Risen From The Ashes - Astley Castle

 Discover the fascinating story behind Astley Castle in Warwickshire.

 You could liken Astley Castle to the phoenix risen from the ashes. It has literally been brought back from a crumbling burnt out shell to become an award-winning historic gem nestling in the North Warwickshire countryside.

 Astley Castle dates back to the 13th century, it's been home to three Queens, played a vital role in the Civil War and is said to be haunted by the ghost of Lady Jane Grey.

 Over the centuries it's been knocked down, burnt down and vandalised, yet despite all that it has instilled passion in those who have fought to preserve and renovate it. And today it's one of The Landmark Trust's most treasured and successful historic building renovations. In 2013 it won the UK’s most prestigious architecture award, the RIBA Stirling Prize for Architecture.

 Astley Castle is tucked away in the little village of Astley near Nuneaton. It’s believed that there has been a castle on this site since Saxon times and was visited by royalty as early as the 11^th century. In 1266 Warin de Bassinghburn was granted licence to enclose his house – Astley Manor with a dyke and a wall and to crenelate it. The banks of the moat were 10 – 15 feet high.

 As centuries passed every age has stamped its mark on Astley Castle At one time it was owned by Thomas, Marquess of Dorset and his wife Margaret. Their son, Henry who later became Duke of Suffolk was the father of Lady Jane Grey, the ‘nine days queen’ who spent some of her childhood there. It was also home to the wives of King Henry IV and Henry VII.

 Just 500 metres from the castle there’s a stone monument to Henry, Duke of Suffolk, marking his desperate attempt to avoid execution for his part in the Wyatt rebellion by hiding for three days inside the hollow trunk of an oak tree. However, he was betrayed by his park keeper, arrested and beheaded at the Tower of London in 1554. The chair on which he sat in the tree is said to be at Arbury Hall.

 

Following his execution, Queen Mary ordered Astley Castle to be destroyed. It was dismantled as a stronghold. The Duchess appealed to be allowed to live in the remains of the house. Later she married Adrian Stokes who repaired the building.

 During the English Civil War, the castle was used as a stronghold by parliamentary forces, becoming one of a network of small garrisons. Captain Hunt and Lieutenant Goodere Hunt commanded about 35 soldiers there in July 1644. Royalist propaganda referred to Hunt as an ‘illiterate shoemaker’.

 In 1674 Astley Castle was bought by Sir Richard Newdigate who also owned Arbury Hall in Nuneaton. It remained in the Newdigate family until the 20th century and was then leased out. At one time the first Bishop of the revived Coventry Diocese occupied Astley Castle and in 1927 Queen Mary visited during the tenure of the Povey and Harper family.

 In 1953 Astley Castle had a reprieve from imminent decay when it was taken over by a hotel chain. It remained a popular hotel for 14 years often frequented by comedian Larry Grayson and had a cocktail bar named Lady Jane Grey. However, the hotel chain went into receivership, the furniture was auctioned off and the building left empty, at the mercy of the elements and vandals. In 1978 a fire gutted the building and Astley Castle stood derelict for many years. In 1998 it was put on the Heritage at Risk (HAR) Register.

 It was never forgotten however, and over the following years preservation societies and individuals fought to rebuild or save Astley Castle before 1,000 years of history were gone forever. From the early 1990s the architectural charity The Landmark Trust had struggled to find a workable solution to make the building habitable again.

 Finally, a competition was launched to design a holiday house that could be created within the ruins. Witherford Watson Mann architects were the winners. Their design went on to win the RIBA Stirling Prize for Architecture 2013. Funding for the project came through grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage and various charitable trusts and individuals. This Grade II Listed Building was removed from the Heritage at Risk Register in 2012.

 You cannot help but be reminded of its rich history as you approach Astley Castle on foot and walk beneath the ancient stone archway. At first glance the castle appears to be a ruin with its inner shell exposed to the elements; its mullioned windows gaping openly skywards through which birds fly in and out. However, look again and you’ll see the amazing transformation which won them the RIBA Stirling Prize.

 It’s been beautifully and tastefully constructed, the ancient and the modern sitting hand in hand, a two-storey holiday residence that sits unobtrusively within the Grade II Listed Building’s chunky sandstone walls. Ancient and modern brickwork create a beautiful and visible contrast between the old and new. Go inside and there’s an ambiance of comfort and luxury, yet the history and age of the building totally enfolds you. Speak to some of the staff and they will tell you of the ghostly lady who often passes by and says ‘Hello’.

