William Carter’s flint panels
William Carter created a series of flint panels for the benefit of the Brandon community. William died in 1904, so you can get an idea of how old these are now, and more than that – they are very fine examples of how flint can be manipulated and made into art. Also remember that no machines have created these panels, only the skill of a Brandon flintknapper and his hand tools.
In 1972 the panels were set into the wall of the Brandon Community Centre, but a few years ago that building was earmarked for development and the centre was locked up. The panels remained in the disused building and were marked as being “at risk”, so thanks to the co-operation of Suffolk County Council and Breaking New Ground, the panels were removed and stored in the Archaeology vaults of SCC in Bury St. Edmunds.
Brandon residents then voiced concern about the panels leaving the town, made worse at the time when Brandon did not have a viable heritage centre, leaving other museums to display a selection of the panels. With the resurgent Brandon Heritage Centre, along with Victor Lukaniuk (Brandon/Suffolk Town Council & BHC Trust) tracking down the panels and Darren Norton (BHC manager) liaising with SCC to secure the panels, we are pleased to state the panels are now in our possession. A special mention to Victor who collected the panels in his car a few days ago.
The Brandon Heritage Centre are now the latest custodians of the panels, protecting them and displaying them for the Brandon community, and you will be pleased to know we have secured funding to create bespoke display units to house them. As you can tell we believe these panels are very special. If you want to see these, then they are laid temporarily within the heritage centre – open every weekend, 10am – 4pm, until end of October.
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