January 2023
I have been so busy arranging the visual art exhibitions in the Pizey Gallery, that I have I have neglected my own practice. However that is about to be remedied with my first solo exhibition for a long time
The Narrative History of Francois Cee (September 1944 - July 2021)
Dave Eldergill has created work which explores the places where personal archives merge with wider cultural history. Using sculpture, video, painting and found objects, he reworks the story of Francois Cee and invites us to contemplate the universal concepts of absence and presence, memory and mortality, and the passing of time.
This is the link to the web page
https://www.theprincesstheatre.co.uk/events/dave-eldergill-exhibition/
I have been so busy arranging the visual art exhibitions in the Pizey Gallery, that I have I have neglected my own practice. However that is about to be remedied with my first solo exhibition for a long time
The Narrative History of Francois Cee (September 1944 - July 2021)
Dave Eldergill has created work which explores the places where personal archives merge with wider cultural history. Using sculpture, video, painting and found objects, he reworks the story of Francois Cee and invites us to contemplate the universal concepts of absence and presence, memory and mortality, and the passing of time.
This is the link to the web page
https://www.theprincesstheatre.co.uk/events/dave-eldergill-exhibition/
April 2022
Back to Pembrokeshire to continue on the circumnavigation of Wales. I have been so fortunate again with the weather!
Back to Pembrokeshire to continue on the circumnavigation of Wales. I have been so fortunate again with the weather!
April 2022
So proud to have been part of the team organising the first (but definitely not the last) Burnham Book Festival,
So proud to have been part of the team organising the first (but definitely not the last) Burnham Book Festival,
March 2022
So nice to be back walking on the Welsh Coast Path. Good-bye Ceredigion and hello Pembrokeshire
So nice to be back walking on the Welsh Coast Path. Good-bye Ceredigion and hello Pembrokeshire
August 2021
Juliet and I were interviewed on BBC Radio Somerset about the "Last Banana", let's hope it generates some more sales
Juliet and I were interviewed on BBC Radio Somerset about the "Last Banana", let's hope it generates some more sales
August 2021
New venture for me, writing a children's book!
It was a really interesting process working with the illustrator Juliet Farnese. The story developed through a unique online collaborative process. Chapter by chapter, text and illustrations crisscrossed over the internet, words informing the images and the pictures equally informing the words. A drawing of a new character guided the story in one direction and the narrative suggesting a visual response.
So here it is, out today "The Last Banana in the World"
www.burnham-on-sea.com/news/burnham-on-sea-author-and-artist-unveil-new-childrens-book/
New venture for me, writing a children's book!
It was a really interesting process working with the illustrator Juliet Farnese. The story developed through a unique online collaborative process. Chapter by chapter, text and illustrations crisscrossed over the internet, words informing the images and the pictures equally informing the words. A drawing of a new character guided the story in one direction and the narrative suggesting a visual response.
So here it is, out today "The Last Banana in the World"
www.burnham-on-sea.com/news/burnham-on-sea-author-and-artist-unveil-new-childrens-book/
July 2021
Three more days walking the Welsh Coast Path. The first crossing of the Dyfi Estuary is quite a long way inland at Machynlleth so the coastal walk became hill walking with views.
