Conservation in action at A la Ronde
A la Ronde is open for visitors again following its winter clean, but some conservation work can still be seen taking place in this unique house.
Every Wednesday and Thursday, the in-house team of expert conservators will be carrying out their work in front of visitors so they can find out more about the specialist techniques used for cleaning ceramics, metals, beating carpets and conserving the book collection.
Laura Fox, House Steward, says: “we are delighted to be able to invite visitors to watch conservation in action at A la Ronde and meet some experts in their fields. It is a great opportunity to learn about the different techniques and what it takes to care for an historic house and collection.”
On Tuesday 17 February, a condition survey of the musical instrument collection will be carried out thanks to a successful fundraising campaign last year. The music room will be roped off to enable specialist Ben Marks space to carry out his work, but visitors will be able to view him and question an informed room guide on Ben’s work. Later in the day, he will be moving to the Drawing Room to assess the mechanical music box in the same way.
Emma Kay, Visitor Experience Manager, adds: “It is great to be able to show visitors what their donation means to A la Ronde, as this musical instrument survey would not happen without the fantastic generosity of our visitors and supporters. We are always fundraising for projects at A la Ronde, anyone who would like to support our cause please get in touch.”
Every Tuesday until 10 March, book conservator Jo Hughes will be carrying out conservation work in the library. This will include cleaning and consolidating leather book covers and spines where they have deteriorated over the years. She will also improve bindings and create better supports and storage where needed.
Hidden House has also returned to A la Ronde for 2015. Each month a different part of the collection is highlighted and some objects usually closed are opened up. In February the focus will be on allegorical embroideries, and in March it will be on the clocks and timepieces which are wound every Sunday at 12 noon.
A la Ronde is open 7 days a week with the grounds and tea room open from 10.30am until 5.30pm with last order at 5pm. The house is open from 11am with last entrance at 4pm.
A la Ronde is a sixteen-sided building full of creative treasures from around the world. This hexadecagonal building was the work of cousins Jane and Mary Parminter in 1796. See the fantastic shell and feather designs throughout the house, find out about the creative design and ask about the one and only male owner. With the 360’ touchscreen virtual tour every visitor can get up close to the shell gallery; and view the shell ceiling as the Parminters intended while conservation work is ongoing.
Go through the key-hole shaped door to the cosy tea-room or sit outside to admire the view with delicious hot and cold light lunches, home-made cakes and of course a Devon cream tea.
