Water Colour painted by Helen Allingham in 1896

Copy of original Water Colour painted by Helen Allingham in 1896.

The cottage was at the time occupied by the local carrier "Duke" Symes - who was a local celebrity and would-be Dictator - hence the nickname "Duke" (see 'This Happy England' as painted by Helen Allingham, R.W.S., with descriptions by Marcus B. Huish, LLB. Published in 1903 by Adam & Charles Black, London).

Original picture was auctioned at Christies in 1981 for £3,000.