Lorimer Society Autumn Lectures

We are delighted to be returning to Kellie Castle for September Lectures this year.

• Full Programme including lunch: £30pp
• Lectures and morning coffee: £15pp

Payable by bank transfer to the Lorimer Society, Sort Code: 08-92-99 Account: 67213885

(Please add your name as reference)

OR by cheque payable to The Lorimer Society

Please send to Prof Aline-Wendy Dunlop, Lorimer Society Secretary, The Lodge House, 301 Albert Drive, Glasgow G41 5RP

Programme

10.00 Arrivals and welcome

10.15   Lecture 1 – Steven Blench

11.00  Morning coffee

11.30  Lecture 2 – Harriet Richardson

12.15   Close of lectures

12.30  Lunch

Steven Blench: 'Art, Craft & Trade: An introduction to the plasterwork of Hannah and Robert Lorimer'

The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were a particular rich and exciting period within the history of British plasterwork. Plasterwork created within this period is often full of delightful surprises, with an extraordinary range of techniques and materials employed. It is within this context that the plasterwork of both Hannah and Robert Lorimer are best understood.

During the course of the talk we will first explore Hannah Lorimer's surviving decorative schemes at the House of Falkland, comparing her approach with those of others executed within the property during the same period. The second half of the talk will focus on Robert Lorimer's plasterwork designs and specifications for Marchmont House tracing the architects relationships with David Fisher & Sons, Samuel Wilson and Thomas Beattie and exploring their specific contributions to the project.

Harriet Blakeman: 'The ‘Cunning Artificer’, James Bennet of Arncroach, Blacksmith and Vet'

This short talk will explore the life and work of James Bennett, one of the craftsmen from Arncroach employed by Robert Lorimer. Alongside the joiner and furniture maker William Wheeler and the embroidering postmistress, Jeannie Skinner, the ‘handicrafts of Arncroach’ enjoyed a brief celebrity. Bennett was responsible for some of the ironwork at Kellie Castle, and even enjoyed royal patronage from Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll.

Lorimer himself designed major alterations to Bennet’s home Lundie House in Arncroach. Bennett not only gave form to some of Lorimer’s Arts & Crafts designs but was also interested in science and technology. In his youth, he had enrolled at the University of Edinburgh to become a veterinary surgeon but gave up due to ill health. Throughout his life he combined the roles of local blacksmith and country vet.