30pm, St Andrew’s Church Hall The Oriel Singers perform pieces written and inspired by Holst to celebrate 147 years since his birth

Victorian Book Group

Wednesdays 13 Oct, 10 Nov & 8 Dec, bookings only, 10–11.30 am Refreshments included See website for book details

Knit Your Bit

Tuesdays 5 Oct, 2 Nov & 7 Dec, bookings only, 2–4pm Join our Knitting Circle in the Victorian Kitchen Refreshments included

Children’s Craft Drop in Clay Lanterns

Tuesday 26 October, 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm Book a slot in our cosy Learning Space to create your very own clay lantern with LED candle to take home. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to help

Victorian Christmas Day

Saturday 11 December 2021, 11–3pm Peppermint creams, plum pudding and handmade cards, try some traditional Victorian Christmas craft Suitable for all ages

Booking recommended for all events. www.holstvictorianhouse.org.uk / enquiries@holstvictorianhouse.org.uk Martin Renshaw (on behalf of the Trustees of the Holst Birthplace Trust)