'Blake' takes to the stage

An Evening with William and Catherine Blake was presented by local author Beryl Kingston about the period 1800-1803.

These were the years in which poet, artist and visionary William Blake spent in the village during which he famously wrote the words to Jerusalem.

Mrs Kingston used the inspiration of her book, The Gates of Paradise, to paint a vivid picture of village life at the turn of the 19th century as she introduced the audience at St Mary's Centre to a few of the local characters of the period.

The cameo parts were skilfully played in costume by John and Elizabeth Godfrey. They became not only the Blakes but also seamlessly alternated between a host of others from the time.

These included Blake's patron and wealthy landowner, William Hayley, the aristocratic Lady Hesketh, Private Scolfield, with whom Blake was involved in a fracas which led to his arrest, and the Duke of Richmond, the judge at the resulting trial.

An audience of about 70 people were welcomed to St Mary's Centre for the evening by Father Timothy Peskett, the rector at St Mary's Church.

The occasion brought in 400 for the fund for a stained glass window in the church to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Blake's birth.

About 8,000 '“ more than half the window's cost '“ has been raised through donations and fundraising events.

Further events are planned during the year for the window and a memorial Angel Garden at the centre. The culmination of the efforts will be a gala concert in the church on November 30, close to Blake's birthday.