Silk once more.
April 16, 2023 2:53 AM Subscribe
I got married 12 years ago. According to wikipedia this year is Silk (or Silk and Fine Linen) which is odd because that was also year 4. Anyway, what should I do with the day?
Every year so far I've asked a question about plans for my wedding anniversary (The others are here).
I'm looking for interesting places to go, things to see, activities to do.
Extreme stretches are not only allowed, but actively encouraged.
I have moved from London to Letchworth since year 4, So points for things in Hertfordshire or Cambridge, but London is still extremely accessible.
Every year so far I've asked a question about plans for my wedding anniversary (The others are here).
I'm looking for interesting places to go, things to see, activities to do.
Extreme stretches are not only allowed, but actively encouraged.
I have moved from London to Letchworth since year 4, So points for things in Hertfordshire or Cambridge, but London is still extremely accessible.
This is, alas, outside of your requested region. But the Silk Museum and Paradise Mill in Macclesfield sound like fun.
The Silk Museum reveals Macclesfield’s 300-year story as a global centre for silk production, textiles and design. Discover our unique collection of machines and learn about our rich industrial heritage. Be inspired by our historic archive of pattern books and textiles. See how designs were created and then transformed onto silk. Find out about the people connected to the industry and how they led Macclesfield to become a global centre for design and silk manufacturing.
Our expert guides at Paradise Mill each offer unique insights, looking at all aspects of Mill life and silk production, from the beauty of the textiles, the social history and the global phenomenon of silk. The Mill is designated by Historic England and the tours provide a ‘truly absorbing visitor experience’. Happy anniversary!
posted by Bella Donna at 5:32 AM on April 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
The Silk Museum reveals Macclesfield’s 300-year story as a global centre for silk production, textiles and design. Discover our unique collection of machines and learn about our rich industrial heritage. Be inspired by our historic archive of pattern books and textiles. See how designs were created and then transformed onto silk. Find out about the people connected to the industry and how they led Macclesfield to become a global centre for design and silk manufacturing.
Our expert guides at Paradise Mill each offer unique insights, looking at all aspects of Mill life and silk production, from the beauty of the textiles, the social history and the global phenomenon of silk. The Mill is designated by Historic England and the tours provide a ‘truly absorbing visitor experience’. Happy anniversary!
posted by Bella Donna at 5:32 AM on April 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
My first thoughts - sky diving or silk dyeing - are already covered in the year 4 post.
Maybe a "silk road" buffet (take aways or cook together) or restaurant crawl - from various cuisines ranging from Middle Eastern to Chinese?
Adopt some silkie chickens or a silky terrier? (Probably a bad idea, but maybe you are already considering chickens or a dog...)
Get some scarves and learn to juggle?
Happy anniversary!
posted by the primroses were over at 5:36 AM on April 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
Maybe a "silk road" buffet (take aways or cook together) or restaurant crawl - from various cuisines ranging from Middle Eastern to Chinese?
Adopt some silkie chickens or a silky terrier? (Probably a bad idea, but maybe you are already considering chickens or a dog...)
Get some scarves and learn to juggle?
Happy anniversary!
posted by the primroses were over at 5:36 AM on April 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
Upgrade some household linens. Linen bedding is available but regular cotton sheets etc are also called linens so I think it works.
Buy matching silk underthings or kimonos.
Look for exhibits of paintings on silk or linen.
Look for classes/workshops related to processing flax to make linen thread, spinning, and weaving. I took a batik class once and we worked with silk but I don’t know if that’s typical.
Also a textiles exhibit or museum.
An aerial silks class?
posted by bunderful at 6:23 AM on April 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
Buy matching silk underthings or kimonos.
Look for exhibits of paintings on silk or linen.
Look for classes/workshops related to processing flax to make linen thread, spinning, and weaving. I took a batik class once and we worked with silk but I don’t know if that’s typical.
Also a textiles exhibit or museum.
An aerial silks class?
posted by bunderful at 6:23 AM on April 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
For this silk anniversary redux, focus on mulberries, the food of silkworms. Here is a charming centuries-long history of the mulberry tree in the UK which notes this relevant fact: "In the 1930s Lady Zoe Hart Dyke started a Silk Farm in Lullingstone Castle, Kent, later moving it to Ayot St Lawrence in Hertfordshire (!). At its height the farm had a 20-acre plantation of white mulberries to feed thousands of silkworms, breeding in 30 rooms of the house. Silk from Lullingstone was used to make the late Queen Mother's coronation robes in 1937, Queen's Elizabeth II's wedding dress in 1947 and her coronation robes in 1953."
I say you make a little pilgrimage to see whatever Starbucks or empty lot or parking garage now occupies that spot, and then go visit Milton's Mulberry Tree at Christ's College. Have a picnic of scones with this jam.
And if you really feel mulberry crazy and have a yard, plant a mulberry tree together.
posted by ojocaliente at 10:32 AM on April 16, 2023 [6 favorites]
I say you make a little pilgrimage to see whatever Starbucks or empty lot or parking garage now occupies that spot, and then go visit Milton's Mulberry Tree at Christ's College. Have a picnic of scones with this jam.
And if you really feel mulberry crazy and have a yard, plant a mulberry tree together.
posted by ojocaliente at 10:32 AM on April 16, 2023 [6 favorites]
The sizhu ensemble is a traditional Chinese ensemble made up of silk-stringed and bamboo instruments. SOAS in London has one ensemble that performs semi-frequently, judging by their Facebook page. No currently listed concerts, but maybe keep an eye out?
posted by dr. boludo at 1:06 PM on April 16, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by dr. boludo at 1:06 PM on April 16, 2023 [4 favorites]
Make a french silk pie.
posted by umwelt at 3:20 PM on April 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by umwelt at 3:20 PM on April 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Maybe take "silk" a little less literally and do something related to the law? Although the Royal Courts of Justice are not particularly romantic and the only legal themed museums are predictably gruesome.
There's a long history of using silk items to conceal codes, maybe a trip to Bletchley which isn't far (in fact it's close enough that you may have been there already...).
Maybe something related to tapestries, wall hangings, or Persian carpets?
posted by atrazine at 4:38 AM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
There's a long history of using silk items to conceal codes, maybe a trip to Bletchley which isn't far (in fact it's close enough that you may have been there already...).
Maybe something related to tapestries, wall hangings, or Persian carpets?
posted by atrazine at 4:38 AM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
Silk flower making class? Or maybe an embroidery class, that's silk as well.
posted by babelfish at 6:49 AM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by babelfish at 6:49 AM on April 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: UPDATE:
We went on an architectural tour of the Barbican in London because it's on Silk Street.
It was fun!
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 4:29 PM on June 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
We went on an architectural tour of the Barbican in London because it's on Silk Street.
It was fun!
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 4:29 PM on June 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
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posted by nouvelle-personne at 4:14 AM on April 16, 2023