Tag: Art

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The Barrister in Wonderland

A large red ‘pocket’ watch draped in ivy is set at a jaunty angle from the top shelf

A new member of the Barrister family

The new ‘Barrister in Wonderland’ is the latest arrival to the Barrister’s Book Chamber family https://barristersbookchamber.com.  It is entirely dedicated to children’s books all stocked in the new, cosy premises.  You will find it in rural North Notts https://www.northnotts.co.uk/.  But this is not your average high street shop. This member of the family-run business only sells books for kids -in a very imaginative way. ‘The Barrister in Wonderland’ sits on a busy thoroughfare.  It is bright, fun and instantly welcoming.  The perfect place to get lost with a new find.

The striking shop from of the new book shop in town, black and gold with an Alice in Wonderland tea party themed window display
The Barrister in Wonderland, a children’s books shop with a difference

So many children’s books

The ‘Barrister in Wonderland’ is at 66 Carol Gate in the heart of the historic market town of Retford.  As you might guess from its name, it reflects the classic story.  It is an adventure inside and out. This is an independent bookshop that specialises in only children’s books.  It aims to appeal to inquisitive minds.

Rows and rows of story books completely cover one wall
Story books galore

My own secret hiding place

The ‘Barrister’s Book Chamber’ itself arrived on the Retford high street eighteen months ago.  However, since then I have taken many friends and family to visit this ‘book shop with a tea shop’.  It is my ‘meeting place’ of choice.  There are nooks and crannies in which to get cosy with a cup of tea and a piece of cake… the cakes, well that’s a whole blog on its own!  So, I was very eager to meet the newest addition to the Barrister family.

Pink flamingos and strategically placed books making a striking display
The Alice in Wonderland tea party themed window

A real delight

This little gem is full of fun artwork, it covers every available surface.  A tea party is the centre of the window display… and also on the ceiling inside!  It is a sight to behold.  Children of all ages will be completely entranced.  There is even a ‘grassy’ area for kids to sit and sample new stories.  See if you can find the White Rabbit disappearing into a hole with his pocket watch.  I promise he is there but not quite where you might expect to find him.

A blue chair and a red table set for tea are secured upside down to the ceiling
A tea party on the ceiling!

 

Story book wall

An entire wall is filled with story books, both new and second-hand.  There is a ‘Young Reader’ section too with easy to find books all sorted alphabetically by author.  Board books for tinies for as little as £1.  Arranged around the counter are vintage and classic story books and annuals.  Then there is a reference or non-fiction section with history, science, maths, cookery, crafts… and of course, a teen fiction section.

An elaborate mirror, decorated with blue butterflies adds a very ‘Wonderland’ dimension to the shop
An elaborate mirror decorated with butterflies adds a different dimension to the shop

Souvenirs of the visit

Unique book-marks, page markers, story blocks and lots more can be purchased at pocket-money prices.  A nice reminder of a visit to a very special little book shop.

A tiny fairy door behind which is another fairy door - lit and decorated. It’s low down near the floor, easily accessible for little fingers
A tiny fairy door behind which is another fairy door – lit and decorated. It’s low down near the floor, easily accessible for little fingers

Open to suggestions

The ‘Barrister in Wonderland’ is a children’s bookshop with a difference.  The staff loves kids and kids’ books.  The manager, Laura, is keen to form relationships with local schools.  She would like to hear what her visitors want and will be led by them.  Events will be very much driven by what her customers want.

Shelves of books for Young Readers
The Young Readers section

Inspiration for young minds

This bookshop is completely child-friendly and is bound to inspire and entertain young readers.  It is jam-packed with brilliant characters, tall tales and wonderful stories.  The perfect place to get lost together in a book.

A full size chair and small chair with a table by the fire on a grassy patch
Take a seat by the fire to settle down with a good book

Something for every child

There are bright displays to entice young readers to choose their next read, from board books for babies, to thrillers for teens.  As a result there’s an eclectic collection with something for every child.

A large red ‘pocket’ watch draped in ivy is set at a jaunty angle from the top shelf
A very Wonderland clock

Bookish décor

The ‘Barrister in Wonderland’ is home to some of the cleverest, bookish decor you’ve ever seen.  It is easy to navigate and there’s plenty of space to browse.  Kids will love to explore the shelves and hand-pick their new favourite character.

A six foot high, higgledy-piggledy, stack of books are formed into in archway at the entrance of the shop
A higgledy-piggledy stack of books makes the perfect entrance into the shop

A comprehensive selection

This is a treasure trove of children’s books.  A boutique that has almost every genre of book to inspire young ones to dive into a story.  The in-the-know booksellers are eager to recommend the perfect story, which is sure to encourage a love of reading – in even the most reluctant of readers.

