|
   |
Peter, I would like to let
visitors to your great site know that another site,
www.amb-cotedazur.com,
has reviews of Escape to Provence as well as an interview of Maureen
Emerson. I encourage anyone who has read Escape to go to that site
and look on the right side for letters to the editor and post your
thoughts about this book. One can also click on Reviews and
Interviews at the top of the page to see, (and hear), more from and
about the author as well as Lady Fortescue and Elisabeth Starr. I
heard from Maureen Emerson, after posting my review on this,
(Peter's), site and must say she is an extremely nice person.
Thanks Roger I will be adding more info about AMB shortly - Peter, Webmaster.
I have spent the last couple of days reading
Escape to PROVENCE by Maureen Emerson and can honestly say it is the
most interesting read I have had in quite some time. The research
that went into the lives, and lives led, by Winifred “Peggy”
Fortescue and Elisabeth Starr, as well as the World War 11 travails
of France, must have been monumental . It certainly paid off. The
personalities of Peggy and Elisabeth were quite different and the
fact that they were able to maintain such a close relationship for
as long as they did was remarkable. Their dedication to the French
war effort was also something to behold. Emerson paints a picture of
a bygone era in such a way that the reader is almost there and,
certainly, wants to be there.
Maybe Emerson will now consider a book about Mary
Frances Kennedy Fisher (M.F.K. Fisher) and her love affair with
Provence. Fisher’s good friend, Julia Child, would be prominent in
such a book.
Something very interesting to me in Escape was
the mention, on page 10, of Dillwyn Parrish, a Starr relation. M.F.K.
Fisher was married to Dillwyn Parrish (dob-1894) in 1939 but not to
the Dillwyn Parrish mentioned in Escape as that Dillwyn was born
much earlier. The two Dillwyns are surely related but, after a
couple of hours of internet research, I could not establish a
connection.
Not surprisingly, I highly recommend Escape to
PROVENCE.
Thanks Roger - Peter, Webmaster.
Dear Peter,
the long awaited book, Escape to Provence, by Maureen Emerson,
certainly answered many questions for me. As an American, I was
particularly curious about Elisabeth Starr, whether she had ever
been married, engaged, why she went to France, etc. I had
searched on the Internet, but could find very little about her.
Truly it was a
bit sad to finish the book, as one seems to "become" part of
that group on the hill in Opio. I will be eternally grateful to
Maureen for writing this much researched and interesting book.
Thank you for
all you do for us all.
Kindest
Regards,
Doris
SC, USA
Thanks Doris, you are one of the first to review the book, glad
you enjoyed it - Peter, Webmaster.
Hi Peter,
thanks to Steve's post, and this site, I now have a copy of Maureen
Emerson's 'Escape to Provence' on its way to Texas. Also, I now know
what Peter look like - pleasant as expected. One more also - Alice
Barker has a great blog on French living (just discovered) at
http://blog.alicebarker.net.
Best wishes
Roger Jones, Texas, U.S.A.
Thanks very much for the kind remarks Roger, one or two people have
spotted me on the 'Esacape to Provence' page - (I could do with
shedding a few lbs!) You will enjoy the new book, I assure you,
especially all the U.S. connection with Elisabeth Starr and her
family. - Peter, Webmaster.
To see more pictures of the book launch click here
It's great to see this site
updated regularly and growing. I have just enjoyed reading the
'Escape to Provence' page and seeing the great set of photos of
Maureen Emerson's book launch at the English Book Centre in
Valbonne.
Thanks very much, it is a great book - Peter, Webmaster.
-
Gay Place, Mougins, Fr,
placegay@aol.com, 10/05/2008
Interested to buy any books that come up. I think
your web site is good and very well illustrated Thank you for all
the information.
Will let you know what becomes available - Peter, Webmaster.
I am always relieved
to see this site is still going strong. If only video cameras had been
around all those decades ago.......
Hi Roger, nice to hear from you, yes still going strong and more to
come yet! - Peter, Webmaster.
I have a Battye and a Beech in my family tree . Your
web site was very interesting , I have been trying to find the book,
The Fighting Ten , but not had much luck.
Welcome to the site Joanne - Peter, Webmaster. If anyone can help
with a copy
of the book please contact the site or Joanne direct.
'The Fighting Ten' by
Evelyn Desiree
Battye
published by BACSA (December 1984)
paperback of 250 pages
ISBN Numbers,
ISBN-10: 0907799094,
ISBN-13: 978-0907799092.
I am so glad I have found this site.
I have now read all of Lady Fortescue's books. She has the wonderful
power of making one think that she is writing for you alone.
Such enchantment is rare indeed. A vanished world brought to vivid
lyrical life.
Thank you and welcome to the site - Peter, Webmaster.
