Betjeman and Needlepoint
Somehow I don't think Sir John Betjeman would mind my speaking of him here in the same breath used to praise needlepoint by my mother. He seems to be one of those down to earth poets who revel in the beauty of everyday. I am so enjoying reading a collection of his poetry, as well as his book In Praise of Churches. At the same time, I am having the needlepoint given to me by my extraordinarily gifted mother completed (one by one) as pillows to pile on my most beloved piece of furniture ... an old Irish settle given to me by my parents ... straight from an Irish crofter's cottage. Do read Betjeman if you get a chance (Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows).He is a delight.
Across the wet November night ... The church is bright with candlelight ... And waiting Evensong. A single bell with plaintive strokes ... Pleads louder than the stirring oaks ... The leafless lanes along. It calls the choirboys from their tea ... And villagers, the two or three, ... Damp down the kitchen fire, ... Let out the cat, and up the lane ... Go paddling through the gentle rain ... Of misty Oxfordshire.
The settle is so beautiful, and what a story behind it. The pillows are perfect - beautiful and made with love. And I'm a Betjeman fan too. I have his Betjeman's Cornwall that I bought because we were heading there for our daughter's high school graduation trip. Sadly we never went because it was the year of foot and mouth. I also have Trains and Buttered Toast to read. Isn't that the best name? I remember seeing some little television short pieces of him that I just loved. His daughter writes a column for The Oldie magazine called Unwrecked England.
Posted by: Nan | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Those needlepoint pillows are fabulous, may you have lots of joy in their company!
"Evensong", isn't that one of the most beautiful words ever? I have such fond memories of going to Sunday mass in Rome at 7.30pm during the hot summer month. There was no organ playing, but the congregation sang an evensong together. The little church at the edge of Piazza San Silvestro is closed now, sadly.
Posted by: Vienna for Beginners | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Like your mother I am a great Elizabeth Bradley fan and have sewn several. Her designs are a delight. Your settle displays them beautifully and vica versa. Thank you so much for the links to J.B.
Posted by: Claire | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 05:53 AM
Mmm, very lovely, covetable settle...and perfect for those cushions.
I do love Betjeman, some people get so snobby about him, but he wrote some of the most moving poetry of the century, very British, and so gently tongue in cheek sometimes that you don't realise you are crying as you read him...
Posted by: PG | Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 03:52 AM
Betjeman and needlepoint is a perfect combination!
Posted by: Cornflower | Monday, March 10, 2008 at 06:42 AM
Among his other achievements Betjeman was responsible for the campaign which saved St.Pancras from demolition. There is a wonderful statue beside the platforms which was commissioned to recognise this contribution. Embedded in the platform are beautifully carved extracts from his poetry. The statue was unveiled by his daughter, Candida Lycett Green, with the current Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion, and I know that she was very moved by the way it has captured the energy of her father's enthusiasm.
Posted by: Alice C | Monday, March 10, 2008 at 01:18 AM
Well, thank you for blowing the cobwebs out; Betjeman! Great photo.
Posted by: tut-tut | Sunday, March 09, 2008 at 01:50 PM
Lovely pillows and lovely poetry. I haven't heard of him before but I love what you shared.
Posted by: Linda | Saturday, March 08, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Betjeman really is a well loved national icon here. Love your Irish Settle, what a wonderful teasure to own and your Mother's needlepoint will make it so much more especial. Beautiful.
Thanks for the comment asking if things are okay, everything is fine here, time just slipped away from me this week.
Posted by: carolyn | Saturday, March 08, 2008 at 06:52 AM
Your Irish settle is lovely, perfect for the needlepoint cushions your mother is making you, will you be getting more? I confess to knowing very little poetry and little about John Betjeman, although I did watch a TV programme to mark his centenary 'Betjeman and me' which included much about his time spent down in Cornwall. I didn't know there was a website dedicated to him, very handy to make a purchase of one of his books. x
Posted by: Louise | Saturday, March 08, 2008 at 12:24 AM
I love his poetry too.
Thank you for reminding me of his beautiful words.
Posted by: mary | Friday, March 07, 2008 at 01:30 PM