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Novel set in Suffolk, and we chat to author Pamela Holmes

23rd June 2016

The Huntingfield Paintress by Pamela Holmes, novel set in Suffolk.

novel set in suffolk

The Huntingfield Paintress on the TripFiction Instagram feed

The curious story of Mildred Holland is one that deserves to be told. And Pamela Holmes does justice to this unique and unflinching heroine. The author brings the Victorian era to life and conjures up the mores and manners of the mid 19th century that largely governed the place that women held in society.

Her husband, William, is biding his time to take over as curate at St Mary’s in Huntingfield, Suffolk, but the incumbent still has several years tenure. So the couple heads off for their own extended Grand Tour across Europe heading ever further South. This proved to be such a colourful period in their lives, the memories and experiences woven into their memories with acuity. Returning to Suffolk to take up his position, Mildred struggles with the sobriety and innate greyness of her new home environment. Gradually she sinks into a depression, she is very much an outsider looking in on an unaccepting community, with little to occupy her day.

Over in Southwold she is inspired by the art in the local church and determines to re-instate a glorious heavenly bower on the ceiling of their own church, her vision a golden cacophony of design and colour. For sure, the church in its medieval days had a colourful ceiling, which was painted over when Henry VIII removed every ecclesiastical sign that vaguely resonated with Papism. Thus it is she finds her vocation, and the church in Huntingfield is closed to worshippers as she overcomes her fear of heights and ascends into the dizzying heights of the hammer beam ceiling, for the best part of a year. The parishioners have to walk to a neighbouring church to worship, an inconvenience to many.

Thus, there are various shenanigans amongst the villagers that marr the smooth running of the project; and there is Judy who holds sway over many of the locals, a spiteful woman, a gossip, who can manipulate and distress with little consequence.

Overall this such an interesting story of determination and ingenuity and a good read. I would have loved to see a picture of the ceiling featured in the book, just to enhance the descriptions further but I guess there may have been copyright issues. Enjoy!

Tina for the TripFiction Team

Pamela has kindly agreed to answer our questions, so over to her….

TF: The story of Mildred Holland is really extraordinary, such determination in the face of adversity, and at a time (1850s) when women had little influence. How did you initially come across the feats of this amazing woman?

PH: On January 1st 2011, my husband and I visited the beautiful and tiny village of Huntingfield. A cold, bright day but inside St Mary’s Church it was gloomy. A sign suggested we put a pound into the box on the wall and there was an explosion of light! Where above our heads it had been shadowy, there now shimmered a medieval ceiling of saints, apostles and religious iconography in gold leaf and coloured pigments. Carved winged angels leapt from the ends of the hammer beam roof and the rafters were thickly patterned. A leaflet explained that in the 1850s, Mildred Holland, the parish vicar’s wife, had single-handedly created this striking display. Why would a Victorian vicar’s wife, expected to administer tea and sympathy to parishioners, stand on a scaffold to stretch above her head to create a 15th century angel ceiling? I needed to find out more.

My research in the British Library revealed limited facts. The church had been white-washed in the 1580s; an invoice revealed William, Mildred’s husband, paid for the paint and gold leaf, London –architect Edward Blackburne had advised on the renovation. I found out about the life and times of Mildred’s era: the role and position of women, the Gothic revival, the economics of Victorian parishes, the impact of industrialisation on rural life, scientific breakthroughs….

But nothing explained what drove this extraordinary woman up the ladder to paint. And since there wasn’t a lot known about Mildred Holland, I decided I would write a novel about her.

I spent two weeks living in Laundry Cottage in Huntingfield, (the building housed the tubs and wringers that provided clean linen for nearby Heaveningham Hall) to imagine what life might have been like for Mildred in 1948. I took the winding path she would have followed through the woods from Holland House to the village, visited Blythburgh and Southwold churches where she would have seen other angel ceilings.

I did not find any portraits or photographs but in my mind, Mildred is as clear as day. Dressed in trousers (a shocking thing to do in 1859), she clambered up the ladder to the scaffolding high above, defying her loving but exasperated husband and ignoring mistrustful locals to follow her dreams of beauty.

TF: From the story you have written, it is clear that Mildred appeared to be sinking into depression, having just returned from the colour and buzz of spending several years abroad. This is very much about a woman finding an outlet for her creative talents and finding fulfilment when there was little else in her life to occupy her. You talk about the process of painting (mentioning for example the wonderful L. Cornelissen and Son, London, supplying art materials since 1855) – how have you researched the process of painting (not to mention painting a ceiling!)?

