PBLC's Charity 2024-25
Blandford Fashion Museum
The late Mrs. Betty Penny MBE founded the Blandford Fashion museum, located in Lime Tree House, in 1996. The house is a beautiful Georgian property in Blandford Forum, built by John and William Bastard after the town’s Great Fire in 1731.
Mrs. Penny’s collection of costumes, known locally as the Cavalcade of Costume, form the nucleus of the present collection. However, since then the collection has almost trebled in size and continues to grow thanks to generous donations from the public.
In 2024, thanks to Dorset Council for the Culture and Community Project Fund they were able to initiate Stage 1 of their digitisation project, which has enabled them to digitally record all of the paperwork and photography associated with the Cavalcade of Costume. They are looking at a way at making this available through their website but for now, if you are interested in studying this wealth of information please email [email protected]
The Arts Council gave the museum accredited status in 2010, and renewed it in 2015. They receive a small grant from the Town Council, but no other public funding. As a result, all their members of staff are volunteers and they have a reputation locally for their friendly atmosphere.
They have 13 display spaces over two floors, and there is a rolling programme of exhibition changes. Exhibitions show visitors historic dress and textiles and the connection between fashion and social history. Additional facilities include a Resources Room for use by students studying fashion & textiles and a Lecture Room for study days.
Mrs. Penny’s collection of costumes, known locally as the Cavalcade of Costume, form the nucleus of the present collection. However, since then the collection has almost trebled in size and continues to grow thanks to generous donations from the public.
In 2024, thanks to Dorset Council for the Culture and Community Project Fund they were able to initiate Stage 1 of their digitisation project, which has enabled them to digitally record all of the paperwork and photography associated with the Cavalcade of Costume. They are looking at a way at making this available through their website but for now, if you are interested in studying this wealth of information please email [email protected]
The Arts Council gave the museum accredited status in 2010, and renewed it in 2015. They receive a small grant from the Town Council, but no other public funding. As a result, all their members of staff are volunteers and they have a reputation locally for their friendly atmosphere.
They have 13 display spaces over two floors, and there is a rolling programme of exhibition changes. Exhibitions show visitors historic dress and textiles and the connection between fashion and social history. Additional facilities include a Resources Room for use by students studying fashion & textiles and a Lecture Room for study days.
The above is taken from the Blandford Fashion Museum website
PBLC raises money for their charity throughout the year by selling specially designed charity bone and wood bobbins by Stuart Johnson (see below). At each of the bi-monthly meetings and Lace Day there is a raffle and all the proceeds go to the charity.
At the Lace Day 2025 a cheque for £800 was given to the Curator of the Museum.