 An elegant oak staircase takes you upstairs to a vast open kitchen area with period furnishings. Floor to ceiling plate glass windows provide perfect views of the Warwickshire countryside and the nearby ancient parish church of St Mary the Virgin. This is novelist George Eliot country and Astley Castle and the church were the inspiration for George Eliot’s Knebley Abbey and Knebley Church in Scenes of Clerical Life. Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot) and her father were known to often visit Astley Castle and the church where her parents married.

 Look to the history of St Mary the Virgin church and you learn that it was completely rebuilt by Sir Thomas Astley in 1343 as a collegiate establishment. Originally, a cruciform building with a central tower crowned with a tall spire. A conspicuous landmark that earned it the name of Lantern of Arden because a light was kept burning on its top to guide wayfarers through the surrounding Forest of Arden. Go inside and you'll find alabaster effigies of some notable castle owners belonging to the Grey family of those bygone times. Gone maybe – but not forgotten.

 Book a stay at Astley Castle https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/astley-castle-4806

 

 

We Meet The Kenilworth Artists

 We appreciate art in all it many forms, so going along to the Kenilworth Artists’ exhibition held in St John’s Church, Kenilworth, was a great morning out. Not least to see people actually getting out and about once more – following Government guidelines, obviously, but because of the amazing talent all in one room. The exhibition is on until Sunday 4^th July 2021.

You’ll find displays of hand-crafted items including paintings, ceramics, glass, mosaics, textiles, prints, cards and much more. And of course, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and chat to many of the artists about their work.

While the majority of the artists in this group have long been involved in their particular craft, the group as a whole only got together a few years ago. As individual artists, the majority of these talented people knew each other or knew of each other’s work, but many hadn’t met or joined together for an art event. 

Thanks to Jo Ricketts who works in fused glass, plus a handful of the artists, they organised the group Kenilworth Artists, which now has a strong presence on social media, and of course come together to put on fabulous exhibitions for the public.

Holding their current exhibition in the tranquil setting of 19^th century St John’s Church, is a perfect venue amid the sandstone arches and stained-glass windows. They have ensured that lockdown restrictions and safeguards are all adhered to, ensuring a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere on the opening day. Visitors could happily browse the artwork, talk to the artists, and even have tea and cake.

The work on display was incredibly varied; paintings included watercolours, acrylic and oils; from the brilliant wildlife and landscape works in all those mediums by Chris R. Saunderson, to the wide variety of photography and artwork created by Natalie Thurman.

As mentioned, Jo Ricketts makes the most beautiful and unique ornaments and decorative pieces from fused glass – working with flat glass and a kiln, her skills produce outstanding work. 

Also, creating artwork that captures the attention is Kevin Alexander whose tools include a credit card and masking tape as much as a paintbrush!

In their normal working life, two artists – Helen Jayne Woodcock and Karen Pittaway, share Karen’s studio in Old Town Kenilworth. Helen creates stunning fine art paintings, often of the streets, buildings and landscapes of Kenilworth amongst other settings. While Karen’s unique paintings have an influence of L.S.Lowry about them yet full of colour, light and fine detail which speaks of the story-teller in her.

Captivated by the unusual perspective of her latest ‘lockdown’ paintings of the Kenilworth street she lives on, Karen explained to me: “These have been such strange times, I wanted these paintings to look a bit strange – a bit disorientating, hence the bending of buildings. And one shows the people out in the street, clapping the NHS. To get the perspective of distance and what can actually be seen far off, I’ve found that looking at Google Earth helps!”

Husband and wife artists Anna and Richard Poynter were both exhibiting their paintings and hand-crafted works. Richard, making sleek wooden clocks and Anna making mosaics of wildlife amongst other things. And while both clearly shared a love of painting, their own personalities shone through in their individual styles of work.

Leanne Simmons’ passion for wildlife and nature is evident in her almost dreamy paintings in oils and watercolours. She says that she strives to produce vibrant, emotion-provoking pieces of art. Something which I have to say, she certainly achieves.

Meanwhile, Louise Hutton exhibited some stunning portraits – not least was her version of David Bowie’s iconic Ziggy Stardust look. She also creates large acrylic paintings of cars such as the Aston Martin and famous celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Amy Winehouse and George Harrison in a pop art style.

Finally, for our visit we chatted to Melanie Dearing, a trained architect who has been painting all her life, but recently has been concentrating on boats and harbours for their shapes and colours. Her striking canvasses revealed the fact that she is currently painting in just five colours – red, yellow, blue, black with a white background.

No doubt your visit will discover your own favourite artists and works of art. All were unique but had two things in common. All the artists lived in Kenilworth at the heart of the Midlands, and all are passionate about art.

