PRESS RELEASE

The picture shows Dr Richard Gaunt on the right with Norman Biggs, Chairman of the Peel Society in front of the bust of Sir Robert Peel in the Peel Collection.

The Peel Society recently held a luncheon for members and friends to celebrate the start of the fourth season of the Peel Collection on display at Middleton Hall. The luncheon was held in the splendid setting of the Great Hall. The Peel Collection has been built up by the hard work of members over 25 years and is a unique collection of memorabilia about Sir Robert Peel, the great statesman who lived nearby at Drayton Manor.

The Society has an excellent collection of commemorative ceramics, which were produced in the mid C19th on the untimely death of the Sir Robert. He had the respect of all classes for his fine administration and for repealing the Corn Laws, which brought cheap food for the masses.

Dr. Richard Gaunt, a Life Member of the Society, gave an illuminating talk about his special interest, the Duke of Newcastle. The Duke was a contemporary of Sir Robert Peel but was an opponent of the reforms Prime Minister Peel introduced. Dr Gaunt is a lecturer in History at Nottingham University. Nottingham was the power base of the Duke, who owned Clumber Park, near Nottingham.

The Peel Collection at Middleton Hall can be seen most Sundays and Bank Holidays between now and the end of September or by private appointment.

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