Brother Willie

Wednesday, 02 March 2005

A popular exhibit at the Heritage Centre takes on a life of its own!
 

"Brother Willie" on display in the Abbey Room at the Almonry Heritage Centre

This carved stone figure was rescued during the demolition of an old granary in the Aldington area.  The figure could well have come from the cloisters of Evesham Abbey, possibly from the lavatorium.  Evesham Abbey was famous for these curious little carvings of people in everyday situations.  The carving appears to be of a monk who has visited the privy only to experience for himself the true meaning of "suffering".

We nicknamed him "Brother William" (or "Brother Willie" to his friends at the Heritage Centre) and he has proved to be so popular that we have had to lock him in a display case for his own protection!  There is now a small range of "Brother Willie" merchandise, currently consisting of a trinket box and a very distinctive coffee mug (I have one at the office as a conversation piece).  These items (see below) are available from the Almonry Heritage Centre.

Look out for Brother William popping up in various situations round this website.

Brother Willie was donated to the heritage centre by the late Miss D.G. Jerrim of Aldington.

Brother William says: "the coffee mug and the trinket box are both available from the Almonry Heritage Centre, Evesham.  The coffee mug costs  £3.25   and the trinket box costs £2.99.  And you even get a picture of me on them!  (I hope this is not sounding too commercial ...)".

Local Evesham artist, Barbara Butcher, has produced some original paintings of me and my brethren at work and leisure and the Historical Society has published six of them as postcards.