The Ceramics
Len and Lesley were involved in the planning of most of these paintings. Click on any of the photos to see large scale high resolution images.
JUBILEE MARKET HALL LP50 on THOMAS COOK
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This was the very first place Hazle sold her ceramics, from January 1990. For most of that time, the Hazle stall has been in Jubilee Hall. This is the site of the old Flower Market (now in New Covent Garden, South London) celebrated in the windows by the left doors. Other windows show a selection of crafts including of course Roding Arts, named after an area in Essex. Len and Lesley completely took over the stall from Hazle sometime in the early to mid 1990s. Jubilee Market Hall is the first ever official Limited Painting on Thomas Cook - so an historic piece all round! Painted by Cara Hornett |
NEAL'S YARD LP30 on WINDSOR JUBILEE
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Neal's Yard is to be found in another part of the Covent Garden area, not very far from Jubilee Hall. It is famous for foods and also alternative remedies. Painted by Carol Whaley |
RIVER TRIPS LP30 on MALVERN
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Don't miss the boat on this one - it leaves from Westminster Pier at 2.30pm! Possible destinations on the Thames include Hampton Court and Kew Gardens up river and Tower Pier and Greenwich going the other way. The bird details vary from piece to piece. Painted by Michelle Bland |
BESPOKE TAILORS LP20 on SEAFORD
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The Arty Crafts painting was retired last year but the lovely Seaford building turns up in a variety of different guises for specials. A cross-legged tailor is sewing away in the window. Now that's what I call traditional! And it's a sight you can probably still see in many parts of the world. Painted by Carol Whaley |
BOOKBINDERS LP20 on OXFAM 1
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A successful one-off designed by Lesley that got turned into a Limited Painting. A highly detailed and attractive painting, this is the first time this theme has been depicted on a numbered edition. Painted by Sharon Stroud |
CHINA TOWN LP30 on CANTERBURY BURGATE
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Here the relatively new painting of The Sun Pub becomes a sort of House of The Rising Sun! The windows are full of Chinese lanterns and oriental spice jars. The Chinese characters look very similar to those on the Chinese Restaurant - Big, Good Luck! Painted by Carol Whaley |
VILLAGE STORES LP10 on SALLY LUNN
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The old-fashioned, traditional shop which sells everything and does deliveries too. This type of store still is the hub of many a village, but sadly they are a dying breed. A keen looking assistant stands behind the counter - no self-service here - and someone to have a gossip with! Painted by Iona Driver |
NAIL PARLOUR LP30 on MALVERN
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Quite a funky colourway but appropriate to the theme. (Len says the colours remind him of the famous Wheelers Oyster Bar in Whitstable, Kent which he hopes to offer as a special one day!) Can anyone tell me about 'American Style' nails, please!? Painted by Sharon Stroud |
SECONDHAND BOOKS LP20 on PATELEY BRIDGE
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The colourway here gives this secondhand bookshop a nice fresh look. But I imagine its smells very musty inside. Paper, cloth and leather are all organic materials - and they do decompose. I once spoke to a lady who worked for the Antiquarian Book section of Bonhams Auction House who claimed she went home each night smelling worse that a fishwife! The cat in the window seems happy enough... Painted by Carol (Catwoman) Whaley |
ALI BABA LP20 on SIDMOUTH
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Those of us who participated in the eGroup Cyber Signing in February already known that Hazle is The Queen of Sheba... at least as far as painting oriental carpets! Hazle always dreamed of painting magic mats - and now there's no stopping her! She painstakingly copies the unique pattern on each rug from an authentic design, researched on the internet. The painting of the building and the windows really complement each other to form a pleasing whole, totally in accord with the theme. (I am told that the colours were specified by Lesley.) Painted by Hazle Boyles |
THE MUSTARD SHOP LP20 on SEAFORD
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At the Woburn Signing we had THE MUSTARD POT and this is its alter ego. They were developed by Doreen Bright and Hazle liked them both. This one sells cheeses too. The shop front has a lovely green and black marble effect. Painted by Doreen Bright |
The Event
Around thirty of us gathered in the beautifully stocked walled gardens of Elsie Cottage in Churchend, a village just north of Great Dunmow in the rural area of NW Essex. The sun shone for most of the afternoon, occasionally covered by clouds.
It was evident that much planning had gone into the preparation of the barbecue and salads which were a real feast. Dessert comprised mounds of strawberries, lashings of cream and cheesecake, washed down with wines, beers and fruit squashes. The kettle was also constantly on the boil with tea and coffee on demand. Everyone ate with real cutlery, individually wrapped in pink linen napkins, off real china plates! But Len and Lesley managed to make it all look effortless.
When late in the afternoon the weather finally gave way, we all decamped to the equally delightful interior, where much laughter and camaraderie ensued. And endless cups of tea - which meant that I got to try out all three luxury loos!
As people got up to leave there were hugs all round, but as many of us re-encountered each other lingering in the interconnecting rooms, we had to do it all over again!
Signings don't come much better than this!
All thanks to Len and Lesley.
Elsie Cottage, a double-fronted late Victorian villa. The walled gardens are to the rear. To the front it enjoys views over a park.
Barbara Williamson from St Neots with Ron, Len & Lesley's local helper friend.
Barbara, Hazle and Hilary Vaughan with her husband.
Brian and Joan Hooker with Stephen Richardson, a Director of Hazle Ceramics.
Marilyn talks to Paul Brett, husband of painter and club secretary Judy and vicar of Shenfield, Essex. Günther proposes a toast!
Barbara again, with Carol Edwards from Rickmansworth.
Barry and Shirley Davies from Norwich.
Hazle with Günther, who travelled all the way from Vienna, stopping over in London. We think Alan Williamson is taking the photo on the right.
Phillip Hastings - about to set off on a three month tour of his native South Africa with wife Anne, whom we did not capture on camera.
A trio of American ladies, including Carole Rush and her daughter who are about to move back to Georgia from Cobham.
Terry and Hazel (spelt the other way!) Craig (no relation to us!) from West Byfleet in Surrey.
Günther and Hazle.
The stragglers left at the end... Joyce and Brian Jessop from Tring on the left at the back, Hazle and Len, Lesley and Marilyn. Stephen and Günther sit at the front.
Apologies to all those who didn't make it into our photos, including Anne Hastings, Alan Williamson, Judy Brett, helper Sally and of course Chris!