It's that time of year again!

Michael Holroyd
Photo credit: Caroline Forbes

Our 8th Literary Festival is on 6 and 7 March 2010 and once again, we have persuaded the great and good of the literary world to visit us. Michael Holroyd is just one of the luminaries as well as David Crystal, Justin Cartwright, Giles Radice, Lyndall Gordon, two of the members of the Contemporary Women Writers Club (Lucy Cavendish and Miranda Gordon) and Derek Jacobi, no less.

The programme is out, the website published and the phone is ringing. As virtually everything sold out last year, everyone is rushing to make sure of their tickets this time round.

Let's hope it continues our tradition of a successful, happy weekend.

Picasa Web Albums - Jackie - house of correction

Picasa Web Albums - Jackie - house of correction

Our Christmas treat! Yes, really. It was a wonderful, peaceful and not at all daunting place, despite the shackles and handcuffs in the hall. Missed the family, of course, but loved the quiet, snowcovered surroundings.

Foxy Slightly Foxed

Having borrowed my dear friend Maeve's copies for years, I decided it was time to subscribe myself to this splendid quarterly book. If you've not heard of it you can go to their website through the image. It is a joy for readers, reminding or informing about books that are often out of print (thank heavens for Abebooks and Amazon - pace bookshops - where you can usually find used copies).

I've just received the Winter edition, which provided a rapid nostalgia trip of childhood memories, with a piece on the books of Alison Uttley. (I notice that Awesome books have many of them for sale) The images such as this take me to my grandparents' house where I grew up and I can remember vividly the impression they made at the time. This must be accurate, because my boys were not interested. I think I must get some for myself, but am hesitating over the one where Little Grey Rabbit Got Her Tail Back, which I found frightening.


Why did these books disappear? What happened to my lovely copies? Too late now - but I implore today's generation to hang on to their children's books if they can, so they can be passed down. There are so many I would love to have now, although I do have the boys' set of Beatrix Potter, and Asterix and Tintin are now either in Australia or Sussex!

I am no technophobe - rather the reverse - but I do wish that reading proper books might be encouraged as there is really nothing like it, especially for young children. Being read to is lovely, but I remember that moment when I wanted to read at bedtime myself, and often long after the lights were out, under the sheets with a torch.

You're never alone with a book.

Going Modern - Being British

(The title of this piece refers to a renowned article by Paul Nash debating two types of British identity - the heritage of the past and progressive present.)


We are making a New World 1918
Paul Nash, Imperial War Museum






Time for an abrupt change of focus; first assignment done and dusted, now on to the next - What impact did the Firtst World War have upon visual culture? A meaty topic, to be approached in my case via a study of the work of Paul Nash, and his idealogical "Englishness", his unpopulated landscapes, and post-war his move to modernism and Surrealism. This painting was completed after the war, from sketches made at the time, and the huge irony of the title is obvious. But the sun keeps rising. Next week we go to the Imperial War Museum - great opportunity to really absorb this and other work of Nash. And taking a long hard look at the Formalism of Clive Bell.

In passing - Omega

Omega Workshops Pamela (1913), printed linen. Made in France. Picture courtesy Manchester City Art Gallery

Exhibition: Beyond Bloomsbury: Designs of the Omega Workshops 1913-1919, The Courtauld Gallery, Somerset House, London, June 18 – September 20 2009.

Today, at the hurried end of our lecture on Cubisn and the Decorative: from Orphism to the Maison Cubiste, we touched on the Omega Workshop and this reminded me just how fond I am of the Charleston decorative style, and the wonder of the farmhouse at Firle.

The drive towards the farmhouse, passing ditches which no doubt housed the renowned Cezanne in the hedge, is a sublime experience. Having been fortunate enough to work with the administration on a voluntary basis, I realise that all is not peace and calm, and that they lead a precarious existence financially. But nonetheless, it is a magical place to visit and should be preserved because of its unique decorative qualities alone, not to mention its historic significance as the meeting place of the Bloomsbury Group.

Go there if you can. http://www.blogger.com/www.charleston.org.uk

Dove Grey Reader - a like minded reader

This picture has nothing to do with dear Dove Grey Reader, but was taken from our bedroom window (before the cottage was rethatched) while recuperating, reading and watching wonderful skyscapes with a view to painting them later (as if...).

More to the point, I do highly recommend Dove Grey Reader's wonderful blog. She has become quite a phenomenon, and I heard her in discussion at the Oxford Literary Festival last year, defending literary blogs in the august company of John Carey (relatively pro) and John Mullan (very anti). I think the men missed the point somewhat. Literary blogs do not take the place of their erudite literary criticism, but they do give an insight into a fellow-booklover's take on a wide variety of books. Most are very much to my taste.

