Illustrating for Cotswold Life's June issue

Originally this piece on Stow on the Wold was meant to be published in the May issue of Cotswold Life, which would have been out mid April, but the advertising team asked if it could be held for June. It gave me a little longer to try out some techniques for one of the illustrations I wanted to get done - concerning St. Edward. Stow on the Wold is the highest town in the Cotswolds and this quote (which has no source) is often used to describe it:

Stow on the Wold, where the winds blow cold and the cooks can't roast their dinners

Last year when I visited it was snowing, and this time although the sun was out there was a bitter chill, so I couldn't resist using my humour in one of my illustrations.
This is the text from my feature to which this illustration relates.

There is a saying of Stow that as it is the highest town of the Cotswolds, it is a few degrees colder than elsewhere. On my last visit it was snowing, and today, although the sun is out, the air is chilly and I struggle to sketch the wonderful architecture and landmarks without shivering. I can’t resist adding some woollen accessories to my drawing of St. Edward who looks exposed to the elements as he looks down from his namesake town hall at the busy market area and The Cross below. Windows don’t appear straight in places and buildings are wonderfully old which add to Stow’s charm.

St.Edward's Chill. Graphite with free-hand embroidered stitch, Tracy Spiers

The other illustration I did was directly from my sketchbook, which I took back home and worked on of Stow's Market Cross.

original sketch on site of The Cross in Market Square, Stow in pen and wash

final image for publishing purposes
The Cross, Market Square, Stow

An archway alongside St Edward's Church, Stow which I chose not to finish and include

THE TEXT which the illustrations accompany

My dad can’t quite believe it. He is watching his daughter batting with the bat of all bats – the very one belonging to William Gilbert Grace, or W.G.Grace, considered by many historians as the greatest cricketer of all time. If we had arrived in Stow on the Wold a few minutes earlier Dad would have been the 4,000 visitor to have been to the town’s Cotswold Cricket Museum - believed to be the only one of its kind.

 

 

Minutes before I ask owner Andy Collier, “why cricket?” Immediately I realise it is a rather silly question to put to such an enthusiast. Before I can take back my words, a gentleman on the next table to me in Grace Tea and Coffee Lounge – part of the museum complex – replies: “And why not?”

Why not indeed? After all no one else has taken their private collection of cricket memorabilia – built up over 25 years - and turned it into a public attraction like this.

“It’s been the love of my life all my life. It started when I did an exhibition in Guildford two years ago and we raised £900 for charity over one weekend. Those who came were so gobsmacked by what they saw, it encouraged me to do something with it,” recalls Andy, who moved to Stow with his wife Marian when they saw the ideal building for their museum and café venture.

“When we first opened, a lot of people thought it was a crazy idea. Why would you want a cricket museum in Stow?  But it has received such an enormous amount of interest and as a result the collection is growing.”

My Dad has certainly been bowled over and I leave him talking to Andy.

Incidentally Andy and Marian have helped bring more visitors to Brewery Yard in Sheep Street, not only for their enterprise, but because they are now the focal point for Stow Info, the town’s Tourist Information Centre. Go Stow, an independently run visitor’s centre run by Sue and Walter Hasler, closed down last January, due to lack of financial support from local authorities.

“By having the tourist information point here means it brings people over to this part of Stow, and although the market square is the main hub of the town, it is making this a busier place,” admits Andy.  

It is this main reason that Jill Lawrence opened up Vivant in Brewery Yard at the end of October. Her attractive light and airy shop is what this French name suggests – it’s alive with colour and vibrancy. Full of hand-made arts and crafts displaying a range of unique workmanship, the gallery-like setting acts as a showcase and market place for artists all over the country as well as for Jill’s own beautiful exquisite jewellery.  

“I left a busy and demanding career behind me and with amazing support from my partner Steve, we have been able to focus full-time on this business. It is very satisfying to think that making something can give a bit of pleasure to someone else.  I am very excited about all the wonderful products that are in the boutique, showing off such fantastic creative talent for everyone to enjoy,” says Jill, who chose Stow because of its quintessential English qualities and the fact it was a bustling market town.

