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As part of Reading 'Biscuits Town' celebrations, more than 30 local artists have produced new work to celebrate 200 years since the Huntley and Palmers biscuit factory opened.
The work is showing in an exhibition that opened today (Friday). Biscuits & Bricks, 200 years of the Huntley & Palmers legacy, is the third exhibition organised by Jenny Halstead and Linda Saul celebrating Reading’s heritage.
“The Palmer Legacy is significant in terms of their houses, many given to the university," said Jenny, "a park as open space and housing for workers - Palmer Park Avenue and The Mount.”
“The bricks part of the title is a nod to the fact that the Huntley and Palmers presence in Reading, at one time the largest biscuit factory in the world, has significantly shaped the town we know today,” Linda explained.
A crucial aspect of Huntley & Palmer’s success was the use of tins, said Jenny. “Biscuits made in Reading became known and eaten world wide once they could be transported in tins.”
Huntley, Boorne & Stevens manufactured the tins in Reading.
One of the participating artists, Thérèse Lawlor who made a biscuit box for the exhibition said: “I came up with the idea of making a biscuit box to celebrate those that made the tins for the famous biscuit company.
"They were innovators of their time and made it possible to transport biscuits around the world and keep them fresh. The top of my box shows the packing bay at the factory and gives us an idea of the many biscuit varieties that were shipped from Reading.
"Over 400 types of biscuits were made and the lid of the box shows a few examples. The building on the front of my box is 128 London Street which was the ironmongery shopfront where boxes were made. Others buildings show some of the shops in Broad Street circa 1903 and give us an idea of what our town looked like at the time. It has been great fun to make and I am indebted to my good friend Jo Alexander-Jones for all her research into the company."
Jenny said they had been waiting with great excitement to see the images created by the artists for this show and how they have chosen to interpret the title and the topic. "All the artists that accepted the invitation to exhibit, did so with great enthusiasm, so were inspired in some way by the subject.
"We are certain that, as with our previous exhibitions - In Reading Gaol by Reading Town and The Last Gasometer - the walls of the Turbine House will light up with colour and creativity to engage the visitor with yet another aspect of our town Reading.”
Biscuits & Bricks, 200 years of the Huntley & Palmers legacy is at the Turbine House, Riverside Museum at Blakes Lock open every day between September 9-18, 10am-6pm.
https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/biscuits-bricks-200-years-huntley-palmers-legacy
At least one of the artists (usually two) will be at the exhibition at all times.