The inspiration for the paintings in this exhibition was found on an old poster discovered amidst a cache of mid 20^th century ephemera, advertising local events and services in and around Great Livermere, Suffolk. It announces what was once an annual event – Livermere Parva Village Revel.

Livermere Parva was a small Suffolk village adjacent to Livermere Magna (now known as Great Livermere). It ceased to exist in the mid 18^th century when it was emparked by the landowner to improve the view from his mansion.

Annually, on All Fool’s Day, in the graveyard of the former village church, the inhabitants and their descendants would hold a celebration in memory of their forebears. As attested to on the poster, a major part of the event was the compulsory wearing of fancy dress. The fact that no photographic evidence of any of the revels held in Livermere Parva can be found in local records has not held me back from imagining what the costumes might have been.

In common with much of my work, a liberal amount of artistic license has been applied. For, as is said, never let truth get in the way of a good story.