'Exclusive' Interview with Mrs. Leach

In December, I had a call from journalist Lynne Dixon, who was interested in writing an article for Exclusive magazine, about the 'Academy'; we arranged an interview. As I'm quite a shy and retiring person (some might find it hard to believe?!), I must admit that I agreed to this with trepidation.

But when the interview took place just before Christmas, I found speaking with Lynne a pleasure: she was not only very friendly, putting me at my ease, but also non-intrusive, which I found very reassuring.

Arrangements were then made for a photographer to take some images to accompany the article - which really did worry me: for a very long time, I've really disliked having my photo taken (a family trait, among other issues). But I got through the post-Christmas 'photo-shoot', thanks again to sensitivity and kindness, by  the photographer, Alex Cantrill-Jones (ACJ Media) - though I still prefer to be less visible than I am in the photos! And I must apologise to Alex again for keeping him waiting for some time, while I tried to safely fasten my costume.

(Having to make numerous alterations - perhaps due to eating far too many Xmas treats?! - I'd been working on the costume somewhat frantically to complete it in time for the 'shoot'; this required much work into the preceding nights - including the early hours of the morning of the photographer's visit.  Sleep deprivation, and trial and error dressmaking, not being an ideal combination, led to much fumbling with pins, tapes and straps on the day - and Alex was great about it, for which I'm grateful, and about the numerous times I had to interrupt his preparations for shots to hitch up dress slippage.)

As it turns out, the costume isn't very visible, due to the shawl worn to add colour. For Georgian costume aficionados, I wore my respectably dull 1790s teaching garb, comprising a simple v-neck grey 'spencer', over and period replica black leather walking shoes, and a simple white round gown, influenced by this much copied garment - for the sake of practicality, without a train. I hope to take photos when I try on the finished gown, and post here.

I received a copy of the magazine on Saturday (I think), but due to some rather unpleasant dental problems, I've not been up to much for the last few days, so have only just read the piece.

I'm happy enough with it - bearing in mind that (paradoxically, given my line of work) I'd far rather not have such attention: Lynne & Alex have done good jobs, as I anticipated they would.

There are very few inaccuracies (I expected more, as I can talk very quickly when engaged in enthusiastic discussion!), and these are mostly unimportant (I'll recheck when I have another, more detailed, read through). The one point that I want to set straight is with regard to my time teaching at the University of Oxford: the article states that I taught here for four years, when in fact I taught a short course four years ago (and I want to make clear that this, and my other teaching, was through Continuing and Professional Education departments and schools). 

I'd like to thank Lynne and Alex - and Exclusive magazine - for this opportunity to spread the word about the 'Academy'.

Austen Age Christmas Book: Update

My time-travelling colleague, Dr. Jarrett, has requested that she might have a word with my readers; I now hand over, temporarily, to her.

Just a quick update on the Austen Age Christmastide booklet I'm preparing to accompany the talk (as course materials) - or replace (along with podcast etc.), as digital resources - on late Georgian and Regency Christmastide, to be given at the end of the year (and for some, in place of the talk that I was intending to run last December).
I've been working as hard as can be on this monograph. But despite putting in plenty of late nights and early mornings to try and pull it off in time, various problems have got (and continue to get) in the way. I'd have finished by the proposed 2 February, had it not been for a combination of illness (in addition to the usual time-consuming disabilities) and computer problems (more of the same: unfortunately a new machine is unfeasible at present).

I can only apologise for the delays, and will surely finish within the next fortnight, providing that tomorrow's ordeal of a root-filling of a rather wobly abscessed tooth (TMI?!) goes to plan, and I have no more serious PC problems.[1]

I am hopeful that readers will find the wait worthwhile. 

It's now likely to be nearly (or possibly over) 300 pages long, with plentiful illustrations, numerous extracts from period poems and prose, newspaper reports, and a good few recipes, and will have quite a bit to say about seasonal customs and amusements in Derbyshire in the late 1700s and early 1800s. I shall also where possible set the record straight regarding some of the myths - repetition of beliefs about past traditions that specialist research shows to be untenable - that have arisen surrounding rituals and practices at this time of year, and that most articles and books on Christmas churn out uncritically, as unquestionable truths.

There have been benefits to the wait - not least the generous assistance of a transcriber, which has enabled inclusion of entire letters and articles from the local press, and other publications from the time; which enrich the flavours of the past. I've also been able to include more detailed information (derived from research undertaken while awaiting restoration of my PC's hard drive) - which allow greater consideration of the evidence, through deeper analyses; and incorporated a greater number of illustrations to enliven the imagination.

I shall post information here, and in the other usual places, as and when I'm closer to completion. 

Notes
[1] If interested in what PC not to buy next (IMHO): I have a Dell Inspiron 7000 ser. laptop that crashes after every Windows update (and other times), telling me that I no longer have a hard drive. Fortunately, a start-up disc (I'm so glad that I prepared one of these, just in case) usually gets it going again (after a bit of fiddling about with resetting things as I like them); unfortunately, this often loses / corrupts files / large portions of documents I'm working on, that I must then try to re-write from what I'm left with. 

Mrs. Leach's 2018 Events

Mrs. Leach is currently preparing educational resources (including a digital monograph to accompany a talk held later in the year); and planning events for 2018, which continue the 'Age of Austen' theme from last year's centenary of Jane Austen's death.

The events currently proposed the following talks:

'Love, Marriage, and Family in the 'Age of Austen' ', in May

'Austen Age' Tourism and Antiquarianism Period Picnic in the Park, in late July / early August - which it is intended will be given during a Jane Austen-themed picnic (period dress welcome!), in the grounds of a late Georgian Country House near Derby (pending Parks Dept. permission)

Death and Burial in the ‘Age of Austen’ Halloween History Talk, in late October / early November

Christmastide in the‘Age of Austen’, in December.

She will post details about the events first on the mailing list; then on this site; her Facebook Page; and Twitter: @LadyAcademy.

To receive notifications, join the mailing list by emailing: antiquarianacademy (at) gmail (dot) com, or contact her through the comments facilities on this site.

The mailing list will also provide information on special offers; later in the year (or in 2019), she aims to offer unique Georgian-themed merchandise - mostly limited editions produced by Mrs. Leach herself, such as books, greetings cards, jewelry, calendars, and other items, occasionally including original and replica artefacts from her teaching collection (list members may opt out of sales notifications, if preferred; personal information will not be shared).