The Patrick Hamilton Appreciation Society discussion

Photos related to Patrick Hamilton - his life and work....

Click here to view a Flickr set that I created to showcase some photos that I have taken that relate to the life and work of Patrick Hamilton. Here are some examples:











Plenty more here.

Courtesy of CQM here are a few photos of Patrick Hamilton's final abode in Sheringham in Norfolk, and where he died.

The house is called Martincross and Patrick shared a flat in the building with with his second wife Lady Ursula Chetwynd-Talbot (aka 'La').

Sheringham lies on the North Norfolk coast between Weybourne and West Runton. Originally it was a small fishing community - but after the railway arrived in the late 19th Century it flourished as a holiday resort.

At the end of his life Patrick's work had fallen out of fashion and his drink problem had become critical. He died on September 23, 1962 from cirrhosis of the liver (aged 58) in the flat at Martincross on the corner of the Boulevard and St. Nicholas Place

La recorded in her journal:

'I got into a dressing gown, listened to P's breathing, then went into the kitchen, snatched a biscuit and cheese, washed up the tea, too tensed to sit and do nothing, then went to listen to P. again - there was silence.'

He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at Blakeney. J. B. Priestley described him as 'an unhappy man who needed whiskey as a car needs petrol'.

In 1919, the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams also lived and worked at Martincross; it was here that he wrote his 'Sea Symphony'. There is a blue plaque commemorating his time living in the house but not one for Patrick.

Here's a few thoughts from CQM who took the photos on a recent visit....

These are the pictures of PH' s final home and a jolly nice place it is too, though I understand he only occupied a flat within. Not sure what physical or mental state he was in when he was in Sheringham but he had a minutes stroll to the sea front and plenty of lovely pubs within a few minutes walk so if you're going to pop off there's as good a place as any.

Seems a shame he doesn't have a plaque there while RVW does, still I suppose folk don't want constant reminders that people have carked it in their house.

It is strange though as they have blue plaques in Sheringham for pretty much anything.

Thanks CQM

Interestingly (or not the choice is yours) I also went to Blakeney while on m' hols and you can certainly see it would have been a delightful place to have your cinders tossed to the breeze back in the sixties. Not that it isn't delightful now you understand, just a tad overrun by the moneyed middle classes and Ross Kemp jumping queues.
Incidentally I almost bought a book once owned by Sid James in Blakeney but thats a story for another time.
Well done Nige, thanks for posting.

CQM wrote: "Interestingly (or not the choice is yours) I also went to Blakeney while on m' hols and you can certainly see it would have been a delightful place to have your cinders tossed to the breeze back in the sixties"

Yep. Not been there yet, but getting a good vibe off these snaps...

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/blakeneyc...