Above: Chequer House, King Street, King's Lynn. Photo: Geoff Noble
Well, you know, ‘Lonely Planet’ has recently named East Anglia a top destination choice for 2025 and placed it in the prestigious ‘Best in Travel’ list. In effect spanning Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire all together boast unspoiled coastlines, lush rolling countryside and various characterful villages. In particular, Norfolk is celebrated for its sweeping beaches, charming windmills and iconic historical places like ‘The Chequer House’ in King’s Lynn, not far from the enchanting coasts where the most curious visitors have the unique and special opportunity to practice ‘beach meditation’ and ‘breathe’ the local peaceful atmosphere. No lies, that’s pretty much true: that immaculate panorama does provide the ideal backdrop for recharging mind, body and soul.
Sometimes I’m really persuaded that the inner elegance of all the artworks on display at The Chequer and the dazzling landscape are able to combine together and create a magical spell. Try to think about nature’s sounds: the delicate waves and the sparkling wind, the sweet call of seabirds and the cool air. You know, many pictures beautifully realized by local painters are an absolutely romantic depiction of this genuine scenery with its warm light, colourful sand, powerful nature’s energy. Everything you see at The Chequer exhibitions is the inevitable result of the surrounding environment and often inspired by the beauty of the area.
So let’s start our story by glancing at the colourful picture below:
What about the rabbit hare?
You’ll most likely comment: ‘Sorry, it doesn’t ring any bells!’
No worries, I’m going to explain it in a few words: bear in mind that, according to mythology, Eostre created the first rabbit from an egg-laying bird. Then, the Earth Mother made our hare a royal animal due to its wisdom in the affairs of environmental renewal. That’s why the lovely hare became an emblem of love, resurrection, and rebirth. In short, a symbol of abundance, speed and agility able to help us with new beginnings, transformations and rebirth by bringing fresh energy into our lives. Thus, we can affirm this animal is the most suitable for the ‘effervescent and fizzy’ Spring Season and Easter, and definitely embodies the moral virtues inspiring all kind of art. As a matter of fact, you can’t deny that ‘Beauty is Truth, Truth is Beauty, that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know’. Wise words! To John Keats, once we experience beauty, its effect stays with us forever bringing comfort and joy. Besides, as Beauty lies in permanence and Art is eternal, it is my belief that the Chequer House Gallery is undoubtedly ‘the historic home of Art’ whose cultural mission is preserved by talented art pioneers and resilient artists, who are inspired by the superlative Beauty of the surrounding area itself. This leads to the conclusion there’s a close and strong correlation among the sublime panorama, the local artwork and the Gallery, all in a better perspective of vitality and energy.
Now, let’s enter the Chequer House.
First, why ‘Chequer House’? No wonder, it takes its name from the Checker Street, that was the old name of King Street and obviously reflects the origins of this area as a planned settlement.
Built around 1980, Chequer House is a four storey L’shaped office building behind the east side of King Street and faced in a machinemade plum-coloured brick. As you can see, the entrance front is neo-Georgian, faced in a similar dark brick to the office building at its rear. So it’s absolutely unique and particular. Almost every ‘neighbour’ of Chequer House is listed and graded, therefore time flies in good company!
What about the special materials?
As we all know, King’s Lynn is a medieval port city (once called ‘Bishop’s Lynn) which has managed to preserve an urban passage exceptionally rich in merchants’ houses reflecting in the water of the Ouse. In fact, in the Middle Ages, that town was a very active port, a member of the Hanseatic League for the export of textiles and wool. It should not be surprising that it was protected by walls, still visible in Wyatt Street.
Thus, the first thing that needs to be done is indisputably to understand that a port meant that building materials have long been imported to supplement local supplies. For this reason, there is plenty of stone, brick, roof coverings and paving materials.
Also, it should not be forgotten that the stately Gallery, in the heart of this historic town, has been hosting the awesome West Norfolk Artists Association and its charming and shimmering exhibitions since December 2024 (the upper ground floor is home to the WNAA and holds regular exhibitions throughout the year; instead, on Level 1, you can find a further gallery showcasing indipendent art and sculptures).
And this fact poses the fundamental question: how does it look?
Well, you know, we may simply say that’s a fantastic and spacious old building with impressive and mesmerizing pictures on display: the white walls are covered with a neverending series of small, big and large ‘chefs d’oeuvre’ throughout the year. This goes to show that, through the artist’s eyes, this house can be considered a great and praiseworthy airy addition to that town (highly recommend a visit!). Each exhibition hosts a stunning collection in an eclectic mix of styles, themes and mediums. Over and above, it’s clear that the most significant point is: the sublime quality of artworks on show is a direct consequence, I mean a sort of product, inspired by local coastlines and countryside. As every piece initially ‘comes to light’ into the artist’s mind, we can affirm that, in this enchanting territory, each artist is always able to capture the essence of reality and a moment in time, and to fix it and his/her emotions on the canvas for eternity.
Finally, let’s spend some precious lines to celebrate the awesome West Norfolk Artists Association.
Okay, what’s the WNAA?
In a few words, WNAA means a splendid hub for artistic expression and a majestic treasure trove for art enthusiasts. So creativity plus community are the key point of the WNAA mission. Keep in mind that this superlative Association, born in October 2000, welcomes all artists, from amateurs to students and professionals (in particular Norfolk Artists!)
