Bats and thieves

We have posted several times about Andrea Galer's initiative Power of Hands (check these old posts for background information). We read in Hampstead & Highgate Express extremely disturbing and sad news:

Andrea Galer, who famously tailored Richard E Grant's overcoat for the film Withnail and I, has lost months of work and thousands of pounds following the break-in at her studio in Haverstock Hill.
Burglars entered on Friday night and made off with unique samples due to be marketed to leading fashion stores and sold to aid Sri Lankan survivors of the 2004 tsunami.
"Every single item in the collection has gone, about 20 pieces of clothing," said Ms Galer, who set up the Power of Hands Foundation to help Sri Lankan lace makers.
"It constitutes everything I have been working on for the past four months. I have financed this entire project by myself and built it up over two years.
"The clothes were just getting ready to be presented to the big fashion stores.
"Now the whole collection is lost. This project was designed to save lives. It makes me very sad."
Ms Galer's clothes have graced the silver screen for productions including Jane Eyre, Mansfield Park, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie's Poirot and Spooks.
Having started out her career 30 years ago in a shop in England's Lane, she has become a leading designer highly sought-after by film and television directors.
As well as designing for the big screen, she is also passionate about helping the traditional Sri Lankan lace makers rebuild their lives following the tsunami disaster.
"I am the only person in the world who is helping this group of people," she added.
"The Power of Hands Foundation is a huge project, and these were the first samples aimed at helping the lace makers rebuild their lives.
"The whole collection has been taken by someone who either doesn't know what they've got their hands on or who is deliberately trying to sabotage the project.
"It looks like a professional job. The door wasn't forced open but may have been opened with a special key." (...)
"All the ladies' items were made from Sri Lankan silk. No arrests have been made at this stage and enquiries are continuing."
If you have information which might help the police, call 020-7404 1212. (Ed Thomas)

We know how much this project meant for Andrea Galer since we interviewed her some months ago. We are deeply sorry for her.

The Yorkshire Evening Post talks about bats surrounding Brookroyd, Ellen Nussey's home:

PLANS to build 13 houses on a plot overlooked by an historic house with Bronte connections could be foiled... by bats!
The little critters have been spotted – allegedly – in the area around Brookroyd House at Birstall, near Batley, the former home of Ellen Nussey, one of Charlotte Bronte's close friends.
A report to the council states: "Development shall not commence until a bat survey has been undertaken." (...)
Brookroyd House has just been sold – the property has a lounge, dining room, cellar and gardens to three sides, detached garage and vacant possession, and was on the market a year ago for £360,000.
Brookroyd House was built in 1780 and is the former home of Charlotte's best friend Ellen Nussey, who is buried in the grounds of nearby St Peter's Church. It has original Georgian floors and fireplaces.
Charlotte was a regular visitor and put the finishing touches to Jane Eyre at the house. (Neil Hudson)

Categories: Brontëana, In the News