Dear Peter, I don't
know if the followers of this web site have learned of a new book by
Australian Vicki Archer called My French Life? I got my copy during
the holidays and found a web site where I could write to her. She was
gracious enough to answer me. I then mentioned Lady Fortescue's books,
being quite sure she would have heard of them, but as chance had it,
she had not. I gave her this web site. I am sure she will be as
enchanted with Lady Fortescue's books as all of us have. I do highly
recommend her book, it has beautiful photos and tells how they came to
love Provence, buy and restore Mas de Berard and move from Australia
to London so they could be closer to their beloved new home in
Provence, yet let the children go to English schools. A very Happy New
Year to all! Regards, Doris Long
Thanks for the information Doris - Peter, Webmaster. The book is
published by Penguin, Australia and is widely available, ( try
Amazon). From the
cover notes comes the following:
In 1999 Vicki
Archer, with her husband and three children, made a lifelong dream a
reality when she bought a seventeenth-century property in
Saint-Remy-de-Provence. She spent three years lovingly restoring the
farmhouse, bringing back to life the abandoned apple and pear orchards
and planting an olive grove of more than 2000 trees. In My French Life
Vicki shares an insider's view of life in France, telling her personal
tale of taking risks, facing challenges and falling in love with all
things French. Intertwined with Vicki's words are lavish photographs
by Carla Coulson, which reveal the essence of instinctive French
style.
Comments Hello
Peter, Best Wishes for the New Year, just to say that Jane Austin's
"Sense and Sensibility" is being screened on on BBC 1 on 1st January.
It was filmed in the grounds of Hartland Abbey and Blackpool Mill
Beach 1 mile away.
Thanks for the reminder Vicky. Hartland Abbey has strong links with
Lady Fortescue - Peter, Webmaster
- Lucy Ann White, Kent, England, 29/11/2007
Peter, Thank you for your comment on
my website www.lucyannwrites.blogspot.com regarding my entry Lavender
Blue. Winifred was certainly a character and, as you say, willing to
do what was necessary to survive and prosper. She sounds like my
grandmother, close to her in age and interested in the theatre like
her too! (all in my novel A Little Blue Jacket published in paperback
in May 2007) Perfume From Provence is a charming book: well done for
keeping it and Winifred's memory alive. Lucy
Thank you, Lucy's web site blog at
www.lucyannwrites.blogspot.com is well worth visiting - Peter,
Webmaster.
- Sylvain
Clapier, Grasse, A.M, 13/11/2007
My name is Sylvain
Clapier, I contact you because I was visiting your website when I saw
a particular flyer. My grand father was Taxi-man in Grasse, his name
was Henry Clapier. So this particular flyer is one use by my grand
father. It is so unbelievable for me! Be able to see this paper give
me a really great emotion. I don’t know if I can explain myself
correctly with your language, but it’s really fantastic. Is it
possible to you to send me the initial copy of this flyer to be able
to offer it to my father? Is it also possible to know how you found
it? Thank you for your help. Should you need any further information,
please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours faithfully,
Sylvain Clapier
The document mentioned is a small card advertising H. Clapier's Taxi
Service in Grasse in 1928. It is displayed on the
Grasse page of the site. I have been in touch with
Sylvain and will be sending him the original for his family to retain
- Peter, Webmaster.
- tolikimer, UK, 22/08/2007
Hi, a fantastic site, and brilliant
effort. A great piece of work. Best regards! Bye.
Many thanks - Peter, Webmaster.
I'm so glad to have discovered this
site and to find that so many people have enjoyed the books, as I
have. I didn't know about the last 3 titles and will now try to locate
copies of them. A couple of years ago I found The Story of a Red Deer
by J. W. Fortescue's in an Exeter bookshop and was delighted to
add it to my collection of Lady Fortescue's books. It was mentioned in
There's Rosemary, There's Rue. Do you have any information about
Castle Hill, Filleigh?
Cynthia Wrigley, Uffculme, Devon
Welcome to the site Cynthia, thanks for the nice comments. Have a
look at the page on Sir John Fortescue and you will find a link there
to the site about Castle Hill - Peter,
Webmaster
Hartland Abbey, Devon
My recent visit to
the Hartland Peninsula.
Part of my family and
our dog 'foggy' stayed in The Old Orchard a very spacious barn
conversion in Hartland village - a quiet village almost off the beaten
track but upon purchase of the Hartland Times (a monthly magazine) I
realised just how much effort and involvement goes into this vibrant
community.
The weather was
atrocious all week but our dog enjoyed his walks while dodging the
down-pours. Very conveniently we could access Hartland Park via the
gate in the village leading to Hartland Abbey and the Honeymoon
retreat and the base of Lady Winifred Fortescue during part of WW2.
The BBC warned us
they were filming their latest costume drama - Jane Austin's 'Sense
and Sensibility' in the park and we would come across a horse drawn
carriage. While the film crew tried to manoeuvre the horses from our
muddy path they beckoned us on but my foot came out of my shoe
leaving it behind in the thick mud. As I clung desperately to one of
the carriage wheels covering myself with mud a nice man from the
film crew managed to slip my shoe back on.
Meanwhile back at
Hartland Abbey (although they were not filming in the Abbey itself)
the grounds were full of vehicles belonging to the film crew. A
little cottage nearby at Blackpool Mill had been transformed for the
filming. I enjoyed the tour of the Abbey but was disappointed not to
find anything relating to Sir John and Lady Winifred Fortescue's time
spent at the Abbey. For those who have read Winifred's book 'Beauty
for Ashes' will no exactly what I mean. The grounds are very
beautiful (if only we could have had some good weather).
