Our meeting began with thinking about decorations at the dinner table – what times of year we each decorate the table and how we adorn it describing the colours, materials and textures we use. Through sharing different celebrations and traditions our conversations identified a number of distinct aspects to the dining table viewing it as;-
A space of welcome
Dressed for guests or special occasions the table welcomes individuals as well as changes in religious and seasonal calendars. What is on the table top – the crockery, glassware, cutlery and patterned textiles signify a particular sentiment as well as a certain feeling of being welcomed
‘’If you are invited to eat with nice things you are being told you are valued’’
We looked at Massimo Bottura’s global project Food for Soul.
A space of eating:
“A decorated table can give a particular air or expectation that isn’t always carried through in the food. It’s the food that shows the real welcome’’
A space of learning:
Coming together to share food is an opportunity to learn about different cultures and celebrations, as well as a space where we can rekindle traditions that are becoming lost. Table tops in the Dining Room will also be a space of learning.
So we have decided to start building a list
- What are the celebrations that people mark in Rochdale throughout the year?
- What did we used to celebrate that is no longer marked?
A space of community:
Sharing a meal is a means to share time with another person, sharing stories, personal histories and forming relationships of solidarity, building a community.
We were reminded of the radical hospitality and work of the People’s Kitchen Collective People’s Kitchen Collective, as well as the work of those in Rochdale who are enacting systems change.
From considering decoration at the dining table, we viewed embroidery samples from the museum collection. The group shared memories of family members embroidering tablecloths for special occasions; floral motifs on each corner and a central circular design. They recalled sisters and aunties crocheting adornments onto scarfs.
‘With crochet – a scarf just sort of suddenly unfolds in front of you’’
Sewing, crochet and embroidery were also ways of passing the time. Before digital entertainment and a culture of cheap homeware to decorate our interior spaces, handcrafts such as embroidery or quilting were a common pastime.