A new Pearly Throne was carefully pieced together in time for this year's harvest festival.

Merton Adult Education learner Ruth Eaton created the Pearly Throne for the Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival on September 29.

In order to attract support for the charity work for the society, Ruth Eaton designed the chair that was used at the annual festival along with the help of Sarah Bolton, a tutor in upholstery at Merton Adult Education.

John Walters, Pearly King of Finsbury, acted as advisor for the project.

Wearing decorative pearls was introduced by Henry Croft, an orphan street sweeper who collected money for charity in the 19th century.

London street traders would wear trousers decorated at the seams with pearl buttons. 

In 1911 the first organised pearly society was formed in Finchley, north London.

 

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