My first visit for
the day to Land's End in Cornwall was no less than dramatic for I
hadn't been there above ten minutes when out came my camera and while
eying up my first picture to take - not looking where I was going -
toppled over and fractured my right wrist and have been in plaster now
for five weeks.
Oh ! and by-the-way
if you are planning a visit to Hartland check your mobile, as not all
mobiles work in the village and you will have to go four miles for a
reception.
From
Vicky Jones
Thanks for a great write up & photo's Vicky - sorry to hear about
the accident, hope you are on the mend - Peter, Webmaster.
I liked your site.
Thanks - Peter, Webmaster.
In May we had a delightful trip to
Tourettes Sur Loup and from there we went to visit Opio and saw the
Sunset House, were kindly invited to see the garden by the new owner.
He was coming out to get his mail just as we were walking by. We
visited the graves of Lady Fortescue and Elisabeth Starr as well. I
didn't get to the Domaine as it wasn't open for tours that week. It
was so nice, such a thrill to see where they lived. Now I am more
excited than ever for Maureen Emerson's book to be published. :-)
Since getting home, I have re-read the first two books, will do the
same with the others.
Congratulations on a great trip Doris - Peter, Webmaster.
Having just finished reading the
delightful Perfume from Provence I am feeling just a little sad
because it has finished. Such was Lady Fortescue's skill that I felt I
was living there with them. My mind has been returning time and again
to the life she describes so well and the wonderful people she lived
with. Even though I know they are all long gone I would have loved to
have known what happened to them.I am determined now to find as much
of her work as I can, amazing lady.
Welcome to the site Patricia - you have 6 more books of delightful
stories to come yet so don't be too sad! - Peter, Webmaster.
- Jill, Kent, England, 30/04/2007
I Have just finished 'Perfume from Provence' and
thoroughly enjoyed it. I had the little book given to me and it made a
nice read.
Jill
Thanks Jill - Sunset House continues the story - Peter, Webmaster.
How very exciting to see the home
Elizabeth Starr lived in and know it can be rented! It is just amazing
to see those photos, and know she and Lady Fortescue spent so much
time there. Thank you Peter for a wonderful service to us all.
Regards, Doris
Many thanks, there are some more photo's on the rental company
website - Peter, Webmaster.
What a wonderful web site this is
and a fitting testament to an amazing lady.
Many thanks - Peter, Webmaster.
As we all are eagerly awaiting Maureen Emerson's
book, I wanted to share with you that in Gardens of the French Riviera
by Louisa Jones, on pages 102-104, there are some photos of Fort Escu,
not very large ones but such a delight to know they are there.
Many thanks for the information Doris - Peter, Webmaster. (There are
also some good photo's on the website created by the current owner of
The Domaine - have a look at
www.valeriedecourcel.fr )
I have become a huge fan of Lady Fortescue's book
and am avidly trying to find copies of all her work. Living in Sussex
I would love to know the location of Many Waters.Until I discovered
this site I thought I was alone in my interest in her work.
The cottage, since demolished, was on the Stonehurst Estate,
nr. East Grinstead - thanks again for the kind comments - Peter,
Webmaster.
I cannot tell you how delighted I have been to
discover your website. I have recently discovered Lady Fortescue's
work and have bought as many of her books as I could find. I will one
day travel to Provence to visit the countryside and people she wrote
so affectionately about.
Best wishes Joan Wilson
Welcome to the site Joan - Peter, Webmaster.
Delighted to rediscover 'Perfume From Provence'
during bad weather, when I was stuck by the fire twiddling fingers.
What a delight to read!
Georgina
Many thanks.
I liked your site.
Many thanks.
Hello: Can you please advise when the new book
will be out? I'm addicted to of Lady Fortescue's writings and so
anxious for the next one. Any info you can provide would be greatly
appreciated.
Thank you so much.
Susan Jerrell
Hello Susan, as I understand, Maureen Emerson's proposed new book
about Lady F and her neighbours is currently undergoing final
checking. Maureen hopes to have arranged a publisher by Spring 2007
so if all goes to plan it may be available next year. Keep an eye on
the web sites opening page for updates on progress and availability.
It sounds a wonderful book and we all await it eagerly - Peter,
Webmaster.
I much admire the
website and have found it very interesting and informative. Quite by
chance I found a copy of Perfume from Provence in a bookshop just
before a trip to France and as a result have collected all of her
books over the years. We have also found the bergerie (with
difficulty), visited Opio.
In one of her books
she mentions starting to make a recording for talking books of Perfume
from Provence but that the studio was bombed. Do you know if any of
the recording has survived? Is there any info on Elizabeth Starr?
Regards
Nick
Valentine
Well done for tracking down the bergerie! Extensive research has
failed to uncover any copy of the recording. The new book by Maureen
Emerson, due out late 2007, has a lot of information on Elisabeth
Starr.
