Latest news with #DodieSmith
Irish Examiner
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Books are my business: Illustrator and author Margaret Anne Suggs
Margaret Anne Suggs is an illustrator and author. Her book, The Dandelion's Tale – An Allegory of Migration (Graffeg), was nominated for the 2025 Yoto Carnegie Medal in illustration. Originally from the US, she lives in Portmarnock, Co Dublin. She lectures at Ballyfermot College of Further Education, where she founded the illustration course, and is also director of Illustrators Ireland. How did you get into illustration? I just always wanted to draw. I was diagnosed with ADHD as a child in America, and my mom carried around colours and pens and pages in her bag the whole time and would get me to draw something to keep me occupied. So I always knew that I wanted to make pictures. I really liked that there was a story behind the pictures. I did a Bachelor of Fine Art in the US and then, the easiest way to live abroad was as a student, so I came to Ireland and did a masters at the National College of Art and Design. What does your job involve? I taught full-time until I realised I was teaching my students to do what I should be doing myself. So now, three days a week, I'm here in the studio at home. I guess it's like anybody else, I get up, coffee is first, and then I answer any pressing emails. I can't focus on one project for very long, so I try to have about three going at the same time. The teaching really suits me, because I can weave that in as there's more planning for that. I'm happier when I'm quite busy with a few different things. What do you like most about what you do? I like working with my hands. I think that would be the difference between me and a lot of illustrators. I don't work digitally. I'm still working with what's here on my desk, coloured pencils, paints, it's like sketching on paper. I'm still really traditional and hands on. I do a bit of digital clean-up, but that's the stuff that I put off to the very last because I don't enjoy it. What do you like least about it? Finishing a project. I rework and rework and change it up, and then I'm forced to finish something because of a deadline. I would never finish anything if there wasn't a deadline, I would just keep going. Three desert island books My first one would be I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. It's such a beautiful coming-of-age story and so wacky, and maybe there's a bit of the American coming to a new culture as well. It is a book that I've always wanted to illustrate. So that's my dream, some day. The next one is my very favourite children's book, Andrew Henry's Meadow by Doris Burn. It's a kind of old-fashioned, black and white story, about this little fella who doesn't feel appreciated by his family, so he moves to a meadow and starts his own village. People find out what he's done, and they're like, 'oh, would you build me a house?' So he starts building houses for loads of the neighbourhood kids. It's magic how they think they can manage on their own, and then they all go home. I guess the message is if you don't like your life, change it. My final choice would be a sketchbook because if I'm on a desert island by myself, I need to be able to draw, that's what I love doing. So I would take an empty sketchbook and fill it up with drawings and my own bits and pieces. Robin & Pip by Margaret Anne Suggs, published by Graffeg, is out now Read More Saturday with Leona Forde: We are spoiled rotten with the phenomenal writers we have here
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
101 reasons why this family are delighted to be living in this historic house
In the latest of our series on notable figures who called the borough home, Neil Brandwood discovers a writer whose work became a Disney classic. Cruella de Vil would no doubt be appalled that there's a dog grooming parlour and a dog well-being shop in close proximity to her creator's house, but Anya and Vivian Spencer couldn't be more delighted. The couple had no idea the Whitefield house they are renting was the first home of Dodie Smith – the author who wrote The Hundred and One Dalmatians. Born in 1896, she spent the first two years of her life living at 118 (since renumbered 167) Bury New Road. The large, four-bedroomed house still has the original stone pillars at the gateway, engraved with the house's name, Stoneycroft. The Bury New Road house where Dodie Smith was born (Image: Newsquest) The original house name can still be seen on the gate post (Image: Newsquest) It's doubtful whether all those children passing by on their way to nearby Higher Lane Primary School have any idea of the link to the classic children's book. Handsome though the house is, Dodie was not impressed. Writing in her autobiography, she said: 'When I was about 10, I was driven past my birthplace and found it to be the most insignificant of semi-detached villas.' She wrote The Hundred and One Dalmatians in 1956, and it was adapted into an animated film in1961, and a live action version starring Glenn Close in 1996. Dodie was born in the house on May 3, the only child of Ernest and Ella Smith. Ernest was a bank manager but died in 1898 when Dodie was just two. Following his death, she and her mother went to live with her grandparents in Old Trafford. 