#11 of 20 star objects - Henry de Bohun ‘maquette’

A bronze statue of Henry resides in the House of Lords, along with other Bishops and barons that are associated with the sealing of this great charter. His head- quarters were in Trowbridge- making this town one of only 2 in the South West that can claim to have their very own Magna Carta baron! This plaster ‘maquette’ was used as the mould from which his bronze statue was cast and Trowbridge Museum has been lucky enough to secure its loan from Canterbury Museums Service. 

Plaster 'maquette' on the way to Trowbridge Museum

#10 of 20 star objects - Trilox Invalid Carriage

In 2013 the Friends of Trowbridge Museum put a call out, looking for someone 'who has a reasonable understanding of simple bicycle technology, who would like to take this on as a restoration project' after finding a Trilox 'Invalid Carriage' on Ebay. It consisted of a seat, two hand cranked chain driven front wheels and a back steered tiller wheel. Amazingly, a bicycle pump and a full tool pouch were still attached. Long standing member of the friends, and wood spoiler Bob Hallam took on the project, and the carriage can now been seen in the Museum. 

The Trilox Carriage before restoration

#9 of 20 star objects - Aplins Chemist

Aplins chemist was a family run business which lasted for over 100 years. Orginally established in 1790 as 'W H Haywood' chemist and dentist practised from The Limes, where the Town Hall now stands. He died in  1888 and the business was taken over by John Henry Aplin, then only 22.

Aplins chemist sign in Trowbridge Museum

#8 of 20 star objects - George Crabbe Display

Again, like the Taylors shop post, rather than focus on just one object, this post will look at an exhibit in the Museum as a whole.
This time, just a small case that could be missed if you were busying yourself with the mouse hunt, or distracted by the workings of our Victorian machinery. That’s not to say that it should be missed, as the man behind it has been admired by many over the years.

sketch of George Crabbe

#7 of 20 star objects - The Teasel Gig

The word 'teasing' derives from the teasel plant, a thistle like seed head, which gives you a good indication of #7 of our star objects purpose - The teasel gig.

The Teasel gig you can see in Trowbridge Museum today is one of the original objects displayed in the Museum from its opening in 1991, and is believed to have been accessioned was from Winterbotham, Stachan and Playne Ltd., Lodgemore Mills, Stroud, Gloucester 1989.

 

 Teasel gig being installed in Trowbridge Museum 1990

#6 of 20 star objects - Taylors Shop

This time rather than focus on just one object, this post will look at an exhibit in the Museum as a whole.
If you have ever visited the Museum you will understand why this display is one of our most talked about, and a favourite with the public; number 6 for our star objects is the Taylors Shop display.  Designed to resemble the drapers shop in Trowbridge in 1940’s, it starts lots of conversations and reminiscing with visitors of all ages.

#5 of 20 star objects - Brocade Wedding Dress

In 1900 Edith Whitaker wore this cream brocade dress. The dress signifies the joining of 2 leading families in the Baptist church and actively involved in the village of Bratton. 

Edith Reeves with her wedding dress, taken by The Wiltshire Times 1968