Gainsborough: Volunteer groups are helping raise funds for Gainsborough Old Hall

Gainsborough Old Hall has its own sewing and interpretation group which was established in 2010.

The group meet every Tuesday to sew and on Sundays act as costumed interpreters and the group have created historically accurate costumes for themselves and staff members at the Hall.

They have also updated and maintain the costumes the school children wear as part of the education session.

Avril Sanderson, from the sewing group said: “The sewing group does what women have done for centuries sew and put the world to rights filling a much needed social function as well as practical.”

The Old Hall also had a long standing relationship with the re-enactment group Lord Burghs Retinue and the support they give the hall increases every year.

These two groups decided to pull together for the good of the hall and started to raise money to reinterpret the bed in the Solar.

The sewing group made goldwork Christmas decorations which they sold to raise funds and Lord Burghs retinue look for sources of funding. The group were very pleased to have been award some money from Coun Pat O’Conner as part of the Big Society Fund, which means that the bed can be reinterpreted as it would have been to commemorate the marriage of Lord Thomas Burgh and Lady Margaret Roos.

The Big Society Fund allows all councillors to make awards of funding to a range of local groups and organisations.

Gordon Shaw from Lord Burghs Retinue said: “It was good to get such a quick and positive response from Coun Pat O’Conner.”

Victoria Mason, site co-ordinator at the Old Hall, said: “We really appreciate all the time the volunteers put in to The Old Hall and getting the bed re-interpreted will be a wonderful addition to the Hall and to the visitor experience. “