This free exhibition which runs until Sunday 4^th July is in conjunction with Warwickshire Open Studios, www.wostudios.org

Discover more about Kenilworth artists on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kenilworthartists

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenilworth_artists/

This article was first published in B-C-ing-U on-line magazine:  https://b-c-ing-u.com/art/meet-the-kenilworth-artists/

If any Kenilworth artists would like high res copies of any of the images published here or on B-C-ing-U, please email Rob:  robert.tysall@outlook.com   

More images here and at B-C-ing_U.com

Back to Business

 

Ann and Rob here at Words & Images UK hope you are all keeping safe and well. We’re hoping too that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, and we can now move forwards and get back to business!

With very little happening in the outside world these last 15 months or so, we have been following the Government guidelines, staying home and social distancing. 

We have been working remotely, however. This article which appeared in The People's Friend Special during lockdown was on the talented Little Miss Miniature who we'd met and interviewed at a Miniatura Show before Covid. 

We've also been busy producing a series of articles for Collector’s Gazette magazine. The series was called Toys through the Years. Starting with toys from the 1940s, we covered the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.  Luckily, our years of photographing toys through enthusiasts’ collections and toy fairs etc., has resulted in us amassing a large stock of great photographs of toys from all of those eras. So, we were able to get these six double page spreads done and dusted!

Through lockdown, we’ve also managed to get articles published in Dolls House & Miniature Scene and on-line magazine B-C-ing-U (every single week!). 

As authors, we’ve also been busy writing fiction. You may remember our thriller, The Bitter End, published by Bloodhound Books, which became an Amazon Best Seller when it was released in 2018. (Pictured right). So many people wanted to know what became of our characters, that a sequel was soon on the cards. We're hoping that before too much longer you'll be reunited with Paul, Sally and the terrifying Lamia who possessed the witch Petronella in The Bitter End; and some fascinating new characters you'll by dying to meet! Watch this space!

 

 A fun thing to do, during an ease in restrictions, was to create another Lazy book.  Lazy, King of the Castle is our fourth book in our children’s picture book series about Lazy, a British Bulldog cuddly toy. 

We also have: Lazy’s First Christmas, Lazy at the Garden Centre and Lazy at the Motor Museum. Check them out – if you have pre-school children, they will love them. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lazy-King-Castle-Ann-Evans/dp/B08T43TY78

To write this book and get the images, we ventured out to Kenilworth Castle, where true to form, Lazy got into all kinds of mischief. But, best of all, we did find time to have a cream tea! My first one since the start of lockdown!

 

As a reminder – if you have an upbeat story, a fascinating hobby, an incredible collection, or even a charitable event you’d like us to write about, get in touch. We always aim to get our stories published either in a traditional print or on-line magazine; alternatively here on our blog.

 

Email: ann-evans@btconnect.com

 

Catching up!

So, there we were interviewing a member of Followers of Rupert about that loveable character Rupert Bear celebrating his 100^th birthday this year, when Ann got a slightly woolly feeling settle over her and a sudden impulse to go and play in the woods. 

Luckily, she was back in time for tea and in time to write up her article on Rupert for Collector’s Gazette magazine. It will be out in the March 2020 edition, in good time for Rupert’s special birthday party in Warwick over the August Bank Holiday period.

Ann and Rob – who stays safely behind the camera… Did I say safely? Well actually, Rob is the one usually getting into precarious spots to get the shots he wants. But on this occasion, he was perfectly safe in Rupert’s Nutwood garden.

He also stayed safe when we had another encounter with a large walking ‘talking’ creature not so long ago. This was a nine-foot-tall Wookee of Star Wars fame. Chewbacca was meeting fans at the MCM Comic Con event which we like to go along to twice a year.  The hairy giant took a break from a photo shoot to be interviewed.

His rather mournful grunts, groans and growls all seemed to look the same in Ann’s shorthand notes, but reading between the lines, he said he was enjoying the show but looking forward to getting home, putting his (big) feet up and having a mug of hot chocolate.

While we’ve been a bit remiss about blogging recently, that’s just because we’ve been up to our eyes in writing for different publications. Amongst the activities, we’ve been meeting people who build and race remote control boats, plus we’ve attended toy fairs and model railway events, all for Collector’s Gazette magazine. 

We’ve been talking to amazing miniaturists who make all kinds of highly detailed doll’s house miniatures that have to be seen to be believed. Those articles are for Dolls House & Miniature Scene magazine and Miniatura. If you don’t know about Miniatura – check it out. Their Spring Show takes place in March at the Birmingham NEC – don’t miss it!

