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Ripon Lace
by Avril Edmondson and Mary Moseley.

Following our previous article in October 2008, asking for information of families involved in lace making in Ripon, we received little information, but there was a great deal of encouragement and help.

We have completed our research, the book has been published, and is now available. Our aim has been to bring together previous research and articles with new research and ideas to conserve this part of our local history and heritage.

The book is divided by chapter to cover each century, from the early development of the bobbin lace industry, probably in the late sixteenth century, to its demise in the early twentieth century, and its revival and continuation to the present day as a recreational craft.

For each century the known facts are set in context with National and European history. Social implications are discussed along with the lives of local people involved in the lace making industry. Also how this was affected by the influx of European refugees, civil war, laws concerning imports and exports of lace and materials and their taxation, the industrial revolution and the vagaries of fashion. All of which caused frequent changes between prosperity and decline for those who were involved. A wide range of photographs, illustrations, and reproductions of documents have been used to enhance the text.

The final part of the book contains reproductions of the old patterns used in Ripon one hundred years ago and earlier. Some are from museum collections, and others are directly from the old parchment patterns gifted to us by the family of one of the last commercial lace makers in Ripon. The book is of A4 size, with approximately one hundred pages.

Our exhibition in early June, kindly hosted by the Ripon Workhouse Museum , was very popular.The demonstrations and hands on experience of making lace proved a huge success, especially with the children. We hope to repeat this at Fountains Hall later in the summer.

The book can be obtained from Derek Edmondson, Publications Officer. The price is £12, plus postage and packing, £3 for the UK , and £8 for overseas. Cheques should be made payable to Ripon Local Studies Research Centre.

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Use the form on our contact page to talk to us about the Ripon Lace book: Contact us about Ripon Lace