Friday 13th

Fortified by a cooked breakfast (a David special) Charles felt ready to face the day. First stop Windsor since JP had painted all those grey looking works of the Castle at the behest of Sir Kenneth Clark. Unfortunately there were too many trees in the way in Windsor itself so we had to drive round to Eton via Datchet to get to the other side of the river and a decent view. Luckily the sun didn't shine and Charles captured that necessary grainy gloom.

Onwards to deepest darkest Berkshire and an interview with Richard Ingrams. I'd expected someone very sharp and acerbic and admit to being slightly nervous but happily he was all charm and produced some delightful memories of Piper. And he has the most beautiful long haired cat which rubbed itself against my legs most of the interview, almost putting me off my stride - nearly as wonderful as Reyntien's cat. AND he recalled that Piper liked obscure artists such as FRANK BRANGWYN! I couldn't believe it and shrieked wildly so we had to get him to say it again! And Ingrams didn't even know about my relationship with old FB!

So delighted were we that Ingrams became the first recipient of the Soundbite pencil selection, being, as we are, a stationery fanatic.

Rigby had told us that Fawley Bottom (JP's house near Henley) had been burned to the ground but we thought we'd have a look anyway and luckily it hasn't been razed. I then went and asked if we could take some photographs of the exterior. The owner was none too pleased at me not having contacted them prior to arriving unheralded on the doorstep but did give permission. Phew.

And then to Islington where Jay and Jeremy live - Jay used to be Charles' PA at the Beeb and Jeremy was a journalist, one of those amazing people who have a tremendous enthusiasm and zest for life - his latest preoccupations including making a cork tree, gallons of world famous 6 fruit marmalade and writing a children's story. Champagne, anchovy olives and another wonderful evening - I could get used to this style of living!

Unfortunately, in the rush the following morning, I forgot to pack my special marmalade jar. I hope I'm forgiven. :-(

B&B's in London

This trip we're based in London and Charles' friends have very kindly offered us not only accommodation but also evening meals. First stop after our Pianola playing (see Brangwyn blog) was David's house in Shepherd's Bush (a film editor, he and Charles have known each other for ever and ever, or at least since their BBC days), evening meal c/o Laraine (see above), an artist and language teacher whose quirky individuality extends to her decor and cooking. Great food, wine and conversation flowed, super evening.

Meet the experts

Since neither of us live in London, getting there with all the equipment, finding accommodation and then scheduling interviews ain't easy, but so far Richard Ingrams has very kindly agreed to be interviewed which is sterling news. So this week I re-read his excellent Piper's Places in preparation. The London sally is planned for mid March and I'm desperately hoping to fit the other afficionados in for the same period (although one expert has unfortunately dropped out). We're also planning to visit Windsor Castle and get the feel of the place ('unlucky with the weather Mr Piper' - keep up) and ditto Fawley Bottom. Will keep you posted!

God bless all those who ...

The brand new spanking, sophisticated, beautifully formed, well fit, Brangwyn website was launched this morning at about 10.00 hours, loads more info and loads more images. So much for those sceptical beings who, observing me reading Dreamweaver for Dummies at Christmas looked at me askance, Libby, creating a website, you have to be kidding?! But I did it! Never underestimate the Tigger Libby (another WtP ref - see previous entry). Anyway, DO visit the site (http://www.frankbrangwyn.org/) and let me know what you think. Here's the opening splash:

A mild diversion

We were to have done some editing on the Curwen material 28-30 January but the previous week Mike Goldmark rang up - what did I know about Epstein? Not a lot, but I'm a fast learner. Did I fancy doing a piece to camera about his Epstein exhibition, due to be taken down at the end of the month? Not one to resist a challenge, I thought long and hard for about 20 nannoseconds and said YES! So then I had to alert Charles to our new plans and hoped he'd agree, and start mugging up on the great man. Since I was due to stay 3 days with mea mater prior to meeting Charles this necessitated rising well before the lark (6am) and keeping the wols (as in Winnie the Pooh for the uninitiated) company at night (well until midnight anyway after which I turn into a sloth) in order to read all the necessary books and formulate a cunning plan for a critique of Mike's show.

Actually the research wasn't that arduous because I became captivated by Epstein's talent, energy, enthusiasm and refusal to bow to traditional approaches to sculpture (or anything else for that matter). A long day ensued at the Goldmark Gallery on the 29th January during which we dismantled most of the exhibition anyway, moving exhibits around (or rather getting others to do that since the sculptures are pretty heavy). Went rather well though I say it as shouldn't, and here for your delight and delectation is Charles captivated in turn by the breasts of the Shulamite Woman and Girl from Baku (so what's new?!) and Epstein's wonderful orgasmic 2nd portrait of Kathleen.

What else has been happening in January? Apart from some Brangwyn authentication reports for various London auction houses, I've been occupied learning Dreamweaver and trying to drag my Brangwyn website kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Charles has been working on Charlotte Bach and Fiore de Henriques and trying to protect Dot from his new hooligan hens, whilst the pair of us managed to finish FBSG Northampton. Toodle-pip!

PP8, Film Farm

We decided that we ought to photograph everything in the Piper archive and do some talk overs before I delivered it back to Goldmark Art, but in the usual manner of things this took longer than anticipated so a return home scheduled for Friday was delayed until Saturday, at which point Libby was despatched well nourished with the traditional Piper Forensic Kipper. But some good work under our belts and that's it for this year. About 5 afficionados we'd like to interview early next year and then it's down to editing.
Hope you join us again in 2009!
Best wishes, Libby and Charles (or should it be Charles and Libby? I'll try to work that one out by next year)

PP8, Aldeburgh

Beautiful morning and although pretty chilly and frosty, I couldn't resist a run along the coast, fresh air, fishermen already put in a day's work, sky the colour of Piper's Snape Maltings print. So cold, even the pebbles had frozen together on the beach. Following yesterday's early start (for Charles type characters anyway) he was allowed a later start today - 9.45 - positively sinful by my books.

Having packed the car we drove the short distance to the parish church where we photographed Piper's memorial window to Britten.

Thence to check out Maggie Hambling's beautiful shell (also a Britten memorial) and get some super 8 film of the Martello tower, bought some herrings and potted shrimps for supper from a beach shack (CM INSISTED I include their logo - see below) and on to Snape to replicate Piper's print. Unfortunately the sun was just at the wrong angle so we retired to the Granary for a delicious and most welcome hot courgette and herb soup, had a look in the shop to see if they had pencils to add to the collection (but too up market for that sort of malarky). Back to the grindstone and this time the sun had moved behind the trees so we more or less got the view we wanted. And you can see my trusty steed China (silvery Alfa Romeo) in the right hand photo - she who has performed such sterling work this summer taking us all over Britain.

And back to Film Farm, a delighted Pepper (the feline) and some yummy herrings in oatmeal cooked by Chef Charles @ Hare in the Gate (an excellent restaurant, well recommended).