I would just like
to say I have read all of Winifred Fortescue's books, they were so
interesting and I miss them- but I intend to visit at least some of
the places mentioned, I have found Hartland Abbey in Devon on the
web and plan a trip next year. In the meantime I am looking forward
to purchasing the book of the friends and neighbours of Rue de la
Fontaine by Maureen Emerson. I did take a trip to France this year,
to Limoges and visited the centre de la memoir Oradour-sur-Glane.
Thanks Vicky, keep an eye on the web site for more details of the
books progress - Peter, Webmaster.
I have the book All This and a
Medal Too By Tim Carew There is no dust cover but the book is
complete and in good/very good condition. It is published by
Constable & Co. Ltd, London. Reprinted August 1954. If you are
interested still please let me know.
Kind regards,
Michael
Thanks
very much, have passed on message to the enquirer - Peter,
Webmaster.
I have just started to read Winifred's books and
they are great !
Welcome to the site Wendy - Peter, Webmaster.
It is with such interest that I follow your web
site. I've read all the Fortescue books now but Laughter in Provence
and have that one coming to me from England. I was always sorry
when the books came to an end as I was totally wrapped up in the
stories, felt I could almost "feel" being there in Provence.
Ms. Emerson's book will be highly anticipated by me
as well, I am so eager to learn more about Elizabeth's Starr's
American roots. The whole book will be fascinating, I am sure.
Thank you for providing us with this site. I have so
enjoyed all the photos people have shared.
Best Regards,
Doris Long
Thanks for the kind remarks Doris - there is still much more to come on the
web site when time permits and the book is eagerly awaited. - Peter,
Webmaster.
- Maureen Emerson, Sussex, UK, 21/08/2006
Dear Peter
I have been told of your charming
and dedicated website and feel, at last, I can allow myself the
pleasure of contacting you.
After six years of research and
writing I have now finished a factual biography of the lives of four
friends and neighbours of the Rue de la Fontaine (the original name of
the hillside of San Peyre) in Opio. My own home for twenty-two years
was outside Valbonne.
Of the group the best known, of
course, are Winifred Fortescue and Elisabeth Starr. The story begins
in America in 1889 and ends in 1955 when the last house is sold. It
covers family histories, the two world wars, the fragile peace of the
20s and 30s on the Riviera, and the web of the personal lives of each
of the inhabitants of the four houses. Spanning three countries, it is
both historical and personal.
The book runs to around 111,500
words and is in the process of final correction. It could not have
been written without the immense generosity of the many people
concerned and the help of archivists in America, London and France. I
must now seek a publisher and, if no-one has accepted it by next
Spring, will publish it myself as a tribute to a group of people I
greatly admire. There are many and varied photographs. The above
title is a 'working title' for the moment.
I do hope, above all, it will be
interesting.
With best wishes
Maureen Emerson
Sussex, UK
Welcome to the web site Maureen. This is going to be a most valuable
publication providing an insight into the little community that lived
on the hill. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy! Congratulations,
six years is a long time ! - Peter, Webmaster.
A really interesting website. Thank you for
sharing... Janis
I have only recently discovered
Winifred Fortescue when I purchased a bundle of 'France' magazines
from a Christmas fayre and found a feature article called 'Maman Noel'
in the Spring edition 1996. I enjoyed the article so much that have
subsequently started reading all of her books getting the first book
'Sunset House' from the library, I have purchased the others trying to
get first editions - In Perfume from Provence there is a message
inscribed "To Madeleine, going to Monte Carlo 12.iii 36 from Grant
with love" in 'There's Rosemary There's Rue' has a sprig of rosemary
taped to the front cover. She was a wonderful writer and led a very
interesting life and I just love reading her books. I hope one day to
visit Opio, I enjoyed a tour of France last year.
Welcome to the site Victoria and
thanks for the comments. Please note 'Sunset House' is the second
book and continues the story of the original 'Perfume from Provence'. Keep up the hunt for 1st
editions, they are getting harder & harder to find in nice
condition - Peter, Webmaster.
- Gill Harvey, UK, 30/05/2006
I've just bought a first edition copy of Perfume
from Provence, green board cover, published by Blackwood in 1935.
There is an intriguing handwritten entry on the very first, blank page
: "Maggie L ...... Chris who has spent many happy days in "the Domaine".
Easter 1935" I wonder if anyone could shed any light on who Maggie L
or Chris are/were??
With thanks and regards.
Gill - I am making enquiries as per my e-mail - Peter, Webmaster.
It's really nice to think that other people also
tend the grave; I've not been down to the South for a while now and
was wondering how the weeds would be doing! Thanks Olivier. In a
strange way it became a project of mine whilst I was working In Grasse
and if I found that somebody else had planted something I always hoped
that we might meet.
It's good to hear from someone
living in Opio. Thank you for visiting and cleaning her gravesite.
- Olivier Carton, Opio, A.M. France, 20/5/2006
It was nice to find this web site, I live in Opio and
enjoyed reading the books. It was fun trying to imagine the places that
were mentioned in the book. Opio has changed a great deal since her days
but is still a wonderful place to live and to bring up children. I was
walking in the village the other day and decided to visit the cemetery and
came across her grave so I did a spot of weeding and cleaned it up a bit.
