Thursday, 8th June 2006

PRESS RELEASE New Purchases by The Peel Society The Peel Society has recently put on show at Middleton Hall in the Peel Collection room, some of its latest purchases as follows; Two oil paintings by George Willis-Pryce show the front and the garden side of Drayton Manor in September 1925, a few months before the hall was demolished. These provide a unique reminder of the grandeur of the Manor, which was built by Sir Robert Peel, then at the height of his political career, between 1831 and 1835. Willis-Pryce (1866-1949) was a well known local painter. He painted many scenes of Warwickshire and the surrounding counties, which were snapped up by American GI's as souvenirs of their stay in the Midlands.

The Society has at last managed to acquire a Staffordshire figure of Peel on horseback. The "mantelshelf" figures were produced after Peel died prematurely as a result of a riding accident at the age of 62 in 1850. This figure complements the excellent ceramic collection that the Society has acquired over the last 25 years. Such was the up welling of grief when Peel died that the pottery industry produced thousands of memorial pieces.

The Society has also acquired a jug commemorating Peel's action in reducing the price of food by repealing the duty on imported corn. This adds to the collection associated with the Repeal of the Corn Laws.

Finally a very poignant reminder of the heroism of the Peel family is on show at Middleton Hall. The Reverend the Honourable Maurice Peel was a grandson of the Prime Minister. He was Vicar of Tamworth from 1915 -1917. He left the comfort of the old vicarage in Tamworth to go and be a pastor in the trenches in the First World War. He was killed shortly afterwards. Just before he left for the trenches, he published a booklet entitled the Lamp of Faith for his confirmation candidates. The Society has recently bought a copy. There is a magnificent memorial window to Maurice Peel in St. Editha's church.

All these items are can be seen at Middleton Hall, near Tamworth any Sunday afternoon in the summer or by appointment.

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