|
29/9/2025 0 Comments Goose Fair, Nottingham
0 Comments
Today, I ventured on a road trip to collect a painting of Birmingham Cathedral that a friend was showing on social media, on behalf of a third party. I spotted the listing last Friday morning, when certain details caught my eye. Firstly, the topic. Secondly, the artist’s name: A. Sheldon Phillips. Those who know me, will know why. Instantly, I wanted to know more. I messaged my friend asking for further details and later made arrangements to collect and pay today. I simply loved the painting and felt a connection to my roots. I knew nothing of the artist, but loved the fact that his name contained Sheldon - where one set of grandparents lived for many, many years. Both of my parents were raised in Birmingham, though on marrying they moved away from the city. I have rung on the ring of twelve bells in the tower and had a tour of the stained-glass windows, during their renovation. Once home, I was thrilled with my new purchase. I sat admiring the watercolour, which is pristine despite the wooden frame being damaged in a few places. I set about learning a little about the artist. On the rear of the painting was the title, artist’s name and an address in Sheldon, Birmingham. Literally, a short distance from my grandparent’s house! It seems fate, has played a hand yet again! Artist’s bio: Arthur Sheldon Phillips, 1914 - 2001, was a painter and designer born in Birmingham. He attended the Moseley Road School of Art 1926-30 and furthered his studies, at the Birmingham School of Art where his teachers included Bernard Fleetwood-Walker. For many years, he was employed as a scenic artist working variously for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with Paul Shelving, and for the BBC as a lettering artist and mural painter. His work in this area resulted in commissions that included a large mural for the Chateau Impney at Droitwich. Elected an Associate of the RBSA in 1987, Phillips became a full member in 1989 and he also showed at the RSMA, RI and RWS. His work which is predominantly watercolour is signed A. Sheldon Phillips and he was referred to as ‘Sheldon Phillips’. Examples of his work are in the collections of the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Baron Philipe de Rothschild, the Royal Mail and the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.  12/9/2025 0 Comments A writing retreat in YorkThis weekend, I have taken myself off to the beautiful city of York, for a writing retreat. It has been a while, ladies and gents – boy, how I have missed these weekends. It does coincide with an RNA (Romantic Novelists’ Association) Afternoon Tea event which I booked a year ago, so thought I’d take full advantage and make a weekend of it. I packed Teddy, my dog, off on his holidays and waved goodbye to The Midlands for three days. I arrived at a gorgeous hotel, for a three o’clock check-in. My room was stunning, exceptional in every way – you know when you get a tiled ballroom for a bathroom – yeah that! My first stop was York Minster. The sheer scale of this building, let alone its intricate masonry, makes me catch my breath. York was the last city I visited with my dad, twenty years ago, so it holds a special place in my memory. We sat in the tiny café, opposite York Minster, for a cuppa before driving home. In my mind, that’s where we’ll always be! My next stop was the library. Name an author who can visit a city and not nip to the library? The décor and design of the foyer is simply elegance personified but when I checked their shelving under the letter ‘G’ - my heart sang! Thank you, thank you, thank you, York Library! You have made my day! Saturday 13th September: firstly, it is Roald Dahl day – I can’t not acknowledge the joy and beauty he brought to my childhood and millions of other children with his fabulous tales. My favourite two are ‘Charlie and the Chocolate factory’ and ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’. I’ve regularly used the image of his writing shed in my English classes. Secondly, I enjoyed a morning of writing in the Garden room - where I managed to conquer the ending for a chapter that keeps bugging my brain. I’d danced about with the detail for long enough and finally, nailed what I wanted to portray. Afterwards, I attended an ‘Afternoon Tea’ organised by the wonderful Lynda Stacey and Jane Lovering at The Milner York hotel. A glorious event which brought together fabulous authors, from across all genres, for an afternoon filled with delightful chatter and laughter. It was great to see so many faces that I hadn’t seen for a number of years, some for as long as eight years ago! And finally, I took a ghost tour bus around the city and listened to the enchanting tales delivered in the best possible way by an undertaker! More to follow ... 6/9/2025 0 Comments Austen – all the way! On Saturday, I nipped to my local library to attend our monthly writers’ group. I was delighted to find that the librarian, Libby had created a beautiful Jane Austen display celebrating her 250th anniversary – I couldn’t walk by, could I? Nope!
I have read all of Austen’s titles and many more about her life, but I did select one I hadn’t seen before. Each book I read about Austen provides an insight into her world, her life and her writing adding another value piece to the imaginary jigsaw puzzle, which I started as a teenager. If you’d have told the teenage ‘me’ from back then that I would still be admiring and learning from her writing, I’d have laughed myself silly. But, it’s true! Look out for Austen display in a library near you, as they should become more prevalent in the coming months as we near 16th December 2025. I urge you to stop, browse and have a nosey inside the book covers and you too may discover what all the fuss is about for us Janeites. 2/9/2025 0 Comments Strawberry Fields - forever! The original building at Strawberry Fields. A year ago today, I visited Strawberry Fields, Woolton, Liverpool, in order to visit John Lennons’ ‘Imagine’ piano (you’ll find the post, if needed). I’d never visited before, despite numerous attempts - instantly, I felt an affinity with the gardens.
As a child, John Lennon would trespass in the sprawling gardens of the orphanage by climbing over Aunt Mimi’s garden wall, despite her threats of him being ‘hung’, if caught! For much of Lennon’s life, it was a Salvation Army orphanage for little girls, but I believe he felt a connection and a sense of belonging. The orphanage was a glorious Victorian building which has long gone but I can imagine the grandeur of the property and the dreams cast within a young boy's mind. I can’t imagine what some children go through. Childhood is complicated by 'the adults' - which is not easy to say. Hence, my own visit to Strawberry Fields. Nowadays, the gardens are much smaller due to property developers buying large portions but still, I’d like to think the towering trees near the current building remember the young boy scampering around for hours, exploring and playing within his imaginary world. I can’t deny a strange sense of peace enveloped me, so part of me will always remain in the beautiful gardens of Strawberry Fields. |
Archives
November 2025
Categories |
RSS Feed