A drawing, a painting & a letter return to the village

 

Sketch by Mary Greene 1942 of Lawrance forge

(Deacon)

 

The Smithy by Mary Greene

(Deacon)

In July 1942,  Mary Greene of Harston House, who was a prolific artist particularly of Cambridgeshire subjects, produced this drawing of the village forge which stood where 6 and 6A High St are today. No 4 can just be seen to the right.

In 1950 she produced an oil painting of the forge based on the drawing but much more detailed. This was one of her last paintings as she died the following year.

A letter from Mary to Harry Lawrance, the blacksmith, dated 16 Jan 1951 was found attached to the back of this painting, an extract of which reads:

I am giving you my picture of your forge which my brother always hoped you would possess. I have altered the direction of the smoke but with regard to your criticism of my putting three trees when you have only two, I can only say you must plant another as my picture refuses to let that third one go.

The drawing and painting were passed down to Harry’s son Ron and then Ron’s nephew Colin. They then disappeared from the village until Colin contacted the Local History Group and kindly offered them to the village for permanent display. They can now be viewed in our Village Hall