WIN a wonderful watercolour of Fobbing's St Michael's Church

PUBLISHED: 12:52 09 April 2019 | UPDATED: 12:52 09 April 2019

ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH The complete tranquillity of the Church, gracefully set upon an incline, gives little indication of the secrets it holds.

Archant

Looking back at my output of watercolour paintings over the past 40 plus years, its not surprising that I’ve left myself no time to pursue other outlets, including time on the computer.

CURTIS FARM A lovely composition with the farmhouse, the black barn and the Church tower close by.

A recent television series featuring a History of British Villages opened my eyes to the fact that although I had painted thousands of village scenes, I had been missing a great deal of history. Some 25 years ago I had visited Fobbing to paint the church as a commission and returning for this feature I felt I wanted to know more.

FOBBING VILLAGE SIGN As a young man I worked as a cabinet maker and over 60 years on can still admire the beautiful crafted timberwork seen here.

When I arrived, I found immediately history was all around me: the metal sculpture commemorating an event 600 years ago, the beautiful village sign depicting a country scene from a bygone era and the picturesque church that had underground tunnels used by smugglers long ago.

METAL MEMORIAL SCULPTURE Commemorating the peasants’ revolt 600 years ago sculptured by G R Coode-Adams and erected in 1981.

I do have to confess that much of this information was found by my wife, Joan, on the internet. She also learned that a ‘man of Kent’ Wat Tyler was the leader of the Peasants’ Revolt, with Fobbing being one of the first villages that instigated the uprising in 1381. The Wat Tyler Country Park near Fobbing is dedicated to his memory.

PAYNES COTTAGES The name associated with carpenters, William Payne born 1823 and his son John Payne.

I conclude with grateful thanks to Joan for her invaluable help and, of course, the internet.

You can contact James at Cottage Corner Art, 9 Byron Road, Hutton, Brentwood CM13 2RU. Call 01277 210728 or visit www.cottagecornerart.co.uk

THE WHITE LION INN Beautifully painted with white external walls and black window frames.

For your chance to win James’ original painting St Michael’s Church fill out the form and answer the question below