Icons of Fashion at Blenheim Palace with Kate Ballenger

Hidden Heritage

Welcome to this episode of Hidden Heritage, where we invite you to step into the extraordinary world of Blenheim Palace, a true gem of British heritage.

Immerse yourself in the allure of this non-royal palace, a designated World Heritage site, with host Violet Manners. In this episode, we have the privilege of being joined by Kate Ballenger, the keeper of collections at Blenheim Palace, who provides unparalleled insights into the meticulous management and preservation of the palace's extraordinary collections.

Join us as we embark on a journey through the rich history and architecture of Blenheim Palace, learning about its royal origins and its significance in the local community. Explore the challenges faced in maintaining the palace's historical treasures amidst nearly 900,000 annual visitors and the delicate balance between public access and preservation.

Delve into the impact of fashion exhibitions on historic houses and the innovative ways in which contemporary influences are seamlessly integrated with the palace's heritage. Discover the stories, innovations, and passion behind one of the UK's most treasured landmarks in this episode that unveils the hidden heritage of Blenheim Palace. So, prepare to be enchanted as we uncover the remarkable tales behind the preservation and celebration of this iconic British landmark.

Key Points:

00:00:05 - Introduction to the podcast "Hidden Heritage" about Great Britain's favourite destinations

00:01:12 - Description of the keeper of collections' role at Blenheim Palace

00:03:34 - Discussion about the origins of the "Icons of British Fashion" exhibition at Blenheim

00:05:58 - The story of Winston Churchill's unexpected birth in a cloak room at Blenheim

00:18:56 - The inspiration behind the exhibition, including love for designers Bruce Oldfield and Jean Muir

00:23:27 - The history of the Battle of Blenheim and its significance in changing Europe's power structure

00:26:22 - Churchill's invention of the "siren suit" during wartime

00:27:00 - Barber's sustainability efforts, repairing 76,000 jackets annually

00:30:48 - The plan to spend £40 million on conservation and restoration at Blenheim

00:33:42 - Importance of engaging younger generations with historic places

00:37:56 - The upcoming project to restore Blenheim's Victorian kitchen

00:41:23 - Revealing that the collections team works in an unglamorous office inside the palace

00:42:11 - Recommendation to visit Bicester Village for shopping near Blenheim

00:44:31 - Amusing anecdotes about managing film crews, including interactions with Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, and Ridley Scott

00:45:00 - The strict "no tape" rule during film shoots to protect the palace's delicate surfaces

Guest Info

Kate Ballenger is the current Head of Collections for Blenheim Palace.

Kate was previously House Manager at Blenheim Palace. In her role, she managed conservation projects to preserve the palace collection, planned events, recruited and managed palace staff, and generally was in charge of overseeing the visitor business. Her day-to-day duties range from briefing cleaning staff and palace guides to monitoring the presentation of the palace and dealing with customer service issues.

She has a degree in art history and a diploma in art conservation.

About:

Step inside Britain’s greatest Historic Houses, gardens and family homes through HeritageXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visit https://www.heritagexplore.com/

Links and Resources:

• Blenheim Palace
• Woodstock village
• Bicester Village
• Turnbull and Asser
• Vivienne Westwood
• Jean Muir
• Bruce Oldfield
• AI Weiwei

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