She is a delightfully self-effacing lady, who has become sufficiently influential that publishers rush to send her reading copies. Also, I like to think of her in a bucolic landscape (do look at her wonderful wood collected for the winter and ruminations on wood fires). As we are about to get a woodburning stove, this is particularly appropriate. This is the strength of the Web - that someone in deepest Devon can be read worldwide (even Outer Mongolia apparently), with her gentle, perceptive musings on life and books.

Viennese insights

Josef Hoffmann (Austrian, 1870-1956) for Wiener Werkstätte, Square Brooch, silver lattice, repoussé gold, and opal, c. 1905

Josef Hoffman was leading member of the Wiener Werkstatte founded in 1903 and was an architect and designer, following the Gersamtkuntswerke principles of a "total work of art". Not only did he design the building, but every detail including cutlery. His jewelry mostly follows the grid system, with these beautiful square brooches 5 x 5 cms.

This study is leading me into some wonderful art books (I am up to limit of Bodleian stack requests) but for sheer beauty of the images (including the drawings for designs) my favourite is the Winer Werstatte Jewelry exhibition catalogue from the Neue Galerie, Museum for German and Austrian Art in New York in 2008, which I felt compelled to buy as even the Bod did not have it.

Now I must learn some German and go to Vienna, truly one of the foremost birthplaces of Modernism.

Art for art's sake

As one of the country's students, it is that time of year again, and despite my sub-standard health at present I am determined to get to my lecture today - Vienna: Modern Interiority. Knowing our dear course director as I do, "interiority" being her favourite term, this will probably mean interiority of the mind, as well as buildings. Fascinating fin de siecle period, with the Secession and the development of psychoanalysis, and one that I am finding more and more absorbing.

All of which is an excuse for easing off on any book that is not associated with the weekly topics. We are supposed to spend at least 6 to 8 hours a week in the Oxford libraries, which once I am fit I hope to do. This course is the Advance Diploma in History of Art, at Oxford University's Continuing Education Department. It lasts two years and it at the level of 3rd year undergraduate work. Having completed the 2nd year course, I know what to expect. Reading and researching is one of the keys, but even more importantly looking at art/buildings/objects/design of the 20th century.

Saturday should be our first study day which is based around Cubism, primitive art (visiting the Pitt Rivers) with Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, 1907 (image copyright MoMA, New York) as a case study. Arguably this was the first cubist painting, and the Pitt Rivers visit is to look at the tribal artefacts which may have influenced Picasso.

Next week we go on to Fauvist Arcadia.... and so on ... I love it.

So, back to The Problems of Philosophy and the Worringer essay on Abstraction and Empathy, not to mention erudite journal articles on the Pucksdorfer Sanitorium by Hoffman, and Klimt't Stoclet Frieze with its Egyption iconography. Anyone would think I was clever!

Great day out in London

Corot to Monet - at the National Gallery on Sunday 20 July 2009Welcome Home The National Gallery, London
Fascinating exhibition from the NT's collection, tracing the development of landscape painting in France. Many treasures, for example this Theodore Rousseau

Resolved to read and learn more about Corot and the Barbizon School

Phedre at the National Theatre with Helen Mirren
Tour de force - didn't breathe for two hours. Highly recommended
http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/phedre

Resolved to mug up on Greek mythology and to read the text with Ted Hughes verse

King's Sutton Literary Festival 2009

Our 6th Festival was an resounding success. Apart from our pleasure in large audiences and illustrious speakers, as organisers we were particularly glad that this year was exceptional as it was an exceptional year in a sad way. Sara Allday, the inspiration behind the festival, and the energetic, brilliant organiser, sadly died in September. Her husband, Stephen, asked Rona Rowe to take on the organisation with the committee and we all pitched in to ensure a success.

My role of box office and website management meant that early on I was aware of the large numbers we were to expect. Ticket sales prior to the event were nearly 800, double that of 2008 which were considered excellent that year. Our speakers were a great draw, headlined by PD James, closely followed in popularity by William Fiennes, a local boy who is a nationally recognised writer. The next sessions to sell out were Lord Douglas Hurd and, separately, Lord David Owen, followed by Patrick Gale. Also a sell-out was our new Saturday evening slot, when Ruthie Culver and her musicians provided a poetry/jazz event while the audience enjoyed a delicious meal provided by Lisa Armstrong and her colleagues.

Running this type of event from home has interesting and sometimes infuriating side effects. For instance, phone calls at 10pm asking about availability of sessions which had been sold out for weeks, and advertised as such. Or, on the day, my husband received a call enquiring about food in the cafe at lunchtime. Some people are charming and make every year an opportunity to renew a friendship. There are several people who book for the entire festival.  We have kept tickets at the same level since the festival's inception 6 years ago - this must be some sort of record these days. However, the reason we sell so many tickets appears to be that, as a brand, we have recognition as a credible, quality event which generates a great atmosphere in the village and encourages readers of all ages.

