THE JAGO STONE STORY GATHERS MORE PACE IN SEPTEMBER 2020 - PART TWO - THANK YOU, DEIDRA AND BELINDA

Following hard on the heels of yesterday's blog-post, here are two more Jago Stone stories, complete with images, that have come my way in recent days through the medium of cyberspace. 

On Saturday, 19 September 2020, Deidra Messenger in the USA left this comment on my blog-post that referenced the twelve 5-star reviews for my biography on Amazon:

'Wow - this is a definite blast from the past. Dad was stationed at Heyford from 1975-79. We lived way off base in Buckinghamshire, in the tiny village of Ludgershall. I am not sure how it came about but it was the done thing to have a Jago Stone watercolor of your house. We had two done - a street view and one from the back gardens. We still have them. I remember being intrigued by an artist drawing pictures of our house. I overheard Dad talking to Mom about Jago's past - something about stealing from churches. Now I think about it, that is probably why Mom didn't let me stand around for too long watching him work.'

On Tuesday, 22 September, 2020, Deidra added to her story:

'I was 11 years old and very intrigued with the idea of an artist in the back garden. My mother had to rescue him several times from my inquisitiveness. He made an impression on my young mind. He was wearing a white shirt and a red bandana (cravat?) the first day. If I remember correctly, a