In late 2018, after a few trials and tribulations, work began on building our studio extension onto the two-room eighteenth century Church Cottage. This extra space has enabled us to broaden our residencies criteria to include artists and makers.
Funded by Arts Council England (£37,000) capital grant
Architects: Elliot Goodall of Spicer Studios, 7, Mansell Street, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6NR
Builder: Andrew Petch, 8, Meon Road, Mickleton, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire GL55 6TD
May 2015: Paul prepares
Paul runs the Prague Marathon
Planning approved
Planning approved
Planning approved
November 2018, Andrew and Dave arrive
The site is cleared
Old garden gate in the skip
Pete repairs and paints the gable end
Weather is terrible
Dave gets going on the digger
Foundation trenches are dug
Dave measures the depths
Concrete lorry arrives after dark
Pouring the concrete
The foundation trenches fill up
Dave and Andrew do something difficult
The footings are laid
Dave gets building
Walls get higher
Elliot the architect arrives
And is worried
The trustees arrive and hope for the best
The drains give concern
Duck Lane is a mess
Folding glass doors arrive
Are installed
Pete paints the interior
Zinc roof is installed
And completed
Sink unit is installed
Andrew tiles the floor
Cleans it before snagging off
Mary Jane Baxter, 100th writer, arrives 8th February 2019
4th May Opening Day
The Square fills with visitors
Gather around red carpet
Dame Joan Bakewell greets everyone
Joan and Sarah undo the 100 bows
Mary Jane and Joan celebrate the Studio opening
A Room of One’s Own
August 2019: Maggie Gee