Among Pioneers: Maurice Egerton and Early Flight Exhibition

Let your imagination take flight with a new exhibition in the mansion at Tatton Park, marking the re-opening of the house for spring.

‘Among Pioneers: Maurice Egerton and Early Flight’, opened on Saturday and explores the fascinating story of the development of aeroplane flight during the early 20th century.

Central to the story the exhibition uncovers is the passionate involvement of Maurice Egerton during this intense period of exploration into early flight. Maurice, 4th and last Baron Egerton of Tatton (1874-1958) was a pioneer aviator, photographer, filmmaker, traveller and motorist.



Lt Commander Maurice Egerton,

© Tatton Park/Cheshire East Council/National Trust

 In 1903 the American Wright brothers made the first controlled, powered and sustained, heavier-than-air, human flight in an aeroplane. Inspired by this great event Maurice devoted a decade of his life to pioneering aviation work, at first developing his own aircraft, then testing and flying planes, eventually for the Royal Navy.

The exhibition explores Maurice’s friendships with some of these early aviators and his personal journey to make his own ambitions to quite literally, take flight.

Original material from Maurice’s archive and photographic collection is also be on display.

The exhibition is a collaboration between Tatton Park and Jim Rait, an aero-engine designer and expert in aviation history. The exhibition will be supplemented by a special talk by Jim on Wednesday, September 20, ‘Invention and adventure – early flight and technology’. Further details can be found below and on the Tatton Park website.

Mansion and collections manager Caroline Schofield said: “Maurice Egerton is something of an enigma. This quiet, unassuming and shy man is found among the ranks of the pioneers in the development of early aeroplanes in Britain. Though a terrible flying accident curtailed feats of daring, he continued to test and fly aeroplanes during the First World War, employing his meticulous eye for detail in support of the war effort. ”

‘Among Pioneers: Maurice Egerton and Early Flight’ exhibition
Saturday, March 24 to Sunday, May 6 2012 (closed Mondays). The Mansion is open from 1pm-5pm (last entry 4pm).

‘Invention and adventure – early flight and technology’ talk:
Wednesday, September 20. 11am-noon. £7.50 per person.
Jim Rait, aero-engine designer and expert in aviation history has researched the life and aviation exploits of Maurice Egerton. Tatton Park’s photographic collection and Maurice Egerton’s flight-log provides a fascinating insight into Egerton’s first attempts as a pilot and relations with the aviator Orville Wright.
Booking in advance essential. Please call 01625 374428 to book.

Eleanor Gorsuch, Tatton Marketing

A Day in the life of Tatton Park Biennial Volunteer.

Tatton’s 2012 Biennial is coming up soon and the artists involved are well underway with production for their piece. One of those artist is Aura Satz, who’s piece is embedded with the ornaments, patterns and music of Tatton hall itself. As one of the volunteers at the Biennial I had the chance to work as a runner and work behind the scene checking out some of the filming that will appear in the final piece.

Since graduating in 2010 in photography I have be volunteering at art events to gain experience from within the industry. The opportunity to work along side the Tatton park Biennial came about after sending the curators (Danielle Arnaud and Jordan Kaplan) an email, following a visit to the 2010 Biennial. So far I have been find the experiences interesting whilst gaining skills and insight to the industry.

Aura’s piece for the biennial explores rooms up close and personal, taking the small patterns from around tables, mirrors, bookshelves as well as the intricate strings of instruments. The camera seems to follow the natural path of such a piece, creating a delicate and intimate portrait of one of most well known rooms at Tatton Hall. Although they seem beautifully simple, the way in which pieces like this are actually achieved is not. Boxes and boxes of equipment were needed from Bevis (the camera man) to receive the look and correct positioning of the camera was, sometimes, down to the cm.

Two (extremely talented) musicians played the harpsichord and one of the pianos from the house. Filming was focused on the movement of the strings as they where playing. Seeing this part of the movement close up gave you a completely different view of the instrument.  It makes you realize how much intricacy is needed to make such instruments and the movement of the strings almost hypnotizing.  This, a long with the music from composer Larry Goves, was truly an amazing opportunity and one I am very grateful to have had the chance to experience. As well as getting the chance to see behind the scene process I have gained better understand to the needs of artists and the development of pieces.

Remember to visit Tatton Park Biennial where you can see the final piece from the 12^TH May.  I promise the piece will change the way you see the music room.

Musical melodies: performance and talk

Find yourself in the magnificent entrance hall of Tatton Park mansion on Thursday, March 15 and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped into the pages of a scene from Pride and Prejudice.

Penelope Cave, prizewinning pianist and harpsichordist, will be giving a special performance of music played and loved by Elizabeth Egerton, the ‘lady of the house’ during the early 19th century and a contemporary of Jane Austen.

Penelope Cave

Elizabeth Egerton (1777-1853) was a keen musician, with a serious and lasting interest in music. Her scores are held in Tatton Park’s collection and, with performances of pieces from these volumes, Penelope will trace her progress from a wealthy Yorkshire childhood, via a boarding school for young ladies, to becoming the wife of her cousin, Wilbraham and mistress of Tatton Park.

Penelope’s talk will highlight some of the findings of her research into the Tatton Park music collection, towards a PhD at the University of Southampton (funded by the National Trust and the Arts and Humanities Research Council).

This is a rare opportunity to hear some newly discovered material about a previous owner of the house and to hear the very music that Elizabeth loved and played in this stunning setting. Prepare to be transported!

The Musical melodies performance and talk is one of three lectures taking place in the mansion this year. The lectures form part of the extensive adult and family-learning programme with nearly 60 activities and participatory events taking place this year.

Musical melodies - talk and performance: Thursday, March 15.
11am-noon. £7.50 per person.  Places must be booked in advance, please call 01625 374428. 
The Mansion re-opens to the public on Saturday, March 24.

Eleanor Gorsuch, Marketing