University Ice Biscuits – First Quality – Superior Ice Biscuits of Highest Degree – Made with Most Modern Machinery.

During the recent half term school holiday to Cornwall we got off the train at Bodmin Parkway and walked two miles through parkland to the National Trust house of Lanhydrock.  A splendid Victorian family house.  Whilst wandering through the sculleries, game larders, luggage rooms, and kitchens I came upon an early twentieth century biscuit tin, which reminded me that work and Bristol are never far away.

Wills Memorial Building was designed by George Oatley and has become an iconic symbol of the University. The WMB was completed in 1925, which helps date the ice cream wafer tin. Special Collections has hundreds of architectural drawings, photographs, etc., relating to the “lantern of the West”.

Later on, above stairs in the amazing barrel-ceiling library, I gazed at the fine collection of theological works on display.  A quick visit round the garden and church, then back on the train to Liskeard and more holiday.  Cliffs, beaches, sand castle making, bus rides, discoveries, mist, ancient villages, seal watching, paddling…. and finally the trip home, via Saltash Bridge and Brunel’s Great Western Railway.  See our online archive catalogue for holdings relating to Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and start with DM162.

Hannah Lowery, Archivist, Special Collections.