Update on William Blake’s Cottage, Felpham, West Sussex

As a resident of Felpham, it has been very depressing to see the deterioration of Blake’s beautiful little cottage by the sea, where he lived with his wife Catherine from 1800 – 1803. In the past few years, every time one walks past, there was more decay, until it looked like the roof, and possibly the whole building. was going to collapse. The thatch became almost non-existent.

The cottage used to be in private ownership, however, enough money was raised to buy it for The Blake Cottage Trust, which was great. In addition to the purchase, the Trust put in props to save the interior from falling down. Sadly, nothing else has been done. There have been some poetry readings by various “Blakefest” poets, notably by the late Niall McDevitt, plus Stephen Micalef and others from William Blake Congregation, who both also re-enacted the skirmish with the soldier that led to Blake’s arrest for sedition. There has been little other activity at the cottage.

Stop Press: there is now a new Chair of the Trust. Congratulations to Doug Nicholls, a writer and poet, formerly General Secretary of the Community and Youth Workers’ Union (1987/2011) and then the General Federation of Trade Unions (2012/2023). He has really impressed with his ideas, hard work, and enthusiasm. He has organised a substantial cover for the roof and building, until finance can be raised for a new roof and the considerable planned restorations. He is drawing in people to help as “Ambassadors”, with various contacts and skills, including literary, artistic, engineering, historical buildings, film making and fund raising. The art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon has visited, and was delighted with the cottage. There are many schemes, projects and works being thought out and prepared. A public meeting is planned, with the new Board of Trustees in attendance, at Felpham Community College, 6.00pm on 19^th September 2024.

For further details and latest news please see

https://www.blakecottage.org/

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Claire Lewis Victor

Picture: William Blake, Jerusalem, Plate 1, Frontispiece, 1804 to 1820

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