May 2021
I finished my last entry about walking on the Welsh Coast Path in September 2019, and I think I put something like "looking forward to continuing the journey next year." That didn't turn out as expected! However, at last, the long circumnavigation continues. Three days walking, albeit at a slower pace than before, took me from Penrhyndeudraeth to llwyngwril. It's fantastic to be back on the coast. I have missed Wales
I finished my last entry about walking on the Welsh Coast Path in September 2019, and I think I put something like "looking forward to continuing the journey next year." That didn't turn out as expected! However, at last, the long circumnavigation continues. Three days walking, albeit at a slower pace than before, took me from Penrhyndeudraeth to llwyngwril. It's fantastic to be back on the coast. I have missed Wales
March 2021
I have started publishing writing on the medium platform and will be interested to see if it manages to find an audience
This is a link to an article
This is a link to an article
November 2020
“And all shall be well. And all shall be well. And all manner of things shall be exceeding well.” Dame Julian of Norwich
I have just finished a new song, and these words of hope have been the inspiration
“And all shall be well. And all shall be well. And all manner of things shall be exceeding well.” Dame Julian of Norwich
I have just finished a new song, and these words of hope have been the inspiration
September 2019
Another 3 days and I have now finished walking the Llyn Peninsula. Next year I shall begin the journey down the West Coast and on towards Pembrokeshire, but until then I have much to think about and write as I continue to "Learn Welsh in 1000 Miles"
Another 3 days and I have now finished walking the Llyn Peninsula. Next year I shall begin the journey down the West Coast and on towards Pembrokeshire, but until then I have much to think about and write as I continue to "Learn Welsh in 1000 Miles"
June 2019
3 Days walking from Caernarfon to Aberdaron. Part of the North Wales Pilgrims Way www.pilgrims-way-north-wales.org
Shame about the long stretch next to the A499 and not the best weather for June but what a stunningly beautiful place. Really looking forward to going back and completing the southern part of the Llyn Peninsular
3 Days walking from Caernarfon to Aberdaron. Part of the North Wales Pilgrims Way www.pilgrims-way-north-wales.org
Shame about the long stretch next to the A499 and not the best weather for June but what a stunningly beautiful place. Really looking forward to going back and completing the southern part of the Llyn Peninsular
May 2019
130 miles around Llwybr Arfordirol Ynys Môn and now back on the mainland. 11 separate days of walking between March 2018 and now. I would have finished the Anglesey path last year but had to postpone due to needing major surgery. My blog page recounts that particular journey and also in much more detail in my book I am so pleased that I am now well enough to have finished this part of the walk. Looking forward to further exploration of this wonderful place.
130 miles around Llwybr Arfordirol Ynys Môn and now back on the mainland. 11 separate days of walking between March 2018 and now. I would have finished the Anglesey path last year but had to postpone due to needing major surgery. My blog page recounts that particular journey and also in much more detail in my book I am so pleased that I am now well enough to have finished this part of the walk. Looking forward to further exploration of this wonderful place.
March 2019
Fantastic 3 days walking again on Anglesey. First trip back on my circumnavigation of Wales since my surgery last September and I was blest with 2 days of glorious sunshine. Heavy rain and a high tide on the first day meant the footpath was under water at Llanfachraeth so I took the alternative road route but a wonderful walk none the less. Really motivated now to try harder with learning the language and to get a better understanding of the country that I am walking around. Looking forward to going back in May
Fantastic 3 days walking again on Anglesey. First trip back on my circumnavigation of Wales since my surgery last September and I was blest with 2 days of glorious sunshine. Heavy rain and a high tide on the first day meant the footpath was under water at Llanfachraeth so I took the alternative road route but a wonderful walk none the less. Really motivated now to try harder with learning the language and to get a better understanding of the country that I am walking around. Looking forward to going back in May
March 2019
Interviewed about the new book for local paper and they sent round a photographer to picture me, book in hand. I think his brief was "try to make him look as ill as posible", which he has very successfully achieved.
You'll find my smiling poorly face here
Interviewed about the new book for local paper and they sent round a photographer to picture me, book in hand. I think his brief was "try to make him look as ill as posible", which he has very successfully achieved.
You'll find my smiling poorly face here
February 2019
A real privilege to be asked to be one of the judges at The King Alfred School, Battle of the Bands. There was so much talent and enthusiasm on show and fantastic support from the audience, well done to everyone involved.
https://www.burnham-on-sea.com/news/x-factor-singer-among-judges-at-battle-of-the-bands-event-in-highbridge/
A real privilege to be asked to be one of the judges at The King Alfred School, Battle of the Bands. There was so much talent and enthusiasm on show and fantastic support from the audience, well done to everyone involved.
https://www.burnham-on-sea.com/news/x-factor-singer-among-judges-at-battle-of-the-bands-event-in-highbridge/
February 2019
The new book is now available on Amazon. That was the easy bit, undergoing major surgery and then writing about it. Now the difficult stuff begins, now I have to try and publicise it and get people to buy it.
Where do I start?
The new book is now available on Amazon. That was the easy bit, undergoing major surgery and then writing about it. Now the difficult stuff begins, now I have to try and publicise it and get people to buy it.
