16 Comments

A lovely piece Andrew and it called to mind, 'The Hardy Tree' in St. Pancras Old Church cemetery. You probably know of its creation by Thomas Hardy when a young architect after he was tasked to move gravestones to make way for the railway. He couldn't bear to scrap them so 'planted' them around a tree that has now grown to embrace them.

Expand full comment
author

I didn’t know that story Harry but have just read that the tree sadly fell down last December.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-64110086

Expand full comment

Oh such a shame. I enjoyed my visit to the graveyard as it is also home to Mary Wollstonecraft's grave and by all accounts her husband taught their daughter, who would become Mary Shelley, to write by tracing her finger on the lettering of her mother's gravestone. It also has a mausoleum that is supposed to have inspired Giles Gilbert Scott's design of the distinctive red telephone box. On another matter the Chris Killip retrospective blew me away. I'll write something of it but the saddest news is the impending closure of the Side Gallery because of rising costs. Seems grim irony given Chris' capture of a 70s declining northeast.

Expand full comment
author

I shall add a visit to the graveyard to my London list. I’d like to see the mausoleum which inspired Giles Gilbert Scott. I’m pleased that the Killip retrospective resonated. I thought it might. Sad news about the Side Gallery. I have never visited but it I know it plays a very important part in the UK’s photographic history. I would like to have visited a number of exhibitions there. Including the current one. Marc Wilson’s book, which accompanies the exhibition, is one if the most profoundly moving photo books I have.

Expand full comment

I'd hoped to visit before the closure but alas. At least their fundraising for reopening is going well - halfway to the target already 👍

Expand full comment

"slowly being returned to the earth, as we all will one day" ... poignant, beautiful crafted words. Fascinating post, Andrew. Well worth bunking off for!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you Barrie. Aaah burning off - the benefits of being self-employed…

Expand full comment

Mrs F normally finds me bunking off, sat on a bale fiddling about in Substack! I should write about it! Have you read 'Islands of Abandonment' by Cal Flyn ... I think you would really enjoy it.

Expand full comment
author

You should write about! Are you sure Mrs F isn't bunking off too? I received the latest Potager letter earlier and look forward to reading it when I have a few minutes bunk-off time later this morning.

I haven't read 'Islands of Abandonment'. I have bookmarked it. Thanks for the tip.

Expand full comment

The pleasures of walking with a camera — Cheers, Andrew!

Expand full comment
author

Indeed!

Expand full comment

A lovely walk

Expand full comment
author

It certainly was!

Expand full comment

A great, poignant post — many thanks Andrew.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you Paddy.

Expand full comment
deletedApr 7, 2023·edited Apr 7, 2023Liked by Andrew Eberlin
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
author

Beautifully said Tracey. Thank you.

Expand full comment