Emily Coombs pictured wearing her dress, which is still around today, left

How a lady and her dress tell a story of Somerset and Dorset in the 1800s

Paul JonesNovember 23, 20240 Comment0

A LADY sits proudly, if somewhat shyly, in a chair, smiling for the camera.

The picture, taken in the mid 1880s, is of Emily Read.

Baptised in Buckhorn Weston in February 1857, Emily was one of 13 children born to George and Elizabeth (formerly Shute), who lived in the Tunnel Head area.

George, by 1871, had become landlord of the Crown Inn.

The picture is important because the very dress Emily is pictured wearing – which she wore on her wedding day, when she tied the knot with postie Charles Coombs in 1883 – is still around.

And it is set to be restored and put on display, thanks to a £2,750 grant to Yeovil Town Council’s South Somerset Heritage Collection (SSHC).

The money has been secured as an ‘On Display’ grant from Museum Development South West, with support from Arts Council England and will be used to conserve and display the purple silk dress.

After getting married, in her dress, Emily and Charles had nine children.

And Emily lived in Buckhorn Weston until her passing on September 8, 1940.

Now, more than 80 years after her death, trained specialist and costume conservator, Morwena Stephens, based in Exeter, will assess and preserve Emily’s dress.

The bodice will be restored before going on display in Yeovil

The funding will also provide for a conservation-grade mannequin to display the garment, while Morwena will also lead a dress-mounting workshop for SSHC volunteers.

Once conservation is complete, the dress is set to be exhibited at venues such as Yeovil Art Space or Yeovil Library.

Joseph Lewis, heritage co-ordinator, said: “This is a significant milestone for the South Somerset Heritage Collection.

“It’s the first time we’ve secured funding to conserve and display a textile item, and this dress is a standout piece.

“With links to the Yeovil-based company Damon & Co and Emily Coombs’ story, the grant is truly transformative.

“We’re thrilled to share this beautiful silk dress and its history with the community.”