Bayeux Tapestry

Really looking forward to seeing it again, although it will be a very expensive day out.
I embroidered a panel, and it was on the wall for years before I noticed that one of the horses has only two legs.

I too, saw it in France so wont bother going to see it again but it was remarkable

WithNobsOn It to digress a bit , I think Reading prefers to emphasise its link with Jane Austen rather than Ricky Gervais though I do like and admire the latter. He was born and brought up on a council estate in one of the poorer areas of Reading and has achieved so much.

I do appreciate the historical significance of he Bayeux Tapestry to the Nation.

But I think it would be fun to make sure extra panels to add on to it. To point out some events that have taken place in more modern times.

I think l may have posted some of these ideas on Gransnet before. So apologies for any duplications

New Panel Ideas.

1. Panel that will show to the DDay Landings when France had to be re be rescued by the Allied Forces from the Germans . UK, US fleets, troops etc. And the number of military deaths.

Perhaps also a little bit about the useless Vichy France Government.

2. A must have on joining the Common Market . With Charles De
Gaul banging his fists on the table and shouting loudly

"Non, non, non" to the idea of British Entry.

3.Allied to above. Pictures of Common Market Butter Mountains and Wine Lakes enabled by massive subsidies to poor French farmers and growers.

May add to that Cod Wars and Apple import and exports.

4. Brexit and Nigel Farage..Who is allegedly of French ancestry. Like the irony here. He also served as an MP in the European Parliament for around 4 years which people seemed to forget about.

5..So called Migrants setting off from Calais in overcrowded dangerous boats run like ferries to Dover by people smugglers in France.

I realise that some GN's are very patriotic and may be offended by some of these ideas.

So.maybe we could have a panel celebrating the Channel Tunnel and the Concord.

We were hoping to see the Bayeux Tapestry last year whilst on a cruise to France, but our visit to Normandy was on the day before the museum closed in August and there were no trips planned. We would have had to make our own arrangements. It seemed like bad planning by the cruise line, but then again, cruise itineraries are arranged years in advance. We won’t be travelling 200 miles to see it in London.

Greenfinch

I saw it in France but will go and see the copy again in Reading.
For anyone who would like to spend a day in Reading there is plenty to do apart from the shops. The Abbey Ruins are an easy walk from the museum and are usually very peaceful. Various open air drama productions take place in the summer. This year it is Hamlet from 15 th to 25th July with Northanger Abbey at a date in August. Then there are Forbury Gardens not far away for relaxation.
The museum has its own cafe/restaurant which I believe is quite good. In fact we could have a GN meet up there if several people came on the same day. Buses and trains are not far away. In fact everything is very central.

Poor Reading. Glad you have a copy of the Bayeux Tapestry. Do people know that this is the birth place of the great Ricky Gervais.
Who has a French connection through his father

Have the local Council cashed on himyet?

You know an opened topped bus your. Or a guide to take around where he was brought up. Went to school etc.

Sure Ricky would find this amusing.

I saw it in France with the family some years ago. There was a replica on view before the actual tapestry so it was like seeing it twice. Enjoyed it but don’t need to go again

As someone else advised, there is a replica in Reading Museum, worked by ladies in Victorian times. Amazing! Plenty of other interesting exhibits there too. We visited a few months ago. Just a short stroll from the railway station.

I understand that a copy of the Tapestry is in Reading Library ? I would prefer to see a sample there rather wait for ages in a queue...

I have seen it in France. It is truly worth seeing and goes on forever. I had headphones to go round with which explained each section . Took a while but I love history . Not sure about seeing it flat wrong perspective

I'll probably go, as I'm a 'friend' of the British Museum so can get into the Exhibition for free, but I suspect it will be horribly crosded and who knows how close you will be able to get to see it. I did see it in situ in the late 1970's!!
Just hope there wont be loads of annoying people trying to photograph it.....last time I went to the BM I had to get someone chucked out who was photographing all the exhibits and talking loudly on a mobile phone and not actually concentrating on looking at the things themselves.....so watch out crowds if I'm around!!! I'm horrified though at the price of tickets.

I accompanied many school trips to Normandy including the D-Day landing beaches and the Bayeux tapestry, so I don't think I'll go to see it now.
I love just as much the Overlord Embroidery in the D-Day museum in Southsea, Portsmouth, a stunning work. It tells the story of the D-day landings and echoes the Bayeux tapestry.
Go and see that too, or instead.

We saw it in France about 40 years ago. I thought it was beautiful but we had 4 children with us so maybe didn't truly appreciate it. We will try to see it again.

I'm planning to see it. I'll use my Senior Railcard and it will be a good day out. I might even go twice, if it's really busy the first time.

I took my children to see it in France back in the 90s, I asked if they would be taking their children to London to view it but apparently they decided that that was my job as I’d explained it all so well to them all those years ago. I suspect the price of admission is something to do with this flattery .

I saw it in France but will go and see the copy again in Reading.
For anyone who would like to spend a day in Reading there is plenty to do apart from the shops. The Abbey Ruins are an easy walk from the museum and are usually very peaceful. Various open air drama productions take place in the summer. This year it is Hamlet from 15 th to 25th July with Northanger Abbey at a date in August. Then there are Forbury Gardens not far away for relaxation.
The museum has its own cafe/restaurant which I believe is quite good. In fact we could have a GN meet up there if several people came on the same day. Buses and trains are not far away. In fact everything is very central.

Yes, it has to be temperature controlled inside the casing.

I imagine it will be safely behind glass to protect it from being touched, or deliberately damaged.

Wrong emoji- sorry

😂

Sadly I have to agree. Security will have to be on the ball in London. So many ignorant protesters who may have a just cause but have no respect for history, for law and order or for their fellow citizens.
I wonder what Allira would say about this. Whether she agrees or disagrees it would be done politely, with humour and from a place of knowledge.
Please bring her back.

Or Michael Caine to organise a heist!
Though he must be getting on a bit now.

I'm guessing London will be on the look out for terrorists and paint sprayers and that security will be very visible.

I jolly well hope so, I wouldn't trust Just Stop Oil and the like to respect the history and importance of the tapestry.

I saw it just before it was taken down in Bayeux last year. (I'd seen it probably 10 times prior to that because I used to take school parties there every year).

What will be interesting will be the level of security in the BM. In Bayeux, you could walk round without seeing any security officials in attendance, and admission on the door was quite casual too. I'm guessing London will be on the look out for terrorists and paint sprayers and that security will be very visible.

I saw the Bayeux Tapestries years ago in France and won't bother to see them in the British Museum. Apart from the expense of getting there, I find BM exhibitions overcrowded.

Son was at Reading University - lots of examples of the works of the Victorian architect Alfred Waterhouse around the town. And for country hicks like me - there is a John Lewis!