Here are a few links to some of my favourite places.
I love the art of Ed Kluz. It resonates with a deep reverence for the “lost” places of Britain’s architectural heritage.
Some galleries happily transcend the traditional “pictures on walls” approach, and reward you with an altogether more satisfying experience. Two such are Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge, and Compton Verney in Warwickshire. Each shares a wonderful ambience, and an innovative approach to presentation. A return visit is always a joy.
Tinsmiths in Ledbury, and The Great English in Hay-on-Wye, are more than just shops. They delight in contemporary arts and crafts, and display and sell them in the most seductive way. It’s hard to resist.
Our passions enrich and stimulate our lives. There are three in particular that stand out for me; books, buildings and music. Thomas Bewick produced some of the most beautiful books of the late 18th and early 19th centuries; The Bewick Society keeps his spirit alive. The old churches of Britain speak eloquently of past times, and for me none more so than the glorious St. Swithun’s in Worcester; a Georgian gem. One tenet I adhere to is “You can never have too many guitars”, and for me the master guitar builder is Stefan Sobell. I was hugely fortunate to visit his workshop a few years ago, and was impressed by both his craftsmanship and his humanity; a lovely man.