'We didn't know she lived in this house,' said a delighted Anya Spencer, 42, who has been renting number 118 with her husband, Vivian, 42, for the last five years. 'It's fabulous! I'm sentimental so I just love it!' The couple were even more delighted to break the exciting news to their nine-year-old twin daughters, Ella and Eden. 'They love reading and The Hundred and One Dalmatians is one of their favourite books. When we told them Dodie lived here they were so excited.' Newsquest (Image: Newsquest) Ella (left) and Eden enjoy one of their favourite books (Image: Newsquest) Dodie's, whose real name was Dorothy, began writing the book in 1953 when she returned to London after living in America. A dog lover, she kept dalmatians—at one point owning 17. The family watching Disney's adaptation of Dodie Smith's book (Image: Newsquest)READ NEXT > Cat charity facing closure shares emotional plea following £17k bill READ NEXT > NHS waiting times revealed as borough trust falls under target Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to the Bury Times morning newsletter as well as our breaking news alerts Her first, named Pongo, inspired the book's hero. The idea came when a friend joked that her dogs would make a beautiful fur coat - sparking the story's creation. She died on November 24, 1990, but achieved literary immortality thanks to her book about canine capers and one of the greatest villains of all time.
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
The ancient market town in the UK that inspired a Disney classic
It's also home to a kid-friendly National Trust property SWEET SUFFOLK The ancient market town in the UK that inspired a Disney classic Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUDBURY is a charming ancient town in Suffolk that people may not realise was the inspiration for a hit Disney film. Locations in Sudbury, like the drinking fountain and horse trough by St Peter's Church featured in 101 Dalmatians - because the author lived nearby. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The charming town of Sudbury inspired a Disney classic Credit: Alamy 5 The old drinking fountain in Market Hill featured in 101 Dalmatians Credit: Alamy Dodie Smith, who was famous for writing the Disney classic 101 Dalmatians, spent her adult life living in the Essex village of Finchingfield. As a result, she used to regularly visit Sudbury, which was half an hour away, to do her shopping. Parts of Sudbury was used for the setting of the classic children's story, including the drinking fountain and horse trough by St Peter's Church. It is mentioned as the place where Pongo and Perdita stop to have a drink while trying to track down the lost puppies. The town is even named in the book, it reads: "Just before midnight they came to the market town of Sudbury. Pongo paused as they crossed the bridge over the River Stour." Walt Disney visited Dodie at her home in Finchingfield called The Barretts. It's rumoured the Grade II listed Georgian manor Greys Hall, in the nearby village of Sible Hedingham, was the inspiration for Cruella de Vil's home. 101 Dalmatians is honoured in The Talbot Trail - which is a series of 14 statues around Sudbury. The trail depicts the town's history, other statues include the town gaol. On Gaol Lane is the statue that was the gateway to Sudbury Court where prisoners were locked up to await trial. Suffolk weekend with the kids 5 Sudbury has its own trail to honour events through the town's history Credit: Alamy 5 The Children's Country House is a National Trust fun house for kids Credit: Alamy There's also 'The Running Boy' which tells the story of James Bigmore, a boy who ran alongside a coach, all the way from Sudbury to Norwich in six hours. Another is the fearsome Queen of the Iceni, Boudicea as well as the artist Thomas Gainsborough. Sudbury is also home to the National Trust property The Children's Country House. It re-opened after a big makeover in 2022 - with its property and gardens all aimed at entertaining kids Unlike most National Trust properties, children are encouraged to go wild, run around and touch everything with no roped-off areas. While features of the historic country home can still be enjoyed, the new wing includes everything from interactive displays to a dressing-up room. One British celeb lives in Suffolk – here are his favourite places to go from smallest pub in UK to beachside brewery. And why Southwold in Suffolk has more than enough for a weekend's exploring.