Royal Academist Mick Rooney has chosen to show his 70th birthday exhibition, “The artist at 70 - SINGLE STOREY (pictures from a bungalow)” in Fosse Gallery in Stow rather than in London. It finishes on May 31st, so if you are reading this before then, there is still time to see it.

Gallery owner Sharon Wheaton has staged many major exhibitions for the RA out of London and is now recognised as running one of the few specialist galleries offering the work of Royal Academicians and established artists in a rural setting. She has been thrilled to show the paintings of Mick Rooney which explore inner mythologies, neurosis, dreams and secrets that are so much a part of today's social landscape.

“I feel very privileged to be staging such an important exhibition for a leading artist. The fact that someone as senior and prestigious as Mick has decided to come here rather than exhibit in Mayfair is very exciting,” exclaims Sharon.

The central theme of Rooney’s work is mankind; sometimes in stories from his own personal history, his travels and small events of the everyday.

“This collection arrives in faith and hope, consisting mostly of stories both mythological and fundamental as maybe tiny additions to the great genealogical panoply of what inwardly makes us tick,” he says.

There is a saying of Stow that as it is the highest town of the Cotswolds, it is a few degrees colder than elsewhere. On my last visit it was snowing, and today, although the sun is out, the air is chilly and I struggle to sketch the wonderful architecture and landmarks without shivering. I can’t resist adding some woollen accessories to my drawing of St. Edward who looks exposed to the elements as he looks down from his namesake town hall at the busy market area and The Cross below. Windows don’t appear straight in places and buildings are wonderfully old which add to Stow’s charm.

While I am here, plans for a proposed doctor’s surgery are on show. It is on the field where the famous Horse Fair - a traditional fair for gypsies and travelling people to meet up and trade - takes place twice annually in May and October. This is an event which attracts hundreds and is steeped in history.

Markets have been held in Stow on the Wold since Henry II granted a charter over 900 years ago. The town is a wonderful myriad of quirky side streets – where sheep would have been ushered on their way to the market square – now lined with antique shops, art galleries and other individual independent stores. Evidence of history is all around.  The King’s Arms, on Stow’s historic market square played host to King Charles I before the Battle of Naseby and St Edward’s Café, originally St Edward’s House, dates back to the early 1700’s. It’s also a throwback to Stow’s original name Stow St. Edward or Edwardstow, referring to St. Edward, a missionary who lived as a hermit. Another landmark is the 15th century Market Cross, built as a symbolic reminder to medieval traders to deal honestly and fairly. Wool shaped Stow’s history and defined its character and reputation.

Parking is free in the centre for two hour, which makes it perfect for a visit. Being self-contained, the town is accessible and easy to shop in. People come and go which gives it character and life. While I am there a coach load of visitors arrive to look around, enjoy afternoon tea and admire the historic landmarks – including the unusual back door of St Edward’s church, which appears hidden between two trees and inspired Tolkien.

There is a warming old-fashioned community atmosphere in Stow. One is made to feel welcome. It is what helps the businesses thrive too.

Hamptons Hampers in Digbeth Street, featured in Rick Stein’s book, “Guide to the Food Heroes of Great Britain” and run by Richard and Claire Bufton, has been a strong presence in town for 26 years. They have around 100 different cheeses and a staggering choice of preserves, chutneys, chocolates, smoked duck, local hams and olives to make the perfect hamper.

 I think the reason Stow is thriving is because it is a very traditional town with lots of family run businesses. It means we can provide a great range of shops which is beneficial to both locals and visitors coming to Stow.” 

Claire has recently started creating what she calls “Sweetielicious,”  amazing cakes made entirely with vintage sweets and not one bit of sponge to be seen.  They have been selling as fast as she can make them.

“We all remember the sweets we used to have as children. I have been asked to make a number of wedding cakes. What is different about these is that you have to eat it from the middle out as they are crammed with sweets only with not one bit of sponge to be seen,” she adds.

She is passionate about providing for the gourmet lovers, just as Andy Collier is about sharing his love for cricket with others. As I score 100 not out with W.G. Grace’s bat, I can’t resist eating one of Claire’s freshly baked cheese straws. With so many people so enthusiastic about what they do and provide in Stow, there’s something special here. It has certainly bowled this maiden over.