We are fortunate to have a particularly useful local personality in Winifred Robinson, the radio journalist, who produced a feature on literary festivals, based on King's Sutton, for her programme, You & Yours on BBC Radio 4. This was broadcast on Friday 27 March, and gave us priceless publicity. In fact, our marketing is restricted to national and local press releases, a relatively small mailing list, some web publicit and large roadside banners. We are grateful for sponsorship in different forms from organisations; for instance, last year the local newspaper, the Banbury Guardian paid for our programme printing, this year and last we were supported by Savills, the estate agents, and this year we had the Hook Norton Brewery gave a donation. Every year we have beautiful plants and flowers from Purely Plants, www.purelyplants.co.uk, and help from King's Sutton Scaffolding. Since its inception the festival has been supported by the Old Hall Bookshop in Brackley, who also provide book sales.  A popular feature of the weekend is the huge sale of secondhand book sales organised by Peter and Sue Allen, who quietly get on with the job, raising over £1,000 with sales of books mostly at 50p or £1.

One of our strengths is that the whole event takes places in one venue, so whatever the weather it is possible to stay warm and well fed, as well as intellectually stimulated, all under one roof. The food produced is always cheerfully provided by local caterers, The Lazy Chef. 

Although raising money is not our priority, we are glad that we can donate our surplus to local causes, which has been the church preservation fund. In future years we are intending to extend this to other local organisations.

It is a privilege to be involved with the Festival. Now that it is on such a sound footing, it seems likely that it will continue. Our major strength is the quality of speakers - the same who appear at the big festivals, such as Oxford, Edinburgh and Hay. For a relatively small village, this is a remarkable feat and we are proud of our success. There is no reason to suppose we cannot continue with help from volunteers from the village, and taking advantage of our contacts. 

So, another year is planned, the dates are fixed as 7 & 8 March 2010. We hope to see you there.

Independent bookseller

Financial considerations aside, the independent bookseller (IB from now on) must be nurtured, supported, encouraged and cherished. I buy too many books, and admittedly not all from IBs. The giant Amazon does prove irrestistible now and then, but wherever possible I go for used books from the smaller online people. Our local libraries are terrific and a good place to read before buying; that way everyone wins. (I felt so guilty when Richard Mabey told me that he only received pence from library loans, that I bought "Nature Cure" immediately, and it is now one of my favourite books with bookmarks, real one's, not web, stuck throughout.

However, for a bibliophile, not only is it bliss to browse in a real shop, but it feels like "a good thing to do", along with recycling the rubbish and helping old ladies cross the street.

Good indies in Sussex are:

City Books, Western Road, Hove near our studio flat. Inge and Paul, the owners are somewhat ubiquitious in Sussex as not only do they have a great shop, but they run book themed talks by all the best authors in The Old Market, Hove and also provide the bookstalls at all the reputable festivals nearby, such as Brighton, Charleston and Lewes. They are unusual in that they offer discounts, and have a good loyalty card.

Much Ado Books in Alfriston has a great reputation and won The Independent Bookseller of the Year Award in 2007. (They also bake fabulous cookies, but that is privileged knowledge.)

In and around our Oxfordshire cottage:

Warwick Books, in, yes you guessed, in Warwick is a recent find and looks well up to scratch. My friends say they are very helpful and it certainly looked a well arranged shop.

Jaffe and Neale in Chipping Norton is delightful, and apart from shelves with their recommendations there is a pleasant cafe area. They also have an online service

Old Hall Bookshop in Brackley (Northants) is also a good place for new books, as well as a large, well organised second-hand department and high quality antiquarian books. They also support our King's Sutton Literary Festival

The giant retailers stress the importance of a good shopping experience. I would challenge them and say that it would be impossible to beat the IBs for their enthusiasm, efficiency, and devotion to their reading customers.

Those unread books

Having spotted several blogs about books which have been bought but lie unread, I thought that I would impose my own challenge on myself. The slight cheat is that I have already started all of these. To make matters worse, I could add many more books to this list.

These are just some and I give myself until February 28th to read:

Nature's Engraver - Jenny Uglow Finished 20 Jan 08









The Snow Geese- William Fiennes Finished Christmas 2007









Death's Other Kingdom - Gamel Woolsey Finished Jan 08










Barbarian in the Garden - Zbigniew Herbert Finished 21 Jan 08









Alice B Toklas - Linda Simon Finished Jan 08








Fathers and Sons - Alexander Waugh









Case Histories - Kate Atkinson Finished Jan 22 08









Human Traces - Sebastian Faulks Finished January 08

At last - we got married!

On 3 September, 2007 Robin and I were married at Hove Town Hall, with brother Chris and his wife Angie as witnesses.

