Starting tomorrow, this coming week we will be continuing with William Blake transcriptions, Allen at Naropa in 1979, lecturing on Blake .
For today, we would like to draw your attention to a worthy Blakean cause (we’ve written about it before – here) – the salvage and restoration of William Blake’s Felpham cottage.
Camila Querino, of The Blake Cottage Trust, writes:
Blake’s Cottage in the village of Felpham on the West Sussex coast, is one of the most important buildings in English literary history, but it is in real danger being lost forever The poet, writer, artist, painter, musician visionary (and (Allen) Ginsberg’s guru), William Blake, lived in the cottage with his wife Catherine between 1800 and 1803 where he wrote the opening lines of Milton, used in the much-loved anthem Jerusalem, and also where he was accused of sedition, as a radical and non-conformist would. William Blake lived in nine houses during his lifetime and only two survive – the house in 17 South Molton Street in London and the cottage in Felpham…
The cottage was purchased by The Blake Cottage Trust in 2015, and major restoration work is on course to save the cottage’s structure. In July 2024, a “tin hat” was put up to prevent the thatched roof from collapsing. Next step is to replace beams and replace the old thatch. In September the new board of Trustees met in Felpham… Town planning is in place, Historic England is supportive, The Blake Cottage Trust’s master-builder is standing by but more funds are needed to continue the restoration. The Blake Cottage Trust is working hard to secure grants and donations to restore the cottage and create an inspirational location that celebrates the lives and works of William and Catherine and their enduring influence.
Every contribution will help to save the cottage and to transform it into a place of memory and vision.”
For more and to make donations – contact The Blake Cottage – here