Latest news with #WhistleDowntheWind
Telegraph
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The shy Briton that Hollywood's biggest stars flock to
Mary Newcomb (1922-2008) was a shy and self-effacing artist who spent most of her working life in the seclusion of rural East Anglia where her husband farmed. In 1970, she was discovered by the London dealer Andras Kalman, who staged her first exhibition at his gallery in smart, moneyed Knightsbridge. Kalman had an eye for art that blended sophistication and simplicity, typified by LS Lowry, and Ben and Winifred Nicholson, all personal friends whose work he sold to the rich and famous. In Newcomb's tender characterisation of farm animals, birds and bees, and in her humorous observations of country living, he found an artist who would appeal to his star-studded clientele. And in her work, they found an honest mix of truth and fantasy, a place of escape. Some of Kalman's best clients were in the film and theatre business, including directors Bryan Forbes (Kalman was a backer on the classic 1961 film Whistle Down the Wind, starring Hayley Mills) and Richard Attenborough. Many of these clients are known to have bought works by Lowry and Ben Nicholson, as well as Christopher Wood and Alfred Wallis, but less is known about who bought the Mary Newcombs. Last week, I visited an exhibition of her work at the Crane Kalman Gallery (Andras Kalman died in 2007, and it is now run by his son, Andrew) and encountered the Hollywood actress Jacqueline Bisset. Known for her appearances in films such as François Truffaut's Day for Night and Roman Polanski's Cul de Sac, these days Bisset lives in Los Angeles but also has a home near the Knightsbridge gallery and had lent a painting to the exhibition. 'Since about 1974, I have acquired 14 paintings and drawings by Mary Newcomb – it's like an addiction,' she told me. 'The work, with its lack of guile, goes straight to my heart. I find in Mary's work a place of peace, quiet and reflection as well as humour.' Looking through the Crane Kalman archives, it turns out that Bisset is not the only big name to have been persuaded by Newcomb's charms. Film stars Paul Newman, Julie Andrews and Rod Steiger, as well as Michael Parkinson and Cilla Black are among those who have bought her paintings. A recent disciple is Emma Thompson. Newcomb's paintings and drawings were never expensive – less than £100 in the early days and rising to £75,000 at her peak. Often compared to Winifred Nicholson, Newcomb's auction record (£32,500) lags far behind Nicholson's (£245,000), though in terms of a place in the hearts of Hollywood's finest, there is no question of who's on top.
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Incredible UK village frozen in time with no TV satellites or road signs
Downham, often hailed as the most beautiful village in Lancashire, lies at the foot of Pendle Hill, close to the thriving market town of Clitheroe and boasts unrivalled views As you enter the picturesque village of Downham in Lancashire, the first thing that captures your attention is the breath-taking, unspoiled views of the surrounding countryside. Then, as your eyes wander along the winding lanes, you'll notice something unusual — the charming stone cottages lack modern features like TV aerials, power lines, or satellite dishes. There are no road signs or markings here, and the village itself seems almost frozen in time, as if it's been untouched for centuries. This timeless quality is no accident. Downham is one of the few villages in the UK to have remained under the ownership of the same ancestral family for over 500 years. Often hailed as Lancashire's most beautiful village, Downham regularly attracts visitors who enjoy wandering through its picturesque lanes alongside a babbling brook, stopping at the local ice cream shop, or enjoying a tipple at the village pub. The Assheton family has owned the village for half a millennium, including the ancestral Downham Hall and the stunning 3,000 acres of rolling countryside that surround it. They've worked tirelessly to preserve the village, ensuring it remains as true to its roots as possible. They own all the properties in Downham, allowing them to keep modern developments out of sight and maintain the area's old-world charm. While the cottages do have electricity, power lines are cleverly hidden beneath the unmarked roads to preserve the historical aesthetic. The ancestral Downham Estate is currently managed by the Hon Ralph Assheton, with the family's residence, Downham Hall, standing as one of the village's most stunning properties. The Asshetons also have a policy of renting out local cottages to people who want to become part of the community, preventing second-home owners from leaving properties vacant for most of the year. Thanks to their commitment to preservation and the village's breathtaking location overlooking Pendle Hill, Downham has become a sought-after filming location for period dramas. The 1961 hit movie Whistle Down the Wind is one of the most notable productions filmed here. Michelle Brown, who runs the local ice cream shop and lives in the village with her family, shares her love for the area. "It's so unspoilt here, there aren't many villages like this," she said. If you took all the cars away, you'd half expect to see a horse and trap on the streets. It's just a lovely little village, and we get lots of visitors who say it's beautiful, yet you've got a bustling town like Clitheroe less than 10 minutes away." Visitors can also enjoy a drink at The Assheton Arms, which was a key filming location for BBC's The Secret of Crickley Hall. This 18th-century gastropub boasts stunning views from its terrace, serves as a popular wedding venue, and offers six bedrooms for those wishing to stay. Despite attracting many tourists, locals still regard Downham as somewhat of a hidden treasure, especially since there are no road signs indicating you've arrived in the village. For the Assheton family, preserving the village's charm is important, but it's not their only focus. They're also dedicated to moving Downham forward while keeping its unique character intact. A spokeswoman for the family told the Manchester Evening News: "Downham may look preserved in aspic, but it is a vibrant and thriving community supporting a range of businesses." One example is the transformation of Brookside Barn into office space, alongside the nearby eco-friendly Bowland Bioenergy, which supplies sustainable wood fuel products for biomass heating. The Estate is also committed to reducing its carbon footprint, with the current challenge being to upgrade very old and listed properties without damaging their historical features. The Estate is actively involved in the Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership project, which includes initiatives such as creating a new bridleway connecting Downham to the nearby village of Chatburn, peat restoration efforts, and extensive tree planting projects.
