5 minute read
A VISIT TO UPPINGHAM There’s
Culture & Community in UPPINGHAM v
This month sees Uppingham Fatstock taking place in the centre of this diminutive Rutland town. But there’s plenty to see and do beyond the livestock, say two of its proudest ambassadors, the town’s Mayor Liz Clarke and local gallery owner Mike Goldmark...
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It’s home to around 4,500 people and has a thriving town centre. Uppingham may be relatively small, but it’s perfectly formed with plenty of art and soul...
“FIFTY YEARS giving out free coffee!” says Mike Goldmark. “Doesn’t seem like a great business model!”
Don’t knock it... it’s worked! The owner of Goldmark Art this year celebrates 50 years in the town, arriving in Uppingham to set up a second hand book shop before making a deliberate segue into art in the mid-1980s. That was partly motivated by the pages falling out of the second hand book market with the advent of the internet. About 20 years ago, the pots arrived too, and now Goldmark’s oevre is artisan ceramics produced by about 12 of the world’s greatest ceramicists. “I saw the business model for ceramics. Potters took the risk and shopkeepers took the profit. That was wrong, so we very deliberately did things differently. We pay a monthly retainer to some of the best artists in the business, and we provide galleries with complete exhibitions out of the box.” “Because of that we’ve become one of the leading galleries in the country, certainly for ceramics,” says Mike. And elsewhere in Goldmark’s range of specialisms is the publishing of fine art books and artisan printing including lithography completed on its 19th century heritage press. There’s a full-time camera operator and editor, with Mike’s son Jay serving as producer/director of the company’s films. Goldmark is also current in discussion with Netflix with a view to producing content for the streaming service. Other plans for the future include the creation of a third floor, providing more exhibition space and a new rooftop terrace for hosting the gallery’s live music acts. Recently Goldmark hosted probably the world’s best Norwegian squeezebox jazz musician for a live set, and jazz saxophonist Iain Ballamy. >>
The Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul.
>> Otherwise, the gallery has over 60,000 items, including original prints by Matisse or Picasso, or one-off pots that are beautiful, yet functional enough to be used every day, from £100 or less. Everyone, Mike reckons, should be able to enjoy a bit of beauty in their life. And a free cup of coffee, too. Speaking about spending money – or, at least, spending a penny – Uppingham Mayor Liz Clarke is eagerly anticipating feedback on the Market Place’s newly refurbished loos. “The town clerk and I chose the colour scheme together. So we hope everyone approves. We’ve gone for a blue/grey theme on the exterior and a grey/teal colour scheme on the interior. Someone asked if, being as this is Uppingham, there would be a Jo Malone candle in there... which we thought was quite telling in terms of what people think of the town.” Instead of cutting a ribbon for the official opening of the loos, and taking the inaugural tinkle, Liz is contemplating an opening ceremony, cutting some loo roll strung across the door, with a big bow and the assistance, à la Andrex puppy, of her cockapoo, Daisy. Arriving in Uppingham in 2012, and so celebrating her tenth anniversary in the town, Liz soon fell in love with the place and was elected to the town council in 2019 after raising an issue of parking on her road and becoming inspired by the direct relevance of local government to people’s lives, as opposed to national or party politics. Liz and Daisy enjoy walks around Wardley Wood, and on The Ridge, but a new dog walking field has also been established on Seaton Road, too, which is totally safe and enclosed and can be booked by dog owners. “I love Uppingham’s sense of community, the fact that people smile at each other and make conversation,” says Liz. “There’s a real sense that the town is cherished by its residents. When a coffee chain came into the town there was real concern for the independent cafés and restaurants, and people really feel strongly about preserving Uppingham’s look and feel, and its character.” >>
>> “As a Town Council, we need to stay in control of the town’s growth to ensure it remains sympathetic to Uppingham’s look and feel. We’ve a Neighbourhood Plan which anticipates the community’s needs for the next 25 years, our aim being growth, but also the protection of what makes Uppingham unique, too.”
Liz and her husband Nick both run a PR & Communications agency, working with the Church of England as well as for a few other clients. They’re both involved with Uppingham Parish Church, too.
The Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul was built in the 14th century, heavily restored by Henry Parsons in 1861 and now carries a Grade II* listing. Within the churchyard is the original schoolroom of Uppingham School, founded in 1584 by Archdeadon Robert Johnson. The original building now carries the most precious Grade I listed status. 1815 saw Uppingham take on Oakham in the first recorded cricket match between the two, and they’ve remained friendly rivals ever since. The 19th century also saw the music school established and the creation of the present School House and Victoria Block. The school has continued to develop right up to the opening of a new Science Centre in 2014. Today it’s home to over 800 pupils, and is alma mater to Stephen Fry, Donald Campbell and Rick Stein. The town, like the school itself, is clearly inspiring, and is now home to a number of galleries on the A, B, C (Arts, Books, Crafts) trail, available online.
Highlights include Garners Fine Art, the Uppingham Antiques Centre, Peter Barker Fine Art, Rebecca Ivatts’ Queen Street Gallery, The Rutland Bookshop, Goldmark Gallery, and no fewer than nine crafts specialists. It’s a truly unique town in which to enjoy fine art, free coffee... or just... a quick tinkle. n
