Continuing our tour of the
UK's people and places a visit to...
Voirrey, Embroidery Centre
 Voirrey
is not only the name of an Embroidery Centre, it is also the
name of its owner. Voirrey Branthwaite hails from the Isle of
Man in the Irish Sea. The natives are a resourceful and imaginative
lot and Voirrey possesses these qualities in spades. Her name
is actually not that unusual; it is the equivalent of Mary in
the Manx language (the native tongue of the Isle of Man).
Serendipity was at play when Voirrey met her future husband and
business partner, Tony, whose mother was also a native of the
Isle of Man. Legend has it that Tony set out to visit his mother's
sister, named Betty Qualtrough, who still lived on the island.
Voirrey's mother happened to have the same name and when Tony
asked around for Betty, his aunt, he was instead directed to
Betty, Voirrey's mother!
When Tony and Voirrey got married, he had just taken a job in
Liverpool with the local Port Authority after pursuing a seafarer's
life. Voirrey worked as a medical social worker, until their
first son, Neil, was born in 1970. One and a half years later,
a brother, Giles, joined the family. While the boys were young,
Voirrey discovered the wonderful pastime of embroidery. When
the boys started school, Voirrey resumed working with children,
afflicted with physical or mental disabilities, and doing psychiatric
counseling, including grief counseling.
A
cathartic experience changed the course of her life in 1982,
when her mother arrived in Liverpool to undergo surgery for cancer.
It was, tragically, unsuccessful and after her loss, Voirrey
felt she could not handle the emotional strain of returning to
grief counseling. She needed a more healing and therapeutic occupation.
Since stitching brought her so much pleasure, Voirrey was inspired
to introduce others to this challenging and satisfying hobby.
With her family's support, she opened a shop in the small 12th
Century crypt of an old Manor House, Brimstage Hall, set in the
heart of the Leverhulme Estate. This rural area, known as Wirral,
is situated across the River Mersey from Liverpool.
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Voirrey opened the shop in 1983, stocking it with threads, kits
and fabrics. She shared occupancy with a ghost known as the Lady
in White, who allegedly jumped off the tower above the crypt
in an act of unrequited love. Voirrey has personally not encountered
this apparition. Her neighbor, the tenant of the Manor House,
operated a small restaurant and gift shop, which generated some
trade, but not nearly enough for this remote needlework outpost,
surrounded on all sides by miles of fields and farmland. By taking
a booth at the Liverpool International Garden Festival, the business
name spread to the diverse audience of six million who made their
way through this exposition.
The
effects of this strategy were soon apparent. By 1986 the crypt
was bursting at the seams. Voirrey was offered some abandoned
farm buildings, consisting of the original wain house and stables
in the courtyard to the rear of Brimstage Hall. A much needed
and welcomed Tourist Development Grant was secured, making renovation
of the buildings feasible. The structures were reborn as the
Voirrey Embroidery Centre. The new premises included retail shop
space, a gallery exhibition loft and classroom area. Concurrently,
Tony's career was going through an upheaval. The shipping company
for which he worked was relocating to London. After considering
the possibilities, Tony opted to throw in his lot with Voirrey
and the new center became a family operation.
Because the concept of such a large, impressive, out-of-town
operation was so unusual, especially in the needlework field,
considerable curiosity and interest were generated. Following
an article which appeared in the Daily Telegraph, the Centre
became the subject of a BBC television segment presented at peak
viewing time. The overwhelming response really put their name
on the map and prompted Voirrey and Tony to undertake another
expansion into the old mill and mix area next door, adding additional
retail space with a Patchwork and Quilting Department, offices
and storage facilities.
Exhibitions at the Voirrey Embroidery Centre are among the most
inspired and inspiring to be found anywhere. Some are of national
importance, like Tony's brainchild, The Military Embroidery Exhibit;
others are more locally influenced such as The Ecclesiastical
Embroidery Exhibit and still others are international in focus.
Especially memorable was a Jordanian Exhibition spotlighting
handmade coats, shawls and other garments embellished with elaborate
embroidery in traditional ethnic designs and stitched by Arab
refugees. Whatever the theme or subject, all exhibits illustrate
some unique aspect of needlework. Themes are diverse, always
provocative and displayed to the highest standards.
