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Paston story heads west to Oxburgh Hall

Posted by Tim Lenton on 16 August 2010 at 17:55

Tags: bedingfeld oxburgh paston

The castle flag, combining the eagle of the Bedingfields with the fleur-de-lys of the Pastons Annette at Oxburgh Hall Oxburgh Hall

The next chapter in the Paston story takes place at the spectacular Oxburgh Hall, in the south-west of Norfolk, at the beginning of September. The hall, owned by the National Trust, is hosting an exhibition of the art and poetry created during the Paston Project, partly by InPrint members, and the £1000 handmade book will also be on show. There will also be an opportunity to see a DVD of the making of the book, live music from the time when the Pastons flourished, and paper-making, calligraphy and related skills in action.

InPrint artist Annette Rolston, who was one of the main forces behind the printing of the book, will be leading an art/poetry workshop with InPrint poet Tim Lenton. The exhibition runs from September 4 to 15, but the workshop is offered on September 4 only, starting at 11.15am in the Chapel and ending at 3.30pm. It will include time to look round the exhibition, break for lunch and enjoy the atmosphere of the hall, and will cost £15 (NT volunteers and concessions £10).

Those interested in the workshop, which provides a unique opportunity to get involved in the world of the Pastons, should contact Lucy Care of the Paston Heritage Society at Dayspring, Mundesley Road, Paston, NR28 9TE, or lucyecare@aol.com. Payment may be made by cheque (payable to Paston Heritage Society).

Although owned by the National Trust, the hall is the home of the Paston-Bedingfelds, the only surviving link to the Pastons of the Letters. References to the Pastons abound in the hall, the chapel and the nearby church.

Annette and Tim visited the moated Hall on August 9 and were deeply impressed by the setting. "This is a magnificent place," said Tim. "You could spend hours here and find something new every minute."

The hall is situated in the village of Oxborough, slightly south of a line between Swaffham and Downham Market.

More information at Paston Heritage Society and Oxburgh Hall.

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