01460 258648 
Sir Clough Williams-Ellis 1883-1978. An Architectural Maverick, Conservationist and Genius
Description
Sir Clough Williams-Ellis has never received the attention and notice that his lengthy career, not just as an architect and conservationist but also as a writer and broadcaster, so richly deserves. From his most famous creation Portmeirion to almost unknown villages such as Cornwell in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds and hundreds of other buildings across Britain and around the world he would develop a particularly idiosyncratic style. His many publications, such as ‘England and the Octopus’ (published in 1928) revealed his lifelong passion and involvement in conservation. He was instrumental in the setting up of British National Parks after 1945. His life also saw him undertake a distinguished and highly decorated wartime military career in World War One.
Over the course of the weekend we will examine his prodigious international output of buildings, the range of these buildings and the growing concern throughout his architectural career for issues around the conservation of not just buildings but the countryside. Alongside this we will examine his extensive publications-books, articles and papers. There will also be an opportunity to listen to a series of radio broadcasts made on board a ship whilst returning from New Zealand in 1948.
Residential Fees From: £358. Non Residential: £240
Course runs from Dinner on Friday to Lunch on Sunday.
Tutor information
Mike Hope author, lecturer, curator and designer spent over twenty-five years lecturing and holding senior management posts in four Universities (Staffordshire, Portsmouth, Nottingham Trent and Plymouth) and has spent over thirty years delivering Summer School Programmes. He has lectured around the world and was a founder board member of The European Academy of Design. Alongside an extensive publication list, he has researched, designed and curated many exhibitions. He is a lecturer for Travel Editions Art & History Abroad programme and indeed their Art History programmes here in the UK. He lectures regularly to many other organisations such as the Fine Art Society. He has, since 2010, run his own tour/lecture/research company, ‘Spirit of the Place – Cultural Tours with a Difference’. He also has his own publishing company, ‘Res Mirabilis’.
He is currently a member of the Exeter Diocesan Advisory Board and Advisor on stained glass to the Diocese of Exeter.
Most recently (September 2021) he has been admitted as a Freeman to the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass.
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