It has been a year since we heard from Peta Bridle, but this week she sent me her latest drypoint etchings, all inspired by the presence of the River Thames, to add to her growing portfolio of London, its culture, people and places
The Old Rose, The Highway, E1 - ‘The Old Rose sits alone on a corner of Chigwell Hill, facing the thunder of the traffic along The Highway. A small plaque reads ‘This is the corner of Chigwell Streate 1678’ and at the foot of the hill is Tobacco Dock. The Old Rose closed in 2011 and remains bordered up, but it is a lovely building so I hope it survives.’
Mission House Steps, Gravesend - ‘These worn steps draped in weed belong to the Mission House. Once ‘The Spread Eagle’ a pub, the Mission was set up by a local reverend to cater for the spiritual needs of Gravesend’s waterside and emigrant population in the days families waited here on boats for weeks, preparing to sail to Canada or Australia for a better life.’
Alderman Stairs, E1 - ‘Hidden between two former warehouses lies Alderman Stairs. A narrow passageway leads down to the Thames and out onto a stone pavement. Once a place to hail a boat, the shore is now a quiet place – quite different to the London on land.’
Gallions’ Reach Wreck, North Woolwich – ‘When the docks closed down in the sixties many Thames sailing barges were abandoned along the river. This wreck lies bare to the sky near the mouth of the Royal Albert Dock. Once used to carry building materials, it now holds only quivering grass.’
Gallions’ Reach Wreck, North Woolwich - ‘Close up with twisted nails and timbers shaped by the Thames’
The Devil & Two Women, St Katharine’s Chapel, Limehouse - ‘St Katherine’s Chapel once stood on the riverbank near the Tower of London, but it is now located in Limehouse. Inside the chapel are medieval choir stalls with misericords and this one is of the Devil eavesdropping on two women chatting – the sculptor has captured beautiful detail in their clothing and faces.’ Drawn with kind permission from St Katherines Chapel
Queen Philippa, St Katherine’s Chapel, Limehouse ‘This carving is of Queen Philippa, who was married to King Edward III. The sculptor has given her a beautiful smile and vivid face. I wonder if the woodcarver found a model or is it a portrait of Queen Philippa?’ Drawn with kind permission from St Katherines Chapel
Finds from the Tower of London beach - ‘Me and my children found these objects on the beach when it was open to the public. Top row, left to right – Medieval camel or sheep on part of a large medieval dish, medieval red pottery with zig zag design, medieval red London stoneware from a large dish with a rose design. I can fit my thumb exactly into the thumbprint of the potter who made it centuries ago and their fingertips were tiny! Maybe it was a child? Centre row, left to right – Gold, green and blue glaze is still bright on a fragment of pottery, carved bone mount in a tulip design from a box, bearded face from a bartman jug. Bottom row, left to right – :Corner of a seventeenth century Dutch tile in gold, white and blue, clay pipe with milled detail around the bowl, London redware storage jar rim from the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century, part of an earthenware vessel used in brewing.’
Fly Fishing Flies - ‘A selection of fishing flies tied by my Dad and brother’
Prints copyright © Peta Bridle
You may also like to take a look at