News August 2024
31st August 2024
We set up a stall at the Fun on the Prom, end of summer holiday event, organised by the local council. We had Blake related activities for children and engaged others in conversations about the cottage. There was great interest in our work and plans for the cottage and a many people completed a survey canvassing views the future of the cottage and how best it could make a contribution to the cultural and artistic life of the area.
28th August 2024
The Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum, education, and research complex , based in the United States, published a major feature on our Blake Cottage restoration project in their internationally distributed magazine.
News shorts...
28th August 2024
An international arts development consultant and former Felpham resident offers pro bono support to the project.
27th August 2024
Our Chair Doug Nicholls met with a skilled roofer and thatcher and the local conservation officer at the cottage to discuss next steps in the roof restoration programme.
Board Restoration sub group held its second meeting to agree next steps.
24th August 2024
Oshor Williams, of the Professional Footballers' Association visits the cottage.
22nd August 2024
An enthusiastic group of local residents helped us distribute a leaflet advertising our community meeting to be held on 19th September at 6pm-7.30pm in the Blake Building, Felpham Community College, Felpham Way PO22 8EL.
18th August 2024
As reported in the Sunday Telegraph today, the Blake Cottage Trust is proud to announce the receipt of generous grant funding towards the cost of emergency repairs, kindly donated by the World Monuments Foundation, the Foyle Foundation and Foulerton Charitable Trust. This is a vital first step in our major project to restore William and Catherine Blake's home and make it into a world monument.
5th August 2024
Writer, artist and campaigner Jan Woolf and ambassador for the Trust visited the cottage today and also met local artists keen to support our work. Jan has many ideas for widening and deepening support for the cottage restoration and redevelopment. 'There’s a bit of Blake in all of us,' she said. 'The popularity of his words and images is greater than any other British cultural figure. Blake continues to inspire creativity and provide ideas to live by at a deeper level. It’s time to honour his influence by restoring his and Catherine's cottage as a national treasure, and to build a learning and artistic centre to nurture new generations. As a former teacher I know how important this is.'
1st August 2024
The Trust has warmly welcomed the support for our endeavours given by the West Sussex Federation of Women’s Institutes whose committee will also visit the cottage shortly.