Mary Webb My (Re) Discovery

Hello my blogging friends, apologies for the fuzzy image start to this post but I'm paying the price for not taking real time images when I should have. This post is about my wonderful discovery whilst staying at Leighton Lodge on the gilding course last month. On arrival I noticed a blue plaque on the wall commemorating the birthplace of Mary Webb. In my mind I thought I had never heard of her, but once in my room I discovered some books about her and I was reminded that I had read one of her amazing novels, Precious Bane. This review from The Virago Press: '

Prudence Sarn was born with a cleft palate, her ‘precious bane’, for which she is persecuted as a witch by her superstitious neighbours. Hiding from daily ridicule, she takes refuge in the wild Shropshire countryside, developing a profound love of nature. Furtively, Prue longs to be loved and harbours a hopeless passion for Kester Woodseaves, the weaver. Prue’s brother, Gideon, is engaged to her only friend, but in his ambition for wealth at any cost, he incurs the wrath of his would-be father-in-law whose act of vengeance results in Prue being accused of murder. Only Kester, who has perceived her true worth, can defend her from the wrath of her accusers. Winner of the 1926 Prix Femina Vie Heureuse Prize, Precious Bane is a novel that enchants with its beauty and its timeless truths'

. Often compared to Emily Bronte and Thomas Hardy, Mary's writing is an intricate tapestry of words, featuring folklore, legends and local customs. Describing her deep relationship with all nature but Shropshire in particular. Nature was her life, her passion, it was part of her and she it. (She is quoted as saying how fortunate she was in being born and brought up in Shropshire's magical atmosphere). Sadly she didn't receive the acclaim she was due in her lifetime, and often struggled to make ends meet. Her health too was an ongoing issue for her as she developed Graves Disease, a thyroid disorder when she was in her early twenties. This condition worsened throughout her short life. It was Stanley Baldwin who championed her body of work posthumously, at a speech at The Royal Literary Fund Dinner April 1928, establishing her name and bringing her work the recognition and success it deserved.

I have just purchased a collection of her work through the online Oxfam site and very pleased I am too.

I implore you to seek her out she will not disappoint. I would also recommend the Gladys Mary Coles book on Mary Webb to wet your appetite and to give you an understanding of the woman behind the magic. "Let fall your golden showers, laburnum tree! Break the grey casket of your buds for me- Soon I shall go where never gold is seen, And who will be with you as I have been?

A Gilding Course & A Discovery

I have been on my travels again, this time to Shropshire to attend a Gilding Course. I have ambitions you see to 'gild up' my new home, once we actually sell our current property and get moving that is. The course was part of the many varied offerings at Leighton Lodge, under the auspices of father and daughter Roger and Katie. Together they run a much acclaimed school of decorative arts called Master The Art. (Unfortunately, dear reader you know my naughty blogging system won't allow me to create a link to them, grrrrr). My old friend George stepped in at the last minute to enjoy the course with me as my son couldn't make it as planned. This is me on the left of the picture, looking very professional in my 'artisan' dungarees, ha ha.

I have to admit that I didn't quite master the art of water guilding, but am very happy with my abilities to oil guild. Please note and admire my gilded walnut, yes they will be in abundance come Christmas.

This is an early photo of Roger in his Colefax and Fowler days looking every inch the debonair man about town. At 86 years he is still full of the joys of life, fuelled by copious amounts of nicotine and STRONG coffee. He was funny and very patient, a Master Guilder, and we couldn't have hoped for a more skilled and sweet teacher. George and I stayed in the flat at the top of Leighton Lodge and it was sooooo comfortable. Muddy the boisterous and vocal pooch kept us safe throughout.

This piece of thrifted furniture is first on my hit list for gilding and beautifying.

I best tell you all about my discovery in the next instalment for fear of you all falling asleep.