The Leaves of Southwell Project Presents:
a talk by The Minster Stewards
23 March 2021
2.00pm on Microsoft Teams
What can the ‘Leaves of Southwell’ teach us about socio-economic, cultural and natural history in England at the time when the Chapter House was built?
The building of the Chapter House in Southwell (1290-1310) coincided with an incredible period of naturalistic carving that was sweeping through Europe at the time. Seven centuries later, the world famous ‘Leaves of Southwell’ continue to inspire and enthral. In this talk, we will explore what life might have been like in medieval England at the time the Chapter House was being built and some possible reasons as to why certain leaves and other carvings were selected to be immortalised in stone.
Book your place on this insightful talk using the Book Tickets for the Talk form at the end of this page.
About the Speakers:
Joanne Johnson
Joanne’s early working life began as Personal Assistant to the Administrative Director and later the Artistic Director of the English National Opera Company in London where she could indulge her love of opera and the theatre. Later she trained as a Legal Executive and worked for some years for a busy firm of Solicitors in Brighton before moving to Nottinghamshire to concentrate on raising her four boisterous daughters. She is currently a Steward and Guide at the Minster where she is able to pursue her love of history whilst welcoming visitors to the Minster, with particular emphasis on Guided Tours.
Janet Stocks
Prior to becoming a Steward and Guide at Southwell Minster, Janet led an international team at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, researching into respiratory problems in childhood, albeit with a severe knowledge gap with respect to architecture, history and art! This did not detract from her fascination and love of Southwell Minster after she came to settle in the area, particularly with respect to the Chapter House. In the past 18 months she has been helping Canon Nigel Coates and Prof Philip Dixon to develop a new guide book and other educational material for the Chapter House.
Donations
In normal times we would hold this talk in person and make a small charge. In the current circumstances, we are inviting you to make a donation, if you are able to. Donations from the talk series will directly support the improved accessibility and interpretation of the Palace Gardens, as well as increase the variety of plants, flowers and shrubs that we can plant in the next phase of the Leaves project.
Please use the form below. Thank you for your support.
If you complete this donation form, please remember that you also need to separately book a ticket, using the Book Tickets for the Talk form at the end of the page.
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