Archive - Friday, 18 May 2007


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Friends of Broadfield House

THE Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum recently experienced the delightful treat of a visit to the home of John and Carolyn Phillips the Wombourne Wodehouse near Wolverhampton.

The excuse for the visit was their fabulous collection in particular of 18th century drinking glasses.

But the group also had the pleasure of a look round the garden which was laid out in the early 1700s and a tour of the house itself. The Wodehouse deeds which date back to 1134 show that a grant of land was made to William Cook between 1166-89. The basis of the present house with its medieval timber frame dates from 1350. Over the centuries it has been added to which has created a unique and harmonious home steeped in family history - the property not having been sold for approximately 900 years!

The house is principally known for its collection of pictures (with some particularly wonderful portraits) and also porcelain and furniture. What is so delightful is that these are not so much the product of one individual avid collector but more a gradual and natural accretion of items that have been amassed by the family occupying the home over the centuries. It was also evident during the tour that many of the furnishings and artefacts in the home had been the subject of loving and extensive restoration.

The final treat was the Friends being allowed to view the very significant collection of early glass including in particular numerous wonderful examples of 18th century drinking glasses. In particular several of the opaque twist drinking glasses were in substantial sets indicating that they had actually been in use in the home and mercifully never replaced by more modern items. The visit ended with a welcome cup of tea and a slice of homemade cake made by our hostess to whom a presentation was made of a cut glass vase engraved in memory of the occasion. John and Carolyn Phillips were delightful hosts and this will be a visit much treasured by those fortunate enough to have got tickets!