 Two
shows have become annual fixtures by popular demand. In July,
the work of youngsters from local schools takes over and is much
acclaimed for its originality and freshness of approach although
this will not be staged this year due to other exhibition demands.
In August, the gallery is turned over to the customers, giving
them the opportunity to display their handiwork to the public
and to view the work of others. The gallery's visitors' book
bears testimony to the ever increasing interest in, and appreciation
for, this art. To commemorate the millennium, the customer show
has been rescheduled in order to restage it as befitting this
momentous occasion. It will be held from Dec. of 1999 through
Jan. of 2000. Each participant is invited to display 2 works:
one from the old century and one for the new. Leading up to this
gala event will be a show in July called "Approaching the
Millennium" which will display the top 90 embroideries from
all over Europe that were entered into the 1998 "Anchor
Award for Modern European Embroidery Design." In October
"Textiles 21" the World of Embroidery Magazine of the
U.K. Embroiderer's Guild will present the work of 21 international
textile artists forging a path into the 21st century with their
design innovations.
The shop portion of the business carries a vast range of international
products. Kits and charts in cross stitch, surface embroidery,
ribbon embroidery, goldwork, canvas, crewel and blackwork abound.
A large selection of trammed and printed canvas are available.
Threads, fabrics, books and accessories galore entice wherever
one's gaze wanders. Their growing portfolio of exclusive kits
includes a cross stitch series in celebration of either Ruby,
Gold or Silver Wedding Anniversaries, and two samplers: one commemorating
the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic and the other,
the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Normandy.
 Instructional
classes have always been a crucial part of the business. 70 offerings
fill out the spring/summer 1999 schedule. In addition to the
highly professional local teaching staff, guest instructors and
designers frequently share their expertise. Each class is limited
in size to ensure personal attention. Some workshops coming up
include Machine Embroidery, Silk Painted Celebration Cards, Brick
Stitch Beading, Painting on Silk accentuated with Goldwork, Taste
of India and Taste of China, featuring Exotic Stitching with
an Oriental emphasis, Three Dimensional Floral and Foliage Motifs
Using Stiffened Threads, Silk Ribbon Embroidery and a special
Hardanger Workshop using Caron Watercolours and Wildflowers threads
to bring a refreshing new look to a traditional technique.
A most ingenious idea was hatched by Tony and Voirrey and, in
collaboration with the Tourist Board, a tour called The Embroidery
Trail was created. The trail "threads" its way through
Liverpool and its neighbor, Wirral, on the opposite side of the
River Mersey, in a most extraordinary series of stops where one
can view the splendor of contemporary Cathedral hangings executed
by dedicated nuns, priceless works preserved from the Middle
Ages and even an embroidery completed by George Washington's
great-great grandmother.
Under their combined stewardship, Voirrey has become one of the
largest Embroidery Centres in the U.K. enjoying an international
reputation. There have been many coincidences and serendipitous
events that have marked the lives of Tony and Voirrey Branthwaite
but it is no coincidence that Voirrey was voted Merseyside Business
Woman of the Year, nor that the Business itself received a Special
Tourism Award. They have both put their minds, hearts and souls
into their enterprise and it is a truly one-of-a-kind emporium
and showplace.
The Voirrey Embroidery Centre is located at Brimstage Hall,
Wirral, England L63 6JA
Phone: 0151-342 3514 (when calling from the US dial 011 44 151-342
3514)
Fax : 0151-342 5161
For information on The Embroidery Trail contact Jackie
Wilson at the Merseyside Tourism Bureau, Atlantic Pavilion, Albert
Dock, Liverpool, England LE 4AE
Phone: 0151-709 2444
Fax : 0151-709 8129
Interested in having
Your Work Featured in Our Gallery?
To our visitors: If you or someone you know is using the CARON
Collection threads in an interesting or an innovative way send
photos or samples and a note about which threads are being used
and how, to the address below, for possible inclusion in a future
"Gallery" feature. Please be sure to include your e-mail
address. All materials and photos will be returned if requested.
Send materials to: The CARON Collection, Att: Web Gallery, 55
Old South Road, Stratford, CT 06497
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