Just before I left for my holiday and conference, but after the incident about the passport (see first post) I went with some clergy friends to Bendigo to see an exhibition of clerical vestments at the Bendigo Art Gallery. There are fine art galleries in Ballarat, Bendigo and Castlemaine and it is always fun to see art exhibitions ‘in the country’. Also on show was an exhibition of dresses of the last Grace Kelly, but I was careful not to get the two confused (at least I don’t think I did).
This one from Wippell & Co, London matches the high mass vestments here at Holy Trinity. It was a steal at £75 when purchased in 1970. Having recently been to Wippells I hate to think what it would cost now.
Some of the copes were colourful and busy
and others were intricately detailed
and Bp Julian Ashton’s New Guinea bark cope and chasuble were extraordinary.
But the winner was an ancient cope designed by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. I will have to save up my pennies!
Father M 
Bp Julian Ashton’s bark cope and chausable are amazing to me. While all the other threads have been taken from cotton plants or perhaps a sheep or two, his has been taken from a tree. Wow!