My Mum and Dad were folk dancers!  Morris and many forms of serious country dance were discussed, toyed over, practised and performed on a weekly basis. Just a few months before my elderly Mum died, I remember her drawing out 'moves' on paper in preparation for an...

I was so happy to eventually get a date fixed to visit my best friend who volunteers at Compton Verney Art Gallery. She had told me about two exhibitions that would really tickle my fancy...  and I really didn't want to miss out! This exhibition is described as a...

During Ying Yangs talk about the restoration of Louise de Keroualle by Sir Godfrey Kneller we learnt a little bit about how colours for paints were made and used in the 17th century. One such colour was smalt - a ground blue potassium glass containing cobalt used...

Those of you who use Instagram may have seen some posts recently about the restoration of important works of art at Goodwood House. Well-known conservator Ying Yang has been working meticulously over the winter months to restore the vibrancy of paintings by artists...

Have you ever wondered why the pub on the A286 at West Dean, north of Chichester is called the Selsey Arms? It is really quite a long way from the small town of Selsey located on the southern most tip of the Manhood Peninsula. My previous post told the early story of...

How is it possible that these wall paintings still exist? They are 900 years old! I visited a few months ago when we were semi out of lockdown. How many thousands of us will have looked up to these figures - admired them and taken interest in the stories they...

Isn't this a magnificent memorial! Sadly only the top half remains! You can see it in the church of St Andrew at West Dean. It is a reminder of the Lewknor family who purchased the Manor of West Dean in 1588. They held it until 1706 when, through marriage, it passed...

Just after Christmas we went for a walk through Burton Park near Duncton. The delightful little church looks a little incongruous next to the early 19th century mansion, but this can easily be overlooked as the park setting is simply stunning! I wish I had read up...

Today, the 16th June is Sussex Day and we celebrate this with the martlet flag flying throughout our beautiful little corner of the world! So what are we celebrating? And why today? And what is a martlet? Though many like to disagree, we have actually been divided...