Hey, your friend wouldn't be a Betty would she? I have a friend, Betty, who often travels to that side of the UK.
I love the Arts & Crafts movement as well as Art Nouveau. I grew up in Bristol and was very lucky to live in the only house designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh outside of Scotland.
Talking of Art Nouveau, there is a famous American silversmith whose name I have forgotten, but begins with D. He made lovely ladles and other things in that style. Does anyone know his full name.