Many thanks for your mail. I have not
tracked down the exact house number as yet, the census for that year is
not available yet of course but I will work on it! It's an interesting
theory and could just be a possibility, it's about the right time. There
are no blue plaques in respect of the Fortescue's. There is a brown one on
Admiral's House at Hampstead Heath but not to them. That would be a good
place to get one erected for both Winifred and Sir John. Home Farm, as it
was, tacked on the end, has one to Galsworthy. I am looking into the
possibility, it is now done through English Heritage, but it is a very
lengthy process.
Dear Friends
I very much enjoyed reading "Perfume
from Provence" which led me to track down a copy of "There's Rosemary,
there's Rue" which I am currently tucking into at the moment. I am also an
admirer of the "Mapp and Lucia" books of E F Benson, who at one time - I
think around 1915 - moved into a house at 25 Brompton Square, London.
This would seem to have coincided with the Fortescue's residing in the same
square, so I was wondering whether you know exactly which house it was
that they occupied? Could they have purchased it from E F Benson
perhaps?
Incidentally, a blue plaque has been
added to the front of 25 Brompton Square recording that E F Benson once
lived there. Have there been any blue plaques erected anywhere on homes
that Lady Winifred Fortescue lived in at all?
I have recently read Perfume from
Provence and was immediately struck with it's significance to the late
and truly great Gerald Durrell. It was so obvious by its similarities,
that I immediately posted this to two Yahoo Groups discussing Gerald
Durrell and his Jersey zoo: INSPIRATION FOR: MY FAMILY & OTHER ANIMALS
Those of you who have read Gerald Durrell's books, will know that his
brother Larry (Lawrence Durrell) was a celebrated author and friend of
Arthur Miller the great American author. You will also know that Larry
coached Gerry in writing MY FAMILY & OTHER ANIMALS. This coaching
manifested itself by Gerry writing some beautiful books, but only when
he had time to spare from his lifelong ambition to create a zoo that
would be different from other zoos. What you probably do not know, is
that writers build on the foundations of those who have written before
them. The best writers include themes from many books and intermingle
them: that is not plagiarism. Over the last 5 years, I have enjoyed
comparing books and films, to see which themes are used by the next. I
have just read the book that Larry must have given Gerry, as an
inspiration for his book: PERFUME FROM PROVENCE (1935) by Lady Fortescue.
This was written in Provence (France) at a similar time to the Durrell's
life in Greece. Provence was where Larry retired. Provence was where
Gerry had his holiday/writing home. Lady Fortescue's lovely description
of festivals and country life is reflected in Gerald's book, as is her
style of mixing up when events occurred - to make a good story. Lady
Fortescue was as popular in the thirties as Gerald was in the sixties.
If you can get hold of a copy you will enjoy this classic book, my
edition was published in 1992 by Black Swan. The last two chapters are
brilliant. Lady Fortescue followed her husband to the grave in Provence
in 1951, little did she know what she had inspired.
Richard
Thank you for all the kind remarks recently added - they
are very much appreciated.
- Emily Bell, Horley, UK, 21/03/2006
Thank you so much for your detailed site. I was merely
interested until I came to the slide-show - and I was entranced. I am
currently reading Perfume from Provence and the modern-day pictures are so
moving, especially after reading your account of Lady F's good works and "Monsieur"'s
scholarship. I originally bought the book because I am interested in
French and English attitudes to gardening, and had believed that it was
chiefly about gardens. I was very slightly disappointed in that, and so to
see pictures of the roses is wonderful! (My parents live in the South-West
of France and the local gardens are mostly neglected yards, except for the
vegetables.) Thank you again for all the work.
A great
site where one can enjoy the thought of a great mind long departed. Cheers
for the good work!
This
site goes from strength to strength; the book covers and the De Gaulle
commendation make for really interesting add-ons. The hailstone pictures of
Monaco are spectacular; the weather can be quite strange, especially in the
hills where electric storms are not uncommon. The snow featured in the Nice
views is the snow that also broke the mimosa trees last February.
Kind
regards
Re the
entry back in September about the Croix de Lorraine on Winifred's
headstone and involvement with the French resistance. I think the cross is
actually a link to the ASSOCIATION DES FRANÇAIS LIBRES who honoured
Winifred for her work during the war and who also use the same symbol. A
new page has been added with a copy of the certificate she received signed
personally by General de Gaulle in 1946.
Click
here to visit the new page.
Hello
and welcome Ann. Yes, the author is indeed Tim Carew. It was published in
1954 and not reprinted again as far as I know. Second hand copies are
available through professional book dealers, prices ranging from approx.
£12 to £35.
A brief
description: 1954 by Constable.252pp. Recording events which took place
in the author's life between 1937 and 1950 during which time he was in the
Royal Horse Guards and then the Parachute Regiment in World War 2. Later
he was with the Ghurkhas in Burma where he won the Military Cross.
