Comments on: An Afternoon In Great Bardfield https://spitalfieldslife.com/2025/07/13/an-afternoon-in-great-bardfield-ii/ In the midst of life I woke to find myself living in an old house beside Brick Lane in the East End of London Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:24:53 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: James Harrison https://spitalfieldslife.com/2025/07/13/an-afternoon-in-great-bardfield-ii/#comment-1785229 Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:24:53 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=203886#comment-1785229 I live just across the road from Wiltshire Museum, which hosted a hugely successful exhibition of Ravilious’s work, including his famous view of the Westbury White Horse from a railway carriage. I’ve always been fascinated by his style — and intrigued by the idea of being a “war artist”. This, in turn, led me to discover through books Ravilious’s connection with Edward Bawden and Great Bardfield. The artists’ community there was remarkable, although reading Thirza Garwood’s autobiography rather shattered my romantic notion of artists collaborating harmoniously within their enclave. They were just as prone to gossip and personal sniping as any other tribe. And as for the difference between English and French watering cans — who’d have thought it?

]]> By: Marcia Howard https://spitalfieldslife.com/2025/07/13/an-afternoon-in-great-bardfield-ii/#comment-1752989 Sun, 13 Jul 2025 18:17:31 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=203886#comment-1752989 I confess that I’d not recognised the name of the village, but what a lovely little corner of our green and pleasant land, and love the architecture visible here – as well as all the wonderful watering cans! Well done Stella, keeper of the keys.

]]> By: Lynne Perrella https://spitalfieldslife.com/2025/07/13/an-afternoon-in-great-bardfield-ii/#comment-1752889 Sun, 13 Jul 2025 14:31:16 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=203886#comment-1752889 My discovery of Edward Bawden and Eric Ravilious was a Magnitude Ten! Don’t ask what took me so long, but I suspect I was buried in awe for American illustrators, and simply had not widened my horizons. But discovering Bawden’s mannerly/creative depictions of High Street, and also his notable book about Kew Gardens, etc. — also the Fortnum and Mason work he did — oh, just everything! — It so enriched my ideas of What An Illustrator Could Be. I have collected facsimile editions of many of his books (also Ravilious) and there is a cunning small-press book about Brick House (from Design For Today) that captures the mutual kindred friendship between the two gents.

Yours is a rich history of visual artists — and the love of gardening! Thanks, GA, for bringing us heaping helpings of both. Love the procession of watering cans!

]]> By: achim https://spitalfieldslife.com/2025/07/13/an-afternoon-in-great-bardfield-ii/#comment-1752816 Sun, 13 Jul 2025 11:48:45 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=203886#comment-1752816 That’s what I love so much about England: after enjoying a few days in London, you look forward to the countryside. You drive out for an hour or so and you’re there — Great Bardfield is such a typical place that can inspire you. Beautifully British!

Love & Peace
ACHIM

]]> By: Bernie https://spitalfieldslife.com/2025/07/13/an-afternoon-in-great-bardfield-ii/#comment-1752699 Sun, 13 Jul 2025 07:55:30 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=203886#comment-1752699 Oh how I wish I could settle in this village!

]]> By: Jane Williamson https://spitalfieldslife.com/2025/07/13/an-afternoon-in-great-bardfield-ii/#comment-1752676 Sun, 13 Jul 2025 07:24:53 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=203886#comment-1752676 Tirzah Garwood’s autobiography Long Live Great Bardfield is a wonderful book. (Tirzah was Eric Ravilious’ wife) I think her daughter actually put it together from her mother’s diaries. It covers much more than Great Bardfield though it plays an important part in her story. It is well worth reading (I found the book completely by chance at the Town House in Fournier Street several years ago.)

]]> By: Christine Hever https://spitalfieldslife.com/2025/07/13/an-afternoon-in-great-bardfield-ii/#comment-1752611 Sun, 13 Jul 2025 06:13:25 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=203886#comment-1752611 Very interesting and the village looks beautiful. I was surprised that you didn’t mention Tirzah Garwood, who was married to Eric Ravilious and also an artist. There was a recent exhibition of her work at Dulwich Picture Gallery which I really enjoyed. She wrote extensively about their time in Great Bardfield in her autobiography.

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