We’ve also been writing about Hounds for Heroes and the Cinnamon Trust for The People’s Friend’s magazine. And lots of other events for our weekly slot in on-line magazine, B-C-ing-U. We’ve also been doing some restaurant reviews – I know, a dirty job but someone has to do it! Plus, some motoring events and the amazing Tanks, Trucks & Firepower Show, which is always so exciting!

So, as we get into 2020, we’ve already been out and about, writing, taking photos, doing interviews, as well as being on BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire's Brody Bunch Show a number of times. And we’ve been busy writing books – but more on that next time.

Happy reading and writing everyone!

Fun and Games at Comic Con

A mini stormtrooper meets some of the UK Garrison army.

There was lots going on at the MCM Comic Con back for its Winter event at the Birmingham NEC, and despite the NEC raising car parking charges again from £12 - £16, there were crowds flocking to the halls, in all their Cosplay finery.

Glamour at Comic Con.

 Costumes ranged from the weird to the wonderful, from glamour to horror. We bumped into Ninja Turtles, Storm Troopers, superheroes of all descriptions, monsters and aliens, characters from video games and comic books, steampunk people in fantastic outfits, we even bumped into Father Christmas and Cinderella’s two ugly sisters.

We shall go to the Ball.

 With Christmas looming, lots of people were taking advantage of the huge range of unique items on sale that would make really unusual gifts – the sort of things you aren’t going to see in the High Street or supermarkets. A fascinating display that visitors were enjoying was the work of Terry English, one of the world’s leading armourers. For the last 50 years he has made created armour for film, TV and the entertainments industry as well as producing work for private collectors and museums throughout the world. Amongst the many films he has worked on are: Excalibur, Aliens and Jabberwocky to name but a few.

Expect the unusual at Comic Con.

Fantastic to see the massive range of trade stalls, that were showcasing hand-crafted items. There was everything from whacky wax candles, glittering footwear, quirky T-shirts, steampunk clothing and accessories, masquerade masks, Cosplay swords and accessories, soft toys and so much more. 

Ninja Turtles on guard.

One of the many interesting stalls was Wandcraft, founded by Bob Turner of Staffordshire in February 2017. His entire stand was made to look like an apothecary from Harry Potter, selling magic wands and staffs, ancient bottles of potions and all kinds of wizardry.  I asked Bob how he puts the magic into his magic wands, and discovered the secret ingredient was Unicorn scales!

You could even buy a magic wand on Wandcraft's stall.

It was also pleasing to see plenty of trade stalls catering for the hobbyist and collector. There was lots of toy stalls – a whole section for the popular Manga toys, books, comics and so on, plus the more conventional toy stalls with action figures, TV and film, sci-fi, DC and Marvel comics, signed photos of famous people, DVDs, videos and Blu-Ray items to browse, and other interesting stalls selling badges and patches, belts and buckles, sporting memorabilia, original art and sculpture and lots more.

Authentic uniforms for the 95th Rifle Regiment re-enactors.

On artist Richard Williams’ stall were a wonderful range of prints from his original portraits of countless famous people. Richard explained that he works in London creating animated story boards, so is well used to art work. He studied art and computer engineering, and as he says: “Practiced my heart out for 10 years then got a break, and now I do what makes me happy!”

London artist Richard Williams.

For Nintendo fans – and there were lots and lots, they had their own arena for Splatoon 2 UK Championship 2018 Grand Final. It was an exciting celebration of all things Inkopolis which included a special appearance by Splatoon 2 Producer, Hirashi Nogami, Splatoon 2 Cosplay and fan-art competitions and the Grand Final of the Splatoon 2 UK Championship, which followed months of fierce competition.

Crowds enjoying the Nintendo finale.

  There were live theatre events where stars of TV, film and video chatted about their work and their lives and took questions from the visitors. Amongst them, Jason O’Mara from Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Batman; David Morrissey from The Walking Dead and Dr Who; Mary McDonnell from Major Crimes and Battlestar Gallactica, Chris Barrie from Red Dwarf and many others.

Jason O'Mara chatting to fans.

Organisers of Comic Con saw around 35,000 people through the doors at the last show, and gauged that it was about the same this year. Next year’s event takes place on 23^rd-24^th March 2019. Details: http://www.mcmcomiccon.com

Enjoy a few more photos taken by Rob Tysall on the day...

Amazing IT costume.

The Joker.

Startling make up.

Pyramid Head and IT.

Steampunk Starwars.

Superheroes ready for action.

Popular pair at the show.

Steampunk Cosplayers.

An imposing force.

Get in touch if you want copies in a larger format.