The ceremony took place in the small room which was better than being in a large room with loads of empty chairs. It was surprisingly well decorated and furnished with rather grand "thrones" and good Regency colours on the walls. The Registrar was a delightful woman, with just the right personal touch, and the form of the marriage ceremony was unexpectedly beautiful and moving.

After it was over we walked to The Grand for a jug of Pimms, generously provided by Chris, then wandered back to the flat to change back into jeans and T-shirts with a rush round to get ready for our trip to Suffolk. I drove A, and C went with Rob. We were blessed throughout out trip with good travel, super weather and the most heavenly house - Landmark Trust, Purton Green. 2 wheelbarrows are provided for your luggage as it is quarter of a mile off the track, with a nicely mown grass path alongside a field full of finds, eh, Chris? (He found a croatal bell, the sort found of horses' harness, which could be very old, from medieval to 19th century. It was full of clay, but once washed and cleaned still has its clapper and works beautifully)

Purton Green is the sort of place you don't want to leave, and we spent much of our time there, surrounded by trees, farmland, pheasants, partridges, some rabbits, birds galore and the occasional passing horse, quadbike or farm equipment - somewhat incongruous to see a vast combine in such simple surroundings.

We ate in the medieval hall by candlelight which sounds corny but certainly wasn't. A lot of good food and medieval revelry were enjoyed. Angey Forster came to see us, and was ecstatic when we told her our news - tears and screams in the middle of the grass path! It was wonderful to have her with us for a whole day and we spent it at the house, eating in the hall and sitting on the lawn under the walnut tree in green and white striped deckchairs.

We all felt privileged to be experiencing this special place and it was great for a soi-disant honeymoon. The housekeeper knew we were just married and left a pretty card full of gold heart shaped confetti which went everywhere, and is still appearing from strange places....

Lovely memories, and a special time for us.

King's Sutton Literary Festival 2007

Another year, and better than ever! It is early days, but already ticket sales are going really well. The programme is out a good 10 days earlier than last year, and the content seems to be generally very popular across the board. Unsurprisingly, Margaret Drabble is a big draw, with Salley Vickers also popular. Having set up the admin last year, this time it has been easy to drop into a routine. Finding letters with orders reminds me of gathering in the hens' eggs.

So, let's hope that this year we sell many more tickets, making everyone's hard work more worthwhile.

www.kslitfest.co.uk

Awfully big adventure in Oz

My trip to Oz in October 2006. Scarlet with Hunter, Hunter, Scarlet and Uli on the beach early in the morning. James and Susie. Sydney, obviously - fabulous place. The beach at Lennox Head, and yes, those are pelicans. What a great trip with loads of memories. Made friends with Hunter and Scarlet, and enjoyed Ulrike's company, as usual. Some images...

La Picquoterie

This is, quite simply, the most beautiful bedroom at Jean-Gabriel Laloy's house in Normandy, sadly no longer a chambre d'hote.
It is here as a reminder of a beautiful place, with delightful people in limpid, lovely weather. 

End of the summer pictures 2006

Mum before her fall and hospital visit, and at home. How things have changed, but she is happy and well in White Lodge, just round the corner from her flat and next door to Arden.

Splendid wall painting in Kirsty's room in Edinburgh at the new flat, with a view from there, a lovely photo of Jamie and finally one of Nick in our flat in Hove.












Here we have a selection, pretty obvious what or who! The views are from the flat window, the room is the nice bright sitting room.

I will put together more another time.

Art History in Oxford

At last I am studying what I've always wanted. This year it is Module 1 of a Diploma in Art History at the Continuing Education Department at Oxford, and it is exactly what I hoped for. Renaissance to Baroque...

What joy that was! Assignments gave the focus I needed to concentrate on topics in depth. My first was on Renaissance qualities in art, using Masaccio as an example; the second was on Humanism and giving Mantegna's work as example; the third was on the drawings of Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael and the fourth on Rembrandt. My long essay was on Palladio. All of this has been tremendously informative and stimulating. High spots were being able to examine drawings in the Print Room at the Ashmolean, as well as a bursary for a trip to Florence. The picture is the view from the terrace of the little flat we rented for a week, in the San Ambrogio district. The first and last nights in Pisa also gave great pleasure.

Good friends were made on this course, and a new way of looking at paintings which has changed my gallery visit experience for good.

Missing several weeks due to Mum's 'indisposition' was a blow, but thankfully I got back and managed the exam - badly, I fear, but at least a pass.

So, the next module will have to wait until another year, when the timetable is more appropriate. Fabulous year, and I will miss the study.

Saskia sleeping - Rembrandt

Galloway Tours to Andalusia

Picnic time, Ronda bridge and bullring, the Alhambra - just a few of many...