I have
e-mailed you directly re obtaining a copy.
I am
trying to trace a book called "All this and a medal too" and after typing
this in Google your site has come up as the only one having reference to
it - could you please tell me the author's full name - Is it Tim Carew?
and is the book still in print?
Many thanks
Ann Caine
Thanks
for the kind remarks Lorayne and welcome to the site. Hope you generate
some interest in the book.
What a
wonderful website I have found, not only is it tastefully put together but
also informative and I have experienced an extremely friendly service. I
have for sale a beautiful Hon. J. W. Fortescue - The Story of a Red Deer
dated 1899 in impeccable condition. Please do not hesitate to contact me
for further details or if you would like to make me an offer I may just be
tempted to part with such a rare, collectable book for a genuine sensible
offer.
Very best wishes
Mrs Lorayne Thompson.
Contact
Lorayne direct at the above email address for details - Webmaster
I read
Lady Fortescue's books first in the early 1960's after a visit to Grasse.
'Perfume from Provence' has been re-read many times, and remains my
favourite.
Bel
The
site goes from strength to strength, it really is beautifully put
together, many congratulations. I have been a fan of Lady Fortescue's work
since a friend loaned me Perfume from Provence several years ago and have
visited Opio and the surrounding area many times since then. Can anyone
cast any more light on Lady Fortescue's involvement with the French
Resistance. I imagine the symbol of the Croix de Lorraine on her
headstone, which is very symbolic of the free France campaign, signifies
her involvement in the liberation movement as well as her many charitable
acts for people in the region. I too have noticed the crumbling grave of
Pat Allison next to Miss Starr's (recently impressively restored) grave.
Does anyone know who he/she was?
Keep up the very good work,
P. L. (
London).
My
thanks to Ken Bryant for his tip off below. As a result I managed to
secure the book and letter and it is now on the website. Click
here to visit the page.
Welcome
to the site and thanks for the kind remarks. Rest assured, the copyright
holder of all the work, a niece of Lady Fortescue, has always been
consulted as far as I know. I have seen the books for sale but like you
feel the price is very high. Can't find the one about domestic notes you
mentioned though - feel free to send me an email with further info. Thanks
again - enjoy the web site.
A
further note, I did a search on abebooks where there are a couple of items
for sale [not cheap] a signed copy dedicated to " nanny" and another
containing two pages of correspondence on domestic matters. has web master
seen these?
This is
a fantastic site and a fabulous find! I remember when the the Black Swan
reprint came out, (what a poor issue) one of the reviews made great play of
the fact that none of Lady Fortescue's descendants could be traced: a poor
show I thought as I was sure I could have found them, if around. [I've a
similar but longer term project ongoing] As I feel this was just an excuse
to avoid royalty payments, did the descendants get the dues?
Thanks
to Veronica who got in touch about the Jogging Round Majorca book by
Gordon West. Its on the way to you today!
David,
be sure to visit
www.fortescue.org where you can track all Fortescue's.
I have
just bid for Perfume from Provence on ebay. That is a good place to search
for other items connected with Lady Fortescue. Put in a search for
Fortescue. My interest is in the Fortescue genealogy. My father's middle
name is Fortescue as was his father.
Some
time ago someone was trying to find a copy of Jogging round Majorca by
Gordon West. The cover is by Brian Sanders who did the 1990's Fortescue
covers. Well, I now have a copy of it available for £5 but have lost your
details - do get in touch if still interested! Click
here to send an email.
Just
back from my last visit to Opio, where the rose planted by the Smith's
friends in February is still doing well, (well watered by the seasonal
storms!); I think the grave has however been tidied up by the caretakers
as there have been several plants removed (sadly the Rue, which probably
looked a bit weed like and the lavender). Does anybody know any connection
with Pat Allingham? another English name, whose grave is in very poor
shape, next to the one of Miss Star. Hoping to go again in August.
This
site gets better and better. Thanks!
Hello
Peter, Continuing your good efforts I see! Very interested to see the info
about Peter Carew, we had wondered who he was. We have his book Combat &
Carnival which is an interesting read. I am in the middle of reading his
son, Tim's book "All this and a Medal Too" - his life in WW2. We're off to
France next Tuesday, where we will without doubt have our usual "Personal
AGM" at Le Mas des Geraniums and visit the grave, where our friends were
there in February and planted a rose for her.
All the best
Margaret
Hi Jill
and a warm welcome to the site - will be in touch re books in Australia
shortly. Nice to have another Fortescue on board.
Hi
Peter. I have just discovered this website. I would love to know if my
grandfather is Sir John's cousin?? I was told by my father that he was.
Please let me know how to obtain the books of Lady Winifred. Amazing
research! well done. Warm greetings.. from Downunder:)
RE: PETER CAREW - BURIED AT OPIO
- Update
Joyce
Margaret FORTESCUE was born on 13 Mar 1892. She died on 19 Aug 1974.
Author of a book "Dusty Pages". She was the daughter of Sir John
Fortescue's younger brother, Captain Arthur Grenville Fortescue of the
Coldstream Guards who died on the 3rd October 1895.
