1803 Accrington

Had a fairly easy day today. Did a bit of shopping. I've added a thimble and a stronger needle to my tool kit plus we managed to buy some zambuck ointment which is hard to get in Oz.

In the afternoon we got a taxi and went to the Haworth Gallery to see the largest Tiffany glass exhibition outside America. What a surprising gem to find here and it seems not well-known around town. A local man named Joseph Briggs went to America in 1891 to make his fortune when he was 17. He began as an apprentice calico printer, I think. In 1893 he began to work for Louis Comfort Tiffany, the leading American exponent of Art Nouveau style in glass. The company closed in 1933 at the end of the art nouveau fashion so Joseph Briggs sent a shipment of vases, tiles and mosaic samples to Accrington before they were sold off or destroyed. There are over 140 pieces on display. It is well worth a visit. Gorgeous colours and amazing techniques and an informative display. It is also used as an education centre.

The house that is used for the display belonged to brother and sister, William and Anne Haworth, a family that made its fortune in the weaving industry. It is also worth a close look. Beautiful wood panelling and a carved wooden staircase with a gorgeous boy piper at the foot of the stairs. There are also lovely picture windows with lead light glass and window seats in the alcoves. The house was built in 1909. The brother died in 1913 and the house was bequeathed to the people of Accrington in 1920 on the death of Anne Haworth. There is a spectacular view of green hills from the entrance. Today, this area of Accrington looks to be affluent.

Finally went to the Oswaldtwistle Mill only to find it was closing in half an hour. It is a market operating in an old mill.