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The ancient market town in the UK that inspired a Disney classic
SUDBURY is a charming ancient town in Suffolk that people may not realise was the inspiration for a hit Disney film. Locations in Sudbury, like the drinking fountain and horse trough by St Peter's Church featured in 101 Dalmatians - because the author lived nearby. 5 5 Dodie Smith, who was famous for writing the Disney classic 101 Dalmatians, spent her adult life living in the Essex village of Finchingfield. As a result, she used to regularly visit Sudbury, which was half an hour away, to do her shopping. Parts of Sudbury was used for the setting of the classic children's story, including the drinking fountain and horse trough by St Peter's Church. It is mentioned as the place where Pongo and Perdita stop to have a drink while trying to track down the lost puppies. The town is even named in the book, it reads: "Just before midnight they came to the market town of Sudbury. Pongo paused as they crossed the bridge over the River Stour." Walt Disney visited Dodie at her home in Finchingfield called The Barretts. It's rumoured the Grade II listed Georgian manor Greys Hall, in the nearby village of Sible Hedingham, was the inspiration for Cruella de Vil's home. 101 Dalmatians is honoured in The Talbot Trail - which is a series of 14 statues around Sudbury. The trail depicts the town's history, other statues include the town gaol. On Gaol Lane is the statue that was the gateway to Sudbury Court where prisoners were locked up to await trial. 5 5 There's also 'The Running Boy' which tells the story of James Bigmore, a boy who ran alongside a coach, all the way from Sudbury to Norwich in six hours. Another is the fearsome Queen of the Iceni, Boudicea as well as the artist Thomas Gainsborough. Sudbury is also home to the National Trust property The Children's Country House. It re-opened after a big makeover in 2022 - with its property and gardens all aimed at entertaining kids Unlike most National Trust properties, children are encouraged to go wild, run around and touch everything with no roped-off areas. While features of the historic country home can still be enjoyed, the new wing includes everything from interactive displays to a dressing-up room. One British celeb lives in Suffolk – here are his favourite places to go from smallest pub in UK to beachside brewery. And why Southwold in Suffolk has more than enough for a weekend's exploring. 5
The Irish Sun
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
The ancient market town in the UK that inspired a Disney classic
SUDBURY is a charming ancient town in Suffolk that people may not realise was the inspiration for a hit Disney film. Locations in Sudbury, like the drinking fountain and horse trough by St Peter's Church featured in 5 The charming town of Sudbury inspired a Disney classic Credit: Alamy 5 The old drinking fountain in Market Hill featured in 101 Dalmatians Credit: Alamy Dodie Smith, who was famous for writing the Disney classic 101 Dalmatians, spent her adult life living in the Essex village of Finchingfield. As a result, she used to regularly visit Sudbury, which was half an hour away, to do her shopping. Parts of Sudbury was used for the setting of the classic children's story, including the drinking fountain and horse trough by St Peter's Church. It is mentioned as the place where Pongo and Perdita stop to have a drink while trying to track down the lost puppies. Read More on Suffolk The town is even named in the book, it reads: "Just before midnight they came to the market town of Sudbury. Pongo paused as they crossed the bridge over the Walt Disney visited Dodie at her home in Finchingfield called The Barretts. It's rumoured the Grade II listed Georgian manor Greys Hall, in the nearby village of Sible Hedingham, was the inspiration for Cruella de Vil's home. 101 Dalmatians is honoured in The Talbot Trail - which is a series of 14 statues around Sudbury. Most read in News Travel The trail depicts the town's history, other statues include the town gaol. On Gaol Lane is the statue that was the gateway to Sudbury Court where prisoners were locked up to await trial. Suffolk weekend with the kids 5 Sudbury has its own trail to honour events through the town's history Credit: Alamy 5 The Children's Country House is a National Trust fun house for kids Credit: Alamy There's also 'The Running Boy' which tells the story of James Bigmore, a boy who ran alongside a coach, all the way from Sudbury to Another is the fearsome Queen of the Iceni, Boudicea as well as the artist Thomas Gainsborough. Sudbury is also home to the National Trust property It re-opened after a big makeover in 2022 - with its property and gardens all aimed at entertaining kids Unlike most National Trust properties, children are encouraged to go wild, run around and touch everything with no roped-off areas. While features of the historic country home can still be enjoyed, the new wing includes everything from interactive displays to a dressing-up room. One British celeb And why Southwold in Suffolk has more than enough for a weekend's exploring. 5 Sudbury is a town in Suffolk that inspired a Disney classic Credit: Alamy
