Christmas always means ‘The Snowman’ or ‘Father Christmas’. Then came ‘Ethel & Ernest’ about Raymond Briggs’ parents and his own growing up. Finally, there was ‘The Snowman and the Snowdog’. These are the animated films I loved watching year on year. Of course, they began as books, and books begin as storyboards or large scale artworks. These are what are on show in the exhibition at the Discovery Centre in Winchester. As soon as I knew about the exhibition, I had to go! So I booked tickets for myself and a friend.
This didn’t exhibition disappoint. I had forgotten some of the works Raymond Briggs had done over the years. A man who says he doesn’t like children (he none of his own, but is step-dad to his partner’s children) and who wrote what he wanted to write – again he did not write specifically for children – yet he has entertained children for years. Kids love stuff like ‘Fungus the Bogeyman’, or Father Christmas sitting on the loo! And all the art work for these books is there in gorgeous technicolour.
I’d had forgotten some of the books he’d written, like ‘When the Wind Blows’ and there was the very controversial ‘The Tin-Pot General and the Old Iron Woman’. I’m amazed he got away with that one! For a list of his books see here. And for an interesting article (he doesn’t like Christmas!) see here. Even before these books Raymond Briggs was illustrating books of nursery rhymes. His early days are here too. What a wealth of art, what a range of pictures.
After a wonderful hour in the exhibition, it was time to enjoy Winchester again. It has been nearly a year since I was last here, and apart from my favourite cafe having been turned into a fish and chip restaurant (sad, sad) and the big Debenhams store now being closed, much else is the same. The day was sunny and warm. So, lunch in the cathedral refectory, a long browse in the secondhand book shop behind the cathedral (yes, I did buy books), and a wander to the ruins of Wolvesey Castle followed by a walk along the water meadows, all in good company, completed a beautiful day. Not so many photos this time as I have taken masses over the years.
The exhibition is on until 18th August. It’s a lovely way to spend an hour and be a child again.
My London+ 