Literature Day-Heritage Open Days

Friday 10 September 2021

As part of our Anniversary year and Heritage Open Days, we're delighted to welcome visitors to our Literature Day.

Writers and historians, Julliet Dunmur, David Rose and Geoff Burch join us for a series of Heritage Talks on a range of fascinating subjects. Each talk will be followed by a question session and a book signing, and books will be available to buy on the day. Talks are free to attend but must be booked via our box office.

11 am: Dave Salmon - A Man and his Camera by Geoff Burch and David Rose

Dave Salmon was a Guildford man who took photos of just about everything: local street scenes, trains, aircraft, buses, Guildford City Football Club, people and events, and more. This illustrated talk is a nostalgic trip back in time to see Guildford as it used to be while giving lots of details about this well-known local character.

1 pm: Juliet Dunmur – The Architect and his Wife: A tale of an early power couple of impact and influence.

Edward Maufe, architect of Guildford Cathedral, spent his early years in Yorkshire, followed by his family’s move to William Morris’ Red House, which exposed him to different styles of art and architecture. His wife Prudence, who later became a director of Heal & Son, had a very different privileged upbringing, looking at art, travelling and having fun. She was extremely attractive, with long golden hair, and delighted in attracting young men, but was less good at relinquishing them. This is the story of an unconventional pair who worked as an early example of a ‘power couple’, told by their granddaughter."

3 pm. Bottles and Bygones by David Rose

David's illustrated talk is based around items our forebears would have filled their shopping baskets with. Hear why they loved drinking ginger beer from stoneware bottles and how they cleaned their teeth with a paste that was packaged in a ceramic dish with an attractive lid. Medicines came in bottles of all shapes and sizes, cream was sold in delightful jugs, and ink for writing was sold in small coloured glass bottles. Items featured will include plenty from long-gone Guildford breweries, mineral water firms, dairies and chemists. David will also be displaying some of the items from his collection.

Juliet Dunmur will be selling copies of her book – Edward Maufe: Architect and Cathedral Builder. Priced at £20. A £5 contribution from every book sale will go to Cathedral funds. When you book your ticket, there will be an opportunity to pre-order a copy of this book.

David Rose and Geoff Burch will also be selling copies of their double DVDs – Dave Salmon A Man and his Camera Part 1 - Railways, and Dave Salmon A Man and his Camera Part 2 - Guildford Scenes. Priced at £14.95 each.

Geoff will also have copies of his book The Ramblings of a Railwayman (2nd edition) priced at £10, while David will have copies of his latest book, Lost Guildford, priced at £15.

Although these talks are free to book, the Cathedral has faced significant financial difficulties during lockdown. Your donation of any amount will help ensure we stay Open To All for this and future generations.