PH: Mildred and William spent eight years travelling the Continent from Paris to Constantinople to Morroco. Imagine all they would have seen! The varied geography, different cultures, diverse architecture of Europe and beyond. Because William was a Tractarian and member of the Oxford Movement (which argued for the reinstatement of some older Christian traditions of faith into services and theology through a series of publications called the Tracts) I imagined his fascination with medieval churches and religious art and what was available to him on the extended trip.

novel set in suffolk

TF’s Tina with Pamela

Taking photographs was not an option available to the couple but as Mildred was a gifted amateur artist, she could have captured what they’d seen in drawings and sketches. Art was an acceptable occupation for a woman and, since this was allied to her husband’s work as a Rector, there would have been little resistance from those around her. When it was decided to renovate St Mary’s Church, we know that the architect, Edward Blackburne, acted as an adviser so Mildred would have had access to practical expertise.

For myself, I interviewed art historians about the practices and processes that were being used at that time. I talked to fine art restoration specialists about the fresco secco and gold leaf application techniques that Mildred used in St Mary’s Church. I lurked about the shop Cornelissen and Son in London talking to staff about how materials were packaged and transported in the 1860s. The specialist company employed to renovate the church a few years ago produced a technical report; that was useful. It identified how Mildred probably created images on the ceiling panels. Pin pricks found in the plaster showed ‘cartoons’ (or drawings on paper) had been ‘pricked’ around and then coal dust puffed through the holes using soft brushes. This left a ghostly trace of the image on the panel which was then painted in situ.

TF: Judy is a tricky character, someone who holds court and sway over the locals. How did she come into being, is she based in any way on reality that you know of?

PH: I’m glad you mentioned Judy. She is an amalgam of people that I like to avoid as much as possible. Gossipy and often cruel, there is often something about people like Judy which we are attracted to, I think, even though we sense they are unpleasant and likely to unsettle us. Rose wants to please Judy and it is not until she matures that she has the strength to challenge Judy and to take back some control.

TF: What was your own personal sense when you first encountered the amazing artistry in the roof of the church, I wonder?

chancelroof

The chancel roof in St Marys, photo courtesy www.stmaryshuntingfield.org.uk

When I saw the ceiling at St Mary’s and did research about the artist, I recognised that here was an extraordinary woman who was to be admired. I was at a cross roads in my life, perhaps like Mildred had been although for different reasons. My sons were both away at University and though I had a part time job, I felt I had the energy and drive for a new challenge. But what? Seeing the church was like receiving a gift. Here was a story waiting to be told. I had not written a novel before and was tentative, over-faced at the thought of what was involved. But knowing what Mildred achieved spurred me on. I loved spending time sketching the ceiling. It was delightful to unpick how she built up patterns using simple shapes and colour to form an extravagant whole.

TF: How did the journey to finding a publisher pan out and do you have any tips for aspiring authors?

I was lucky to find an agent quickly. I sent off the first three chapters and a synopsis (as one is advised) to four agents. Two responded, asking for more of what I’d written. Then one of them, Laura Morris, offered to represent me. I happily accepted. An agent will approach a potential publisher, perhaps a contact with whom they’ve worked in the past or someone they know has an interest in the type of book you’ve written. They will know your book well and perhaps have suggested changes or additions which strengthen it. They build you up when the book is rejected which it usually is! However, if they do find a publisher, the agent will sort out the publishing contract and holds your hand when you wonder how you will afford to live on the offer! As for tips for aspiring authors, persistence is pertinent. There is no substitute for having your bottom on the chair and producing words on the page or screen. It is fun, frustrating, satisfying and sometimes even boring! But if you want to write, can you ignore it?

TF: What is next for you both in terms of writing and travel?

I am writing another novel at the moment but am not convinced I have found the story yet. I’m swimming about. I was lucky with The Huntingfield Paintress; the narrative arc was integral to Mildred’s tale. My plans for travel this year are mostly based around promoting the novel. It’s a great excuse to visit East Anglia through doing events and talks. To visit new places and meet new people…sometimes readers too!

Thank you to Pamela for her wonderful and thoughtful answers.

You can catch her on Twitter and via her author page at Urbane Publications. And do come and say hello to Team TripFiction via Twitter (@tripfiction), Facebook (TripFiction), Instagram (TripFiction) and Pinterest (TripFiction)… and now YouTube

For more books to transport you to Suffolk “through the eyes of an author”, just click here

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Comments

  1. User: eileen keeble

    Posted on: 04/08/2016 at 8:57 pm

    was the stained glass window fact or fiction . Read the book { absolutely loved it] went back to church could not find window.

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