A box contains brown-paper wrapped books a cryptic message on the front, a pot luck blind date with a book
A unique idea – blind date with a book

A veritable treasure trove

This magical emporium is full of second-hand and new wares.  Vintage finds and treasures just waiting to be discovered.  It is exactly what it says above the door – a wonderland of books just for kids.  Perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in some classic and well-loved tales – at a pocket-money price!

Playing cards play an important role in the quirky decor
Quirky, Wonderland themed artwork

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can’t wait to see the look on the faces of my little ones when I take them to visit.  This is definitely something to do with the grandkids  https://thegrandparenthub.com/ when you visit North Notts https://www.innorthnotts.co.uk/

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Coffee and Cake with Tracey Whitefoot, Photographer

A lavender field in France, row upon row of lavender plants in flower. The composition is symmetrical, with a lone tree on the mid-point of the horizon of the field. Taken by Tracey Whitefoot.

A stunning image

On my morning scroll-through Linkedin, a contact of mine, Susan Hallam of Hallam Internet, https://www.hallaminternet.com/ had posted an image that stopped me in my tracks.  It was a simple image taken in my home town, Nottingham.  It was predominantly the ‘Council House’, only slightly obscured by some Fothergill Watson architecture, which I visualised to be at the bottom of King Street.  

This is the image that stopped me in my tracks. My home city as I have never seen it before. Nottingham in all its glory, taken by Tracey Whitefoot.
This is the image that stopped me in my tracks, beautiful Nottingham, taken by Tracey Whitefoot

My home town

I could almost be on a vantage point looking down into the city-centre, perhaps on the roof of the Royal Concert Hall? At least that’s how it made me feel.  This image could have been taken anywhere in the world:  Istanbul, Prague, Bruges but no, it was Nottingham.  And how stunningly beautiful it looked too.

A popular post

I don’t usually share images, or any old article about marketing that I come across but this was different; this shouted ‘share me!’  It wasn’t long before my screen lit up with notifications.  Almost 40 likes and over 1000 views in a very short space of time.

I commented on the post and within minutes the photographer, Tracey Whitefoot, had responded to thank me.  I also noticed that she had replied to every single comment both previously and since.  

This is Tracey Whitefoot. she is wearing a pink coat and is holding her camera. It is taken at the Victoria Embankment, Nottingham by Joseph Raynor.
Tracey Whitefoot, photographer.
Taken by Joseph Raynor.

I went to Tracey’s website http://tracey-whitefoot.squarespace.com  and was blown away with her architecture and landscape images.  I wondered if she would agree to a chat over coffee and cake, which I could feature on my blog.  She didn’t hesitate, need any persuasion or even baulk at the 60 mile round trip either. Coffee and cake then at the Barrister’s Book Chamber https://barristersbookchamber.com/ in Retford, north Nottinghamshire.

Two hours just flew by

I had no idea what to expect – neither of us knew the other!  I need not have worried.  Tracey was easy to talk to and to listen to… she was relaxed and generously shared her story and her time with me.  She has achieved so much – and she is on the cusp of more adventures and even greater things.  It was clear that this was going to be no ordinary chat but a fascinating, rollercoaster ride!  

This is an image of Newstead Abbey, bathed in early, frosty, morning light. Evocative and moody taken by Tracey Whitefoot.
Newstead Abbey, Nottinghamshire, the ancestral home of Lord Byron, taken by Tracey Whitefoot.

It started as just a hobby

Tracey is a Nottingham lass, born and brought up in Chilwell and currently living and working out of Carlton.  Most of her work – the bread and butter – is marketing and PR photography, quite a bit of it for both the city and county councils and community-based stuff with colleges, theatres and the local press.  It had always been Tracey’s hobby and she had already made the decision to take up photography professionally but an opportunity came through a colleague .  She was pushed to get out and take some pictures for someone that her friend thought would be a good contact.  It worked and she began to get paid photography work.

Anything that came in after that, if she didn’t have the skill level required, she would do lots of prep and dummy runs the day before!

An image of white tulips taken from an unusual angle. Looking into the sky from the base of the flowers. The light plays an import part in this picture taken by Tracey Whitefoot.
Tulips and light by Tracey Whitefoot’s

Around the world

Tracey went to Australia for the first time in 1998 and worked as a ‘Jillaroo’ on a cattle station.  After which, much of her early career was spent in sales and then after selling the house she returned to Australia in 2004/2005.  She has been all over the world with her camera.  She has no formal training although she did think about it briefly but she was doing quite well enough without it.

