2015 News

  


 

December 2015

  • Living and Loving on the Riviera - Maureen Emerson. Maureen has completed the writing of her new book and has very kindly made the first chapter available for us to read on line. Visit the website at www.livingandlovingontheriviera.co.uk to be enthralled now! Don't forget to watch the video of Maureen talking about her book here on the site too. Click here.

Living and Loving on the Riviera is the story of the American architect Barry Dierks, his English partner Eric Sawyer, and the stunning houses and gardens they designed on the French Riviera during the 1920’s and 1930’s – for those who could afford them. From their own home built into the red rocks of the Estérel mountains and above the Mediterranean, Barry as the architect in the partnership, with Eric as garden designer and business manager, built or remodelled around 60 houses in the south of France. These were occupied by Americans, British and French, many of whom have their own fascinating stories.  Handsome and sociable, Barry and Eric were ‘the two charmers’ of the Riviera social scene in the years between the wars,  indeed leading a charmed life until the Second World War changed

From 'Living & Loving on the Riviera', a new book by Maureen Emerson.
Copyright
© 2015 Maureen Emerson.

November 2015


 

October 2015

  • A glitch with the site hosting has now been fixed - apologies if you have had difficulty reaching it recently.

  • Maureen Emerson's new book, 'Living and Loving on the Riviera' is now finished, from a writers perspective, and is now out with a number of publishers for their consideration. Let's hope Maureen receives a speedy acceptance after all the effort she has put into it.

September 2015

  • The temperatures in the south are starting to fall a, little. It's now around 29c-30c rather than 39c-40c and it has rained!

August 2015

  • A great find - new photograph found in the U.S.A. This photo is an official press photo taken at the famous New York Plaza Hotel fashion show. One of Winifred's 'Cintra' gowns is being modelled. The show was held in the Golden Ballroom on the 9th November 1922 and this photo was taken the day before. The show, put on by Winifred, was to raise money to establish the Soldier's, Sailor's, Airmen's and Marine's club on Lexington Ave. The establishment still exists today. To see more, including the label on the rear, visit the 'Cintra' page or click here.

The NY Plaza fashion show 1922

Miss Josephine Morrison poses in one of Winifred's famous 'Cintra' dresses the day before the Plaza fashion show

  • Author and friend, Julia Stagg, has now published her latest book in the Fogas Chronicles. Click here for full details.

  • Many thanks to the visitor from the U.S.A. who has just made a donation towards the site running costs. Very much appreciated, thank you.

April - July 2015

  • Royal Horticultural Society Members - If you are a member of the RHS or can obtain a copy of the June issue of their magazine 'The Garden', it contains a five page spread on Winifred Fortescue's original garden near Grasse. A good article with much information about the plants and layout. The RHS are running a trip to the gardens of the Riviera in May 2016 but it does not include Winifred's. Full details on their website at https://www.rhs.org.uk

  • The webmaster has been rather busy due to the arrival of a first grandchild in the south of France and the need for visits!

March 2015

  • Rhona Wells recently visited Winifred's grave  at Opio and kindly sent this photograph. At the moment it is covered in flowering cyclamens, many of which she has planted over the years in tribute to Winifred's love of them. We know how much Winifred enjoyed her garden and the Spring flowers - a perfect tribute! Very many thanks to Rhona.

Winifred Fortescue's grave at Opio in Spring 2015

  • In Winifred Fortescue's books she often talks about the lovely carpets of spring flowers in her garden and in the countryside. Here is a perfect example of what she means - in the hills above Nice on the 7th March 2015.

March 2015 in the hills above Nice

March 2015 in the hills above Nice

March 2015 in the hills above Nice

March 2015 in the hills above Nice

“The little fishing villages of the coast, although often very poor, must have had a potent charm in the 1920s and early 1930s.  And in the tranquil hills which rose high above, dotted with their small iron crosses, there was much loveliness. The perfume industry at Grasse was prospering and the harvests of wonderfully scented flowers ran almost throughout the year. These began with violets, then the species hyacinths and jonquils. In June came the roses de mai and orange blossom, mignonette and carnations. In July the gathering of the tiny jasmine flowers was followed by the waxy and delicate tuberoses.  An edition of the English language publication La Saison de Cannes tried to encourage the international set to explore the pine-scented hillsides and seek out at least a few of their 164 villages and the multi-coloured anemones and wild blue orchids on their terraces, backed by the scented open spaces of the garrigue or shrub land. Few did. Apart from sorties to the already fashionable St Paul de Vence, it was the beaches, yachts, casinos, elegant villas and, above all, others of their own kind that were the great attraction.”

From 'Living & Loving on the Riviera', a new book by Maureen Emerson.
Copyright
© 2015 Maureen Emerson.

February 2015

  • The carnival season is under way in the south and the Mimosa is flowering - the days are getting warmer!

February 2015 - the view of the Mimosa from the balcony

February 2015 - the view of the Mimosa from the balcony

January 2015

January 2015 - Nice Harbour at lunchtime

January 2015 - Nice Harbour at lunchtime

January 2015 - The sun setting over the lovely Esterel mountains

January 2015 - The sun setting over the lovely Esterel mountains

 

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