Stawberries and cream

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fanny fust12th December 2018

The Bristol HA held its final talk of 2018 with probably the most unique historical talk we have had so far.  It involved drama, research, local history and a short film which provided a real insight into how historians can use oral tradition. Openstorytellers is an organisation that supports people with learning disabilities by using contemporary and historical stories. Dr Nicola Grove came along to show us how they researched and re-enacted the story of Fanny Fust an 18th century local heiress with learning disabilities.  Alice did much of the research and Robin Meader produced the artwork for the Fanny Fust animation. Nicola acted out the scene between the plotters who abducted Fanny. We learnt how Fanny was persuaded or charmed into going to France by Henry Bowerman a fortune hunter in 1787. He used Fanny’s love of strawberries and cream to lure her abroad. Henry Bowerman was after her money but her mother sent investigators after her and eventually she was rescued. Alice and Richard showed a short film with more of the members of Openstorytellers working with Professor Josie McLellan and Simon Jarrett on the original project.  It also showed the members of Openstorytellers working with curators at Bath Fashion Museum to understand the mysteries of 18th century corsetry.  After the drama and the film Nicola, Robin and Alice took part in a question and answer session with our audience.

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