I had questions prepared that I thought I should ask but they somehow seemed to be irrelevant.  Like, ‘which photographers does she admire?’  She says that she has great respect for her peers and other female photographers making a living as a professional – like Birmingham-based Verity Milligan and Lincolnshire-born, wildlife photographer Chris Weston, who was a great help when Tracey started out, his books helped her with a lot of the technical aspects of photography. 

The million dollar question

And then, ‘what makes a good picture?’  Her answer, I now see, is staggeringly obvious; ‘the light’ was her response.  This is what makes her get up so early in the morning, this is what motivates her.  It is clear in all her compositions and landscapes that this is the most important thing to her – the light!  Sunrises, shadows, sunsets and shafts of light.  She will go to any lengths for the right light to get the shot that she wants… and it shows.  Visit her website and see for yourself!  ‘The light’ is her motivation.  It doesn’t really matter where, as long as the light is right.

Prolific and vibrant images

If today is stressful then treat yourself to a few moments of calm… look at Tracey’s images on http://Www.alamy.com search for lavender and you will be immediately transported to the lavender fields in France.  You can almost smell the perfume!

A lavender field in France, row upon row of lavender plants in flower. The image is symmetrical, with a lone tree on the mid-point of the horizon of the field and of course, the light. Taken by Tracey Whitefoot.
French lavender and of course, the light, taken by Tracey Whitefoot.

Tracey’s enthusiasm and love of light and life are contagious, she has a real energy.  She says she’s ‘bonkers’, I say she’s a genius!

The next big thing

Her next adventure in search of light will take her to Everest basecamp in 2020.  I for one, can’t wait to see the what she captures there. But then I hope she soon returns to Nottinghamshire’s best kept secret that is Pilgrim Country, perhaps she will find light here too.

If it’s enthusiasm, energy… and light you want, talk to Tracey.

You can buy Tracey’s work to hang on your wall too, it will inspire you.  Please visit her website, you will not be disappointed http://tracey-whitefoot.squarespace.com

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The Book Club

The original Barrister’s Book Chamber

A new book shop opened in town just before Christmas last year ‘The Barrister’s Bookchamber’ https://barristersbookchamber.com/   This shop has a very interesting, unique and Dickensian style.  It sells all kinds of books: antique, vintage, used, old, secondhand, paperbacks, hardbacks, fact and fiction in fact you name it and they probably have a copy of it… yes, even ‘Fly Fishing’ by J R Hartley.

The shop is Angela Rowntree’s baby, a barrister herself, who wanted to recreate the feel of a genuine Victorian barrister’s chamber just like her own used to be.  

The opening of the new establishment was a Dickensian affair too with Ebenezer Scrooge ‘greeting’ the constant stream of intrigued townsfolk.  All books very reasonably priced so a purchase had to be made.  I knew my son would love the very old and battered copy of ‘A Christmas Carol’.

Ebenezer Scrooge at the opening of the original book shop

The look of the shop has been very thoughtfully put together and the atmosphere is cosy, warm and inviting – particularly as it has a tea room which sells the most amazing cakes.  The urge to sit a while to stay and read is irresistible.

A search on Facebook found their page and very quickly the Bookchamber was posting about writing and poetry workshops, children’s book-themed parties, as well as guest author events and eventually the announcement that the Barrister’s Bookchamber was to start its own Book Club.  First meeting to be held early in the New Year. Was I interested? Yes, I was.

An all-female group (although a man has subsequently joined us) turned up from diverse backgrounds and with varied tastes in literature.  Introductions over, the first book was chosen ‘The Collector’ by John Fowles.  I think it would be safe to say that the following month, the group was fairly evenly split on their appraisal of the book, it was a bit – Marmite!  We have just had our August meeting to discuss ‘1984’ by George Orwell – it turned into a lively, political debate with some incredible insights and comparisons.  In between we have read Oscar Wilde, Gail Honeyman, Clare Douglas, Fiona Barton and Marian Keyes – an eclectic selection.  I think the only book we have unanimously enjoyed together is ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’ by Gail Honeyman, which seems to be every book club’s read of the moment.

It was as we discussed the latter that I came clean and confessed that I had not actually read the book but that I  had listened to it on ‘Audible’ https://www.audible.co.uk/ Audible is a guilty pleasure of mine, it means I can ‘get lost’ without having to sit down or go to bed!  I can walk for miles, do the ironing, clean the bathroom, cook, bake – enjoy two pleasures at the same time!  I had expected hands to be thrown up in horror but they weren’t, in fact it was no big deal.  Don’t misunderstand me, I do love ‘actual books’ and I do read ‘actual books’ but ever since childhood, I have loved being read to and enjoy just… listening.

