WIN a watercolour original of Ramsey Windmill

PUBLISHED: 14:31 11 July 2019 | UPDATED: 14:33 11 July 2019

RAMSEY WINDMILL Depicted with all its glorious splendour.

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As I continued my watercolour tour of Essex for this month's feature, I had very high expectations as I travelled to Ramsey, in the north of the county near Harwich. I knew already there was a windmill in the village and upon arriving I was completely overwhelmed not only by the beauty of the old mill but by the large amount of splendid old cottages along the length of The Street.

HOUSE AND MILL There was a lot 'going on' throughout the grounds and gardens with the mill standing gracefully, showing the effects of time.

If the village of Ramsey could be described as a novel and each of its picturesque scenes became a page of text from a book, it's fair to say that Ramsey is a real page-turner.

KEEBLES AND POPPY COTTAGES. The 'old wringer' or 'mangle' was for me a wonderful find in the front garden of this lovely duet of picturesque cottages.

I visited on a lovely Saturday in the spring, and so keen was I to set about completing the watercolours from the images I had taken that I had finished all six of the paintings within a week. So much did I love putting together my selections on consecutive days that I added the dates completed on every watercolour. The extra incentive to keep going through the six days was quite simply that they were all so exceptionally beautiful and I just couldn't stop.

OLD MILL COTTAGE A unique combination of prominent single story thatch, accompanied by a back building with its tiled mansard roof.

I should say that the pictures of the windmill and Old Mill Cottage that I took to inspire the scenes here were taken while in private grounds, but I was courteously allowed to take my images.

ST. MICHAELS CHURCH Alongside Church Road with emotional memories for me remembering 1965 (see my column)

There is in fact one more thing I wish to reveal. The last time I passed the beautiful church was in June 1965 en route to visit my sister and her family at nearby Dovercourt Caravan Park. I stayed for a few days and met my beautiful wife Joan there. We married in 1967, which leaves me to say two things. How lucky I was that day and where did the time go?

THREE OF A KIND Painted 'square on' and against the sunlight to show an alternative viewpoint with shadow on the decorative paint work.

For your chance to win James' original painting of Ramsey Windmill, simply fill out the form and answer the question.

Terms & Conditions

The competition closes at 6pm on August 31, 2019. Usual promotion rules apply. For full terms and conditions, visit our homepage.

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