BB SOCIETY ARCHIVE PHOTOS

The BB Society is pleased to display a range of images from our Archive, in order to reach a wider audience with an interest in the: - author - artist - illustrator - and countryman - Denys James Watkins-Pitchford MBE, ARCA, FRSA, 1905 - 1990.

This first stage of our digitalised archive is only a small proportion of the main collection, some of which is available online. More content will be regularly uploaded as time and resources allow.

Please note that any record contained in this special and intensely personal, archive may contain words, or images of subjects that have been in common use in an earlier era, which could now be considered to be offensive, they should be viewed in the historic context of Rural Life in the early 1900’s.

These images may not be reproduced by any means in whole or in part without permission.

Click on an image for a larger view and more information.

Personal Images of BB

'BB' with his twin Brother Roger approx 1925

The location is unknown but possibly Gordon Hill, Enfield. London where, at that time, he was sharing digs with his brother while he was attending The Royal College of Art, and Roger was working for a horticultural Nurseryman, at Enfield.

Aberscoch, Gwynedd Wales 1938 (1/2)

'BB' On a holiday to this small Coastal village in Wales together with Cecily a year before their marriage.

Aberscoch, Gwynedd Wales 1938 (2/2)

'BB' On a holiday to this small Coastal village in Wales together with Cecily a year before their marriage.

Loch Lomond, Scotland 1939 (1/3)

In the surrounding Highlands and outstanding landscapes, the area is home to red deer and oak woodlands.

Loch Lomond, Scotland 1939 (2/3)

In the surrounding Highlands and outstanding landscapes, the area is home to red deer and oak woodlands.

Loch Lomond, Scotland 1939 (3/3)

In the surrounding Highlands and outstanding landscapes, the area is home to red deer and oak woodlands.

Eskdalemuir, Scotland 1943 (1/2)

A small village in Dumfries and Galloway 10 miles North East of Lockerbie. The natural beauty makes it a popular destination for Walking/ Sporting interests.

Eskdalemuir, Scotland 1943 (2/2)

A small village in Dunfries and Galloway 10 miles North East of Lockerbie. The natural beauty makes it a popular destination for Walking/ Sporting interests.

'BB' in uniform, location unknown

Believed to be around 1943

Bantham, South Devon 1950

Described as having one of the best beaches in South Devon. The location is now in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is described as a typical English Seaside Holiday destination.

Aberglaslyn, Gwynedd, Wales 1938

Some challenging walks to Aberglaslyn Gorge, with the river raging alongside the path, providing considerable views amid the beauty in Snowdonia.

Happisburgh 1938

A small coastal village on the East coast, of Britain. The nearest substantial town is North Walsham. A rare family picture of BB and Cecily, together with his Father and Mother.

'BB' at unknown location 1941

Looking very pensive, with his Spaniel and a Labrador, believed to be on the Cottesbrooke Estate, Northamptonshire.

Loch Long. Argyll and Bute, Scotland 1939 (1/2)

A large body of water which measures approximately 20 miles in length, with a width of between one and two miles.

Loch Long. Argyll and Bute, Scotland 1939 (2/2)

A large body of water which measures approximately 20 miles in length, with a width of between one and two miles.

Loch Awe. Argyll and Bute Scotland 1940

A world famous fishing location in the Scottish Highlands. Location of the legendary Ferrox Brown Trout.

Cottesbrooke, Northamptonshire 1949

Fishing with his daughter Angela

The Rectory. Lamport, Northamptonshire. 1905–1939

Built in the time of Queen Anne by the Isham family, owners of the dominant Lamport Hall that is opposite, The Rectory commands a dominant position overlooking wide-sweeping vistas of the rural landscape that has remained almost unspoilt for centuries. The Rectory was the birthplace of BB and in all his writing this is the Home that had the most influence over BB and he refers to his childhood there in many of his books.

The Rectory. Lamport, Northamptonshire. 1905–1939

Built in the time of Queen Anne by the Isham family, owners of the dominant Lamport Hall that is opposite, The Rectory commands a dominant position overlooking wide-sweeping vistas of the rural landscape that has remained almost unspoilt for centuries. The Rectory was the birthplace of BB and in all his writing this is the Home that had the most influence over BB and he refers to his childhood there in many of his books.

Shrubland House. Welford, Northamptonshire. 1939–1954

Although there was a period after 1926, when BB commenced his studies at the Royal College of Art, he was in lodgings and for a period and later he shared a rented house with his twin brother Roger, he also had lodgings at Rugby, when he took up a position at Rugby School. It was not until his marriage to Cecily in 1939 that he took up a permanent residence at Welford, where he wrote one of his earliest books 'The Countryman’s Bedside Book' in which he recalls the war-time bombing of the area, and in particular a raid on Coventry.

Shrubland House. Welford Northamptonshire. 1939–1954

Although there was a period after 1926, when BB commenced his studies at the Royal College of Art, he was in lodgings and for a period and later he shared a rented house with his twin brother Roger, he also had lodgings at Rugby, when he took up a position at Rugby School. It was not until his marriage to Cecily in 1939 that he took up a permanent residence at Welford, where he wrote one of his earliest books 'The Countryman’s Bedside Book' in which he recalls the war-time bombing of the area, and in particular a raid on Coventry.

Woodford Lodge. Woodford, Kettering, Northamptonshire. 1954-1960s

Woodford Lodge was a large house, built in a very attractive pale grey stone, which provided him the opportunity of having a long studio on the second floor where he could work undisturbed. He developed the garden and pools where he would pursue his Carp Fishing, shooting, and his passion as a naturalist in the quiet rural area around the house. It is at this time that he wrote some of his classic works like 'Confessions of a Carp Fisher', 'Tides Ending' and 'Dark Estuary'.

Woodford Lodge. Woodford, Kettering, Northamptonshire. 1954-1960s

Woodford Lodge was a large house, built in a very attractive pale grey stone, which provided him the opportunity of having a long studio on the second floor where he could work undisturbed. He developed the garden and pools where he would pursue his Carp Fishing, shooting, and his passion as a naturalist in the quiet rural area around the house. It is at this time that he wrote some of his classic works like 'Confessions of a Carp Fisher', 'Tides Ending' and 'Dark Estuary'.

The Round House. Sudborough, Northamptonshire. Mid 1960-1990 (1/2)

A 17th Century tollhouse that is shrouded in mystery positioned on a former turnpike road, and it was here that BB found the solace to pursue his close family life and his artistic interests with pen and brush. His studio was an extension to the house, a hideaway where he painted, and where he wrote many magazine articles, as well as books, namely, 'The whopper, Tyger Tray, and At The Back of Ben Dee'

The Round House. Sudborough, Northamptonshire. Mid 1960-1990 (2/2)

A 17th Century tollhouse that is shrouded in mystery positioned on a former turnpike road, and it was here that BB found the solace to pursue his close family life and his artistic interests with pen and brush. His studio was an extension to the house, a hideaway where he painted, and where he wrote many magazine articles, as well as books, namely, 'The whopper, Tyger Tray, and At The Back of Ben Dee'

The Round House. Sudborough, Northamptonshire. Mid 1960-1990

A 17th Century tollhouse that is shrouded in mystery positioned on a former turnpike road, and it was here that BB found the solace to pursue his close family life and his artistic interests with pen and brush. His studio was an extension to the house, a hideaway where he painted, and where he wrote many magazine articles, as well as books, namely, 'The whopper, Tyger Tray, and At The Back of Ben Dee'