The Book Club has introduced me to new people, new books, new views and even new friends… and a shop full of amazing books, which I can either listen to or read.

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A Snapshot in Time

This image keeps popping back into my head even though I took it well over a year ago.

We were on a camping trip with my son, Luke and his family to Clapton-on-the-Hill, Gloucestershire.  The campsite, owned and run by an elderly lady, was dominated along one side by a big, old, dark brown barn.  Some of the slats were slipping,  leaving just enough space for an iPhone to take aim.  It was late evening, the sun was sinking and a blackbird sang.  It was as though each object in the barn had been specifically placed in order to create this composition. 

A look through a peephole into an old barn

I can tell you know more, it is just a snapshot in time.  Another moment to savour, it reminded me of:

Adlestrop  by Edward Thomas (about a Gloucestershire village station):

Yes. I remember Adlestrop

The name, because one afternoon

Of heat, the express-train drew up there

Unwontedly. It was late June.

The steam hissed. Someone cleared his throat.

No one left and no one came

On the bare platform. What I saw

Was Adlestrop—only the name

And willows, willow-herb, and grass,

And meadowsweet, and haycocks dry,

No whit less still and lonely fair

Than the high cloudlets in the sky.

And for that minute a blackbird sang

Close by, and round him, mistier,

Farther and farther, all the birds

Of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.

 

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The Traquair Murals (the what Murals?)

Fancy that!

There is ‘brown road sign’ local to us pointing towards ‘The Traquair Murals’ – and as I have only lived in the area a relatively short time, my thoughts were ‘the what murals?’  How on earth is it that pronounced?  Well, through sneaky research I have it on good authority that it is pronounced ‘Trakwair’ and… what are they?  Here is everything you ever wanted to know about the hidden gem of the Nottinghamshire countryside that is the ‘Traquair Murals’:

Phoebe Traquair was born Phoebe Anna Moss on 24 May 1852 in Kiltern, County Dublin, Ireland.  Her parents were Dr William Moss and Teresa Moss (née Richardson). Phoebe was the sixth of their seven children.  She studied art at the School of Design at the Royal Dublin Society between 1869 and 1872 and married the Scottish palaeontologist Ramsay Heatley Traquair on 5 June 1873.  They had three children: Ramsay, Harry and Hilda.

Phoebe’s elder brother was William Richardson Moss, a keen art collector who owned a number of works by Dante Gabriel Rossetti who founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, she shared her brother’s love of art, including a particular fascination with the work of Rossetti and that of William Blake.  Her style and choice of subject matter remained deeply influenced by Blake and Rossetti’s art and poetry throughout her life.

So what has Phoebe got to do with a sleepy little village in North Nottinghamshire?

St Peter’s Church in Clayworth (link: http://www.stpetersclayworth.org) is home to one of only two similar artworks outside of Scotland.  These particular murals are the largest works of art in the East of England and were created by Phoebe Traquair in 1905.  And they have to be seen to be believed… vibrant, rich colours that bring the centuries-old, grey, stone walls of the village church to life.  Phoebe’s earlier Pre-Raphaelite and Arts and Crafts influences can clearly be seen in this unique, peaceful environment.

On a silver tablet are the words: ‘To the glory of God as a thank offering for the safe return from the Boer War 1899 -1902 of her beloved son Captain Joseph Frederick Laycock DSO, who being at that time a Major in the Sherwood Rangers Imperial Yeomanry, served on the staff of General Sir John French KCB, this chancel has been decorated in deep gratitude, by his mother Lady D’Arcy Godolphin Osborne,’

I strongly recommend a visit to the church to see this work of art but put on your walking boots and take the opportunity to walk down the lane opposite the church to Otter’s Bridge, walk over the bridge, taking in the views of open-countryside then turn left and follow the canal tow-path to the next bridge.  Leave the canal at this point (unless you want a good 6 mile ramble into Retford) turn left again and follow the road back to the church.  Take this opportunity to call in at either the Brewer’s Arms (link: http://www.brewersarmsclayworth.co.uk) or The Blacksmiths (link: http://www.blacksmithsclayworth.com) for a refresher.  After which, continue back up the road to St Peter’s Church to complete the circuit.  It won’t take long – an afternoon should do it.  If you haven’t seen the Traquair Murals then put it on your to do list.  You won’t regret it, an afternoon well spent.