Where do I start?
January 2019
Visited Derby and was able to see my work installed at both hospital locations. The Three Sisters are located in the stairwell at the London Road Community Hospital. When I was nursing, this was the newly built extension to the old Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. Now this 1980's building is all that is left of the old hospital except for the original towers, everything else flattened and cleared ready for development. There was something quite cathartic for me in seeing these archetypal figures watching the comings and goings in the place that informed so much of my artistic practice and writing. The Sisters have come home!
Visited Derby and was able to see my work installed at both hospital locations. The Three Sisters are located in the stairwell at the London Road Community Hospital. When I was nursing, this was the newly built extension to the old Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. Now this 1980's building is all that is left of the old hospital except for the original towers, everything else flattened and cleared ready for development. There was something quite cathartic for me in seeing these archetypal figures watching the comings and goings in the place that informed so much of my artistic practice and writing. The Sisters have come home!
October 2018
Very pleased to have work in this exhibition in Derby, which will be on until March 2019. Such a shame I was not up to attending the preview.
Very pleased to have work in this exhibition in Derby, which will be on until March 2019. Such a shame I was not up to attending the preview.
October 2018
Asked to talk on a phone in at BBC Radio Bristol about my experience as a patient at Weston General Hospital. Live radio is more scary than performing songs at the Ritz!!
Asked to talk on a phone in at BBC Radio Bristol about my experience as a patient at Weston General Hospital. Live radio is more scary than performing songs at the Ritz!!
August 2018
Two days walking on Ynys Mon and I am about 1/4 of the way around the circumnavigation of Wales, so a long, long way to go yet! Looking forward to September to continue along this majestic coastal path
Two days walking on Ynys Mon and I am about 1/4 of the way around the circumnavigation of Wales, so a long, long way to go yet! Looking forward to September to continue along this majestic coastal path
July 2018
I am going back to Wales to continue my journey walking the perimeter. I will continue to take photos, practice my Welsh and add to my research for the next book, "Learn Welsh in 1000 Miles". In the meantime, the process of writing has begun and I am revisiting last years Walk along Offa's Dyke through the border lands up to the North Wales Coast. I am posting a chapter of the book on this site in the hope of receiving some feedback as the style is somewhat different to things I have published previously and I would be interested to hear what people think. So please have a read through the chapter below, bear in mind this is an unedited, not proof read first draft, and then click on the contact tab at the top of the page and share with me your thoughts
I am going back to Wales to continue my journey walking the perimeter. I will continue to take photos, practice my Welsh and add to my research for the next book, "Learn Welsh in 1000 Miles". In the meantime, the process of writing has begun and I am revisiting last years Walk along Offa's Dyke through the border lands up to the North Wales Coast. I am posting a chapter of the book on this site in the hope of receiving some feedback as the style is somewhat different to things I have published previously and I would be interested to hear what people think. So please have a read through the chapter below, bear in mind this is an unedited, not proof read first draft, and then click on the contact tab at the top of the page and share with me your thoughts
Knighton, and the Death of the Buttington Oak
I am standing in the Offa’s Dyke Visitor Centre in Knighton, Powys and I am ready to begin todays walk. My raincoat is at the bottom of the back pack, the bottles of water, easier to reach, on top. The weather forecast for this April day is favourable and I think the weather proof coat is just a sensible precaution. As I’m glancing around the exhibition I find myself standing next to Offa himself. He is in fact a life size waxwork model, suitably dressed as an 8th century king, but incongruously holding a wicker bowl of loose change, waiting for any meagre offerings, I catch the eye of the young woman behind the information desk. Since my last visit to walk the path, I have made a start on my attempt to learn some of the language. courtesy of a number of YouTube and free online tutors, I think I have a few words memorised and I’m ready to give it a go. “Bore Da, shwmae” I say quite loudly, in my as yet unpracticed Welsh. She looks at me as if i have just landed from another planet with total incomprehension, embarrassed I turn and exit the centre, mumbling “Good Morning” as I leave. I’m not sure if it was my poor pronunciation or if in fact the lady working at the information centre could only speak English herself and my attempts at a greeting in Welsh had been completely wasted.
