A crowd celebrate Richard Adams' 90th birthday at the White Hart
A crowd of artists and local residents gathered in the White Hart to celebrate Richard Adams’ 90th birthday. Graham Burgess, Whitchurch Arts’ Director of Arts introduced Richard and congratulated him on this special occassion. Richard is the receipient of the first annual Whitchurch Arts Award for Inspiration.
A collection of new paintings from the Whitchurch Arts ‘Off the Walls‘ project, run by Jude Price, were on display all around the room, and throughout the White Hart (new pieces were also hung at The Bell pub, just down the street).
One piece, though, was very special. It was unveiled by Andrew Reeves-Hall, chairman of Whitchurch Arts: it was a painting of Richard Adams made by local artist Steve Miller.
Andrew, Richard, Sir George and artist Steve Miller with the painting gift
The recently re-elected Sir George Young Bt., our local Member of Parliament, Leader of the Commons and Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, presented the painting literally off the wall to Richard Adams. He congratulated Richard on his lifelong achievements and also gave thanks to Whitchurch Arts for hosting the event and for being so involved in the community – noting how so many of these events take place in traditional English pubs!
Richard thanked Sir George, Andrew, Jude, Graham and especially the artist Steve Miller. Richard talked about the wonderful feeling of ‘home’ and of Whitchurch, Hampshire in particular. He penned a poem that encapsulated his feelings (Sir George asked him how long it took him to prepare, to which Richard replied ’10 or 15 minutes, it was all impromptu – I had to show that I am a writer!’).
Richard recites his impromptu poem about Whitchurch
Congratulations once again to Richard, and thank you to all who made today’s special event possible – especially Andy and Julie Moss of the White Hart.
Photos from the event are in our Photo Gallery HERE. An article and photo are in the 20 May 2010 edition of the Basingstoke Gazette HERE and the 21 May 2010 edition of the Andover Advertiser HERE. Sir George Young Bt. wrote about the event in his constituency news HERE.
Here, then, is Richard’s poem about Whitchurch, on the occassion of his 90th birthday:
Oh Whitchurch fair !
What joy it is
To come back here from London grime
What happiest joys are his
Who knows once more the blessed time
Has come for his return.Blue Skies, Green Grass, sweet leaves on Whitchurch Trees
And upstream Test of slender size
Runs sparkiling in the summer breezeTo laze beside the cricket pitch
And watch thy batsmen boundaries smite
What rural bliss ! Oh joy how rich
To come back home to golden light
Of Whitchurch Summer .Boys and Gal lets bless the Mayor adorned with chain
Thank God I am his Whitchurch pal.
Thank God I feel alive againWhen I return and see my home
My Whitchurch home, that’s like no other
I am resolved, I’ll never roam
I count each Whitchurch man, my brother.I floor my pints at Whitchurch bars
At Whitchurch tables eat my dinners
I gaze aloft at Whitchurch stars.Oh Whitchurch publicans and sinners
Rejoice with me! This place is ours
And where could we find ?
Ladies bouquets of Whitchurch flowersBe yours, and Whitchurch roofs designed for you to dwell in happiness.
My home. Our home! Here I return
And here I stand and here I bless
Dear Whitchurch, how my heart does burn
From these few words you all may see
Just how it burns. Let no one frown
Upon the fond simplicity
Of this rough speech.Now I’ll sit down.
Richard Adams.
Tags: Andrew Reeves-Hall, Basingstoke Gazette, Graham Burgess, Jude Price, News, Richard Adams, Sir George Young MP, Steve Miller, White Hart