The BB Society and H. E. Bates Group present a free two-day exhibition of Northamptonshire’s Ideal Countrymen
Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 July 2018
Lamport Hall, Northamptonshire
The BB Society and the H. E. Bates Group brought together accomplished authors, artists, historians, actors and others at Lamport Hall to celebrate the county’s literary and artistic heritage of ‘BB’ and ‘HE’. There are many parallels between two of the most notable Northamptonshire authors of the twentieth century. They were born in the same year 1905. Denys Watkins-Pitchford known by all his admirers as ‘BB’ was born in the village of Lamport, Northamptonshire. H. E. Bates was born into a ‘boot and shoe’ world at Rushden, Northamptonshire and was affectionately known as ‘HE’.
Robin Page, author, journalist, & broadcaster, talked about the relevance of BB and HE to the English countryside today and formally opened the exhibition. There were also displays of pictures, books and memorabilia, as well as film shows and illustrated talks throughout the weekend, including an hour-long compilation of Southern Television’s acclaimed production of BB’s Brendon Chase.