Knighton is a border town, the Rugby club proudly bearing the Welsh name Tref-y-clawdd whereas the railway station is actually in English Shropshire, so I shouldn’t be surprised if my attempts at communication with the locals in a foreign tongue didn’t go too well.
Another long distance footpath begins here in Knighton and the intrepid Walker has a choice of continuing North along Offa’s Dyke, as is my intention or turning West and to quote the National Trails webpage, “Celebrate Welsh cultural and natural history along the 135 miles of Glyndŵr's Way. Explore rolling farmland, open moorland, forests, lakes and reservoirs and re-live the adventures of Owain Glyndŵr.” It is not very far from Knighton that in 1402, the Welsh inflicted a heavy defeat against the English at the Battle of Bryn Glas and I know that as I make my way around Wales, tales of Owain Glydŵr and the last war of independence are something that I’m sure to encounter again.
I have two days of crisscrossing the border before finding myself in the small village of Buttington. I make my way over the River Severn on the A458 road bridge and follow the way marked route along the West Bank of the River and in so doing miss an opportunity to see one of the oldest ancient oak trees in Wales, and unfortunately it is an opportunity which is no longer available. It is claimed that the Buttington oak was planted in the year 893 on the Dyke to commemorate the battle of Buttington in which an alliance between Saxons and Welsh defeated an army of invading Vikings. The substantial girth of the oak and the fact that it had been pollarded, that is pruned and it’s wood constantly used in such a way that can extend the natural lifespan of a tree, means it could quite well have been old enough to have actually been living and growing here, in a field by the River Severn for over a thousand years. The span of a human life, even those who live to a century or beyond is but a fraction of this aged oak. If trees could talk what tales could it tell.
There is an artist who lives in Somerset who through his art practice and experiences of the natural world claims a special connection with the arboreal realm, it is his belief that he can communicate with the trees. Gordon Field has told me that modern, technological humanity has distanced itself from nature, and lost it’s connection with a deep knowledge that was once shared. A deep knowledge that he believes is essential to the very future of the planet. When Gordon encounters a tree for the first time, he places his left hand on the trunk and feels the energy from the tree flowing through his body and they become one. He communicates and he has conversations. He can ascertain the welfare of the tree, gain an understanding of it’s needs. This all may sound very far fetched to our contemporary, scientific and post enlightenment view of the world but Gordon is very sincere in his beliefs and who knows what possibilities purely rational thought may have excluded us from. I think of the ancient yew tree which has regenerated many, many times over the centuries, in the churchyard of St Michael’s at Discoed, which I sat by to eat my lunch a few days earlier along my walk. It is said to be over 5000 years old. It has remained as the environment around it had changed. It could have been witness to Stone Age settlers, early farmers with flint tools building henges, and worshipping unknown deities. It may have survived the clearing of woodland with early bronze axes to plant crops and graze livestock. Was it a sacred tree to Druids, a place of ritual and sacrifices. Did Roman legions camp nearby as they conquered and imposed order on unruly tribes. Could it tell of the building of a church to the new religion in an already sacred place. Are the comings and goings of humanity as insignificant to it as mere flies or mosquitoes to us. Who knows but perhaps I should ask Gordon?
Shortly after I had passed by Buttington, the mighty oak succumbed to even greater forces of nature than those it had it endured over the preceding millennium. In 2017 following strong winds the tree split and half of it crashed to the ground. It lay like a wounded beast, the death throws in such slow motion that it wasn’t until a year later that the tree completely fell and died and the Buttington Oak was no more.
June 2018
Two more days walking on Anglesey, the circumnavigation of Wales continues. Taking lots of photos as these will be the prompts I need when it comes to writing the next book. I am finding the process of trying to learn some of the welsh language quite difficult but I will keep at it as I am looking forward to pronouncing at least one place name correctly.
Two more days walking on Anglesey, the circumnavigation of Wales continues. Taking lots of photos as these will be the prompts I need when it comes to writing the next book. I am finding the process of trying to learn some of the welsh language quite difficult but I will keep at it as I am looking forward to pronouncing at least one place name correctly.
May 2018
Great opportunity to launch "The Nightingale Quarter" at the Derby Royal Hospital. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to put this event on.