This fabulous Association was dreamed and realized by Mr Michael Bell.
Let’s read all together his words:
‘The WNAA grew out of my early involvement with Open Studios when, in 1998, I took over from Anabel Symington as the representative of West Norfolk on the North Norfolk sub-committee of Open Studios. It was a time of crisis for Open Studios, with chaos in the central management in Norwich and a feeling among many artists that they had been badly let down. Indeed it was widely feared that the whole system was on the point of collapse. In an attempt to find a solution, the then arts officer for North Norfolk, Jan Legge, hosted a meeting of artists in Cromer, the principal outcome of which was the launching of a research project into exhibition spaces in North Norfolk under the title the North Norfolk Exhibition. Project which subsequently gave rise to the Salthouse exhibitions. Being involved in Open Studios, Anabel and I attended and were impressed by the Arts Officer’s commitment to promoting the arts in her region. We asked if we could be involved but to our dismay we were told “No you can’t: you’re from West Norfolk. Talk to your own arts officer.” So, having found out who she was, we rang Jane Falkner for an appointment and asked “Why is all the money being spent on the performing arts? What about the visual arts?” We were told: “I don’t know where they are – they won’t come out of the woodwork!” However she seemed very much in favour of doing something specifically for visual artists, so we discussed the possibility of organising a research project for West Norfolk similar to the one in North Norfolk and she promised to help us obtain the funding for it.
But there was an important condition: funding could not be given to individuals. It had to be channelled through an organisation . . . ideally an artists’ association[…]’ (from The West Norfolk Artists Association website https://www.westnorfolkartists.org/)
Well done!
Let’s finish this delightful tour with these glorious quotes about Norfolk:
‘For the traveller in search of the English Heritage, the county is a paradise. It has great cliffs and chalk downs, a history far older than any written documents, delightful rivers, unique still waters, low-lying fens, captivating towns, a historic roll of famous folk and a group of Saxon, Norman, and medieval churches crammed with beauty that makes England the matchless country in the world.’ (Arthur Mee)
‘I am a Norfolk man and Glory in being so.’ (Horatio Nelson)
Don’t forget that King’s Lynn has been the real location starring in many TV shows: Copperfield and Martin Chuzzlewit, Al Pacino’s Revolution was shot there, while Out Of Africa with Robert Redford and Meryl Street was part shot at nearby Castle Rising.
Furthermore, that town was the birthplace of Roger Taylor, drummer for the rock band Queen. Instead, Actor Michael Caine was evacuated there during WWII and attended King Edward V11 Grammar School.
That’s all, folks! I do hope this presentation has provided you some useful info concerning one of the greatest building in this county and, in my view, a definitely splendid home proudly devoted to Art and Beauty and able to bring vitality, new energies and resilience in order to make the world a kinder and more shining place.
Well, if you come from London and want to spend your holidays in Norfolk, no worries! That’s a stunning idea: let’s catch one of the cheap trains leaving from Gatwick Airport (it takes an average of 4 hours over a distance of around 113 miles).
If you are fond of walking, feel free to walk: your journey will take two days…Anyway bear in mind that the most suitable and easiest way is to choose the car and follow these instructions: Gatwick Airport Way Roundabout >> M23 to London/Brighton/Crawley/M25/Dartford/Heatrow Arpt. >> junction M23 >> exit 8 M25 to Dartford/M11/Maidstone/M20/Westerham>> junction M25 >> junction A21 >> exit Cambridge/Harlow/Stansted Arpt. >> junction M11 to Stansted Arpt./Harlow/Cambridge >> exit 9 to Newmarket/Norwich/A11 >> junction A142 to Ely/Newmarket >> Fordham Rd >> Newmarket Rd >> A142 >> The Shade >> Stuntney Causeway >> turn right on Queen Adelaide Way >> turn right on Prickwillow Rd >> turn left kn Branch Bank >> at the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Lynn Rd/A10 >> A10 >> at the Hardwick Roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Hardwick Rd/A19 >> at the roundabout take the 3rd exit ontoSouth Gates A148 >> at the roundabout take the Out South Gates A148 >> County Ct Rd >> turn right on South St.
(For train lovers: don’t forget to take a look at the Railworld Wildlife Haven, located alongside Peterborough Nene Valley Station: it has 2,000 sqft of model railway, with hands-on exhibits. They have the unique hover train RTV 31)
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The cultural blog Downton Gazette was created in 2022 and concerns whatever can be referred to DOWNTON ABBEY, of which it shares the brave motto : ‘ You can change your life if you want to’ ( Mr Bates to Gwen, series 1). This website, also devoted to Theatre,Music and Art, supports the art activity of FONTANA SHELTER(in loving memory of the Italian painter Luigi Fontana), a member of West Ox Arts Gallery in Bampton, Oxfordshire Artweeks in Oxford, Opulent Art Gallery (London), Artsy (New York), Paks Gallery Cannes Biennale, Jaamzin Studio (Singapore), Parallax Art Fair in London. Previously on ITVX ANGLIA Region in Spring 2024, now on OX LOVES and FYNE TOWNS WEBSITE. Don’t forget Downton Gazette’s latest books ‘Shining Ocean’ and ‘Guiding Lights- A Tribute to Sir Matt Busby’.
CONTACT: https://downtongazette.altervista.org
downtongazette@gmail.com