98-year old offers words of wisdom for local artists

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Nov 17, 2016

98-year year old Bury St Edmunds resident Audrey Blake’s art work has been featured in an exhibition to celebrate 70 years of the Bury St Edmunds Art Society.

As one of the last surviving founders of the group, Audrey, a resident at Davers Court care home, was invited to the exhibition where three pieces of her artwork were on display for the local community to enjoy. 

Audrey was born at Saxon Railway station where her grandfather was station manager during the First World War. She has had a life-long passion for art and has been painting for as long as she can remember.

Audrey was one of the founding members of The Bury St Edmunds Art Society in 1946, which was established to gather like-minded people together to do something that they enjoyed doing. Audrey’s fondest memories of the group are the friendships she made and being able to appreciate the wide range of art produced in all its different forms. 

Audrey’s husband, Ronald Blake, was a great inspiration to her, and they married on 27th November 1940 - her birthday - at the age of 23. Her most prized piece of artwork is a painting of Ronald that hangs in her room at Davers Court. 

Before moving to Davers Court in June 2015, Audrey and Ronald sold newspapers from their home in Great Barton for many years. After the war, the couple spent their time doing arts and crafts, however Audrey’s first love was always drawing, and she used to enjoy long walks in the countryside with Ronald so she could sketch the scenery she loved so much. 

Wendy Harvey, home manager, said: “When we heard the society was holding an exhibition and that Audrey’s paintings were being displayed, we were over the moon for her.  She is such a talented lady and has given so much to the Bury St Edmunds art scene over the years – it’s only fitting that she has been recognised by the local community.

“The Care UK team loves hearing Audrey’s stories. A favourite story took place one Christmas with her grandmother, her family were so excited to show her the Christmas tree for the first time – but all Audrey wanted to do was draw it!”

“Audrey has loved art from the moment she learnt how to hold a paint brush, her advice to budding young artists is: “Keep at it! Do not give up or be disappointed if things do not turn out the way you planned.”