She was
married to Colonel Peter Fitzwilliam CAREW ( the son of Rev Henry William
CAREW and Maud Elizabeth TAYLOR) on 10 Apr 1919.
Research is continuing!
Thanks
for the kind comments and welcome to the site Denise! Have e-mailed you re
obtaining books in Australia.
Highly
delighted to find your beautifuly illustrated website !!! I came across
these delightful books a number of years ago & was just re-reading them
when I realised that I no longer have a copy of There's Rosemary, There's
Rue so thought I would look on the web as my local book seller tells me
that it is out of print. Maybe you can help? I appreciate the amount of
work that has gone into creating the site - many congratulations!!!
Hello
Peter, I have just re-visited your site and it is a real pleasure to go
through it again, also it has grown so much. Keep up the good work. Hope
you and family are keeping well.
Hello
from chilly Nice! I can confirm that there was lots of snow this week and
we're waiting for some more tonight! It's -2° and very cold here, pussy
cats are sleeping on the computer to keep warm! Happy reading!
Click here for photo's.
Welcome
to the site David !
How
pleased I was to come across your site. I was given a 1946 edition of
Perfume from Provence by my father in law some years ago and often re-read
it. Provence is a favourite holiday destination, particularly around St
Tropez, Le Lavandou and St Maxime. I visited Grasse in 2004, so I was
unwittingly close to the Domaine de Fort Escu! I've enjoyed browsing your
site.
Thank you for your message .for some reason I cannot get an email to you (it
will be me, a poor operator!) hopefully all the info you need is above. I
await your email to let me know where I can get the other books with baited
breath.
Many thanks
Jane
I was
just listening to a Nashville program on "fiddling", of all things, and
something told me to visit this site. My post was one of those two lost. I
had just mentioned how nice it would have been to have spent fifteen
minutes with Lady Fortescue and Molly Hughes. I am reading the last (not
meaning the last she wrote) of my Fortescue books - Mountain Madness. I
have been dragging it out for seven or eight weeks because when it's over,
it's over. I don't re-read books but, in her case, just may break my
decades old rule. Thanks for the website.
Sorry
to say the site crashed with an almighty thump this morning ! All seems to
be up and running again now but we have lost the last couple of entries in
the visitors book - do please leave them again. If anything else appears
amiss let me know !
Hello
Jane and thanks for your message-send me an email to the
enquiries@perfumefromprovence.com
address so I can reply to your address with book info. Best wishes, glad
you like the site.
How
wonderful to discover this site. I read the 2 books (perfume and sunset)
when introduced by my grandmother 18 odd years ago and have always
wondered if any others were written. Have you any ideas where I might be
able to purchase the rest.
Kind Regards
Jane
Thanks
for the last 2 entries - have e-mailed you both directly. We now know who
tends the grave ! I am coming to the conclusion that Peter Carew was
possibly just a neighbour living in the area. Very little is known about
him and there was a fair size English community there at one time. Any
photos are always welcome and I will try and use them where possible -
does anyone have one of Sunny Bank Hospital, Cannes before it was
demolished ??
Do you
have a copy of Combat and carnival" by Peter Carew?
Dear
Peter, When I first met your site, a few years ago now, I was delighted to
find that somebody shared my interest in keeping Lady Fortescue's memory
alive I discovered her books (and subsequently her grave) whilst working
in Grasse (about 10 years ago) and have tended her grave ever since; I had
also started to research her life and talked to the locals who remembered
her as Maman Noel; I have no family connection , but having enjoyed all
her books I just felt I wanted to do something for her; in July last year
I must have got there a few days after Margaret and Tony Smith; their
flowers on both Lady Fortescue's and Miss Starr's graves are still doing
well; I now spend more time in London so only get to the grave
occasionally. I also managed to get a copy of Peter Carew's book, Combat
and Carnival but have found no other information about him; What was his
connection to Lady Fortescue? Hopefully by now, her grave should be
covered in spring cyclamens and crocus, weather permitting; it snowed
quite heavily in the area last week-end, so heavily in fact that the
mimosa trees broke under the weight of the snow in the Vallée du Tanneron.
Are you interested in any other photos of the area? Looking forward to
hearing from you.
Kind regards
Rhona Wells
I have
read all of "her" books and am happy to discover a website devoted to her.
Thank you!
Have
e-mailed you directly re obtaining a copy of 'There's Rosemary There's
Rue'. Best wishes.
Have
been a fan of Winifred fortesque since the 1980's - however I HAVE NEVER
BEEN ABLE TO FIND A COPY OF THE BOOK - There's Rosemary, T here's Rue.
Would love a copy
Sorry
Sue, sadly, only printed in English & Dutch as far as I know!
Absolutely wonderful books, my Swedish friends wants to know if they are
published in Swedish?
A happy and peaceful new year to
everyone from www.perfumefromprovence.com
This
author is possibly the Peter Carew you refer to, I will check & provide an
update in due course.
'Combat and Carnival'
by Peter Carew. (1954)
A book about Sir Walter Carew which includes his brother-in-law William
Blundell Fortescue. Carew was a Landowner and yachtsman. It was he who was
fancied to win but lost to the yacht "America" and so started the Americas
Cup saga. William Blundell and his wife were on board at the time.
On a
recent visit to Opio I visited Lady Fortescue's grave, which was looking
very pretty and obviously well tended. I was that "an English lady" from
Antibes takes care of it and was interested to know if there is a family
connection here. Also, does anyone know more about Peter Carew of Devon
who is buried next to WF? Really enjoy the site by the way, informative
and beautifully designed.
PL LONDON
With
regard to the entry about Lady Fortescue's voice recordings, she was
making these for the use of the blind at St. Dunstan's in Central London.
(Early form of talking book, on discs). Despite extensive research with
the RNIB archives it looks as if none survived. Readers may remember from
'Trampled Lilies' that St. Dunstan's received a direct hit from a German
bomb and very little was left, her last recollection was of the production
manager trying to recover smashed items from the ruins.
Thanks
for contacting me thru E bay , had no idea the site existed. No time to
read thru now but have put on favourites and will be back.
Good
morning Peter My interest in the books and life of Lady Fortescue are
reflected by those of your other correspondents and I feel that perhaps
they would be interested in a living literary connection with her. A few
years ago whilst staying at Port Merion in North Wales, we met and
subsequently got to know The author Michael Burn, who is now in his early
90's. On subsequent meetings with him we talked about his various titles
and in particular "Mary and Richard" a story of his wife's passionate
affair with Richard Hillary, the battle of Britain fighter pilot who Wrote
"The Last Enemy". Whilst talking generally about both these books we
discovered that Richard was in fact the same fighter pilot (with the badly
burned face) that Winifred Fortescue befriended, and that Michael Burns
wife Mary Booker was the lady who brought his association with Lady
Fortescue to a close. If you recall Lady Fortescue's association with
Richard Hillary was initially to teach him the art of writing. I think
that anyone who has read "The Last Enemy" would agree that she very
definitely succeeded. I tend to think that if it had not been for
Richard's diversion in Mary Booker's direction the Lady Fortescue story
may have been a little different. It seems that his facial burns did not
put the ladies off!
Hello
Peter, Just thought I'd write a little note to tell you that we had our
usual PAGM (Personal Annual General Meeting!) at Le Mas des Geraniums,
having visited the graves to say hello and planted some lavendar on them
both, Lady Fortescue's and Elisabeth Starr's. Lady F's is looking very
pretty. However it was a cool and rainy day, so we had to have lunch
inside. Quel domage!
All the best
Margaret & Tony Smith.
Having
enjoyed the books was thinking if the 78's she recorded would still be
around and if so can they be purchased on CD? good luck and great site.
John
P.S. would like to add that her story has prompted me to take a holiday
in the region, again thanks.
Having
enjoyed the books was thinking if the 78's she recorded would still be
around and if so can they be purchased on CD? good luck and great site.
John
Oops!
my mistake, well spotted, thank you.
With a
little help from my friends I've got here! Like the Hert's page, but have
one small correction : the A10 on which St Edmunds stands is not the Great
North Road (which is the A1).
In
reply to Beverley Geggie's message,and to clear up any misconceptions,M M
Kaye is not related to "the fighting Battye's".She wrote about the
exploits of one in her book The Far Pavilions.If readers would like to
find out more about Winifred Fortescue's family on the distaff side, can I
recommend The Fighting Ten by Evelyn Desiree Battye. This is published by
BACSA.In addition to the exploits of "the fighting ten" it gives a lot of
background information and the fascinating family history of Winifred's
mother.
Thank you for the opportunity to share your delightful web site which I
discovered by accident whilst surfing the Net. I have been interested in
the work of Lady Fortescue for some time since reading Perfume From
Provence. My curiosity was kindled when I discovered the family
connection. I visited Opio last summer and found Lady Fortescue's grave. Is
there a map in existence which shows the location of the houses that she
was involved with? The excellent slide show has given me some clues of
where to look on my next visit.
Many
thanks for your comments Tony, glad you like the site. The style of
writing does take a bit of getting used to but life was very different of
course in that era. I will try and add some more information about her
health and the 'poison' in due course. Peter.
I write
to say what great pleasure Lady Fortescue's seven books have given me over
these last 3 months. I completed 'there's rosemary, there's rue' last
weekend at the Fremantle home of a fellow-devotee Doreen Hill. Initially I
found the style a little dated, perhaps slightly 'classist' but quite
suddenly I succumbed to lady Fortescue's great charm, her vivid
personality and her huge compassion and vitality for life itself. What was
the 'poison', severe health problem that troubled her through those years
- and eventually killed her I suspect? I was delighted to find this site
and have passed it on to several friends. My 81 year old mother is now
discovering Winifred Fortescue and her world with great delight and
pleasure: and this so many years after her death. I write from the west
Australian bush and in the heat of summer (41C) on some days, but these
gentle and endearing books have transported me to a cooler clime and a
lost and charming world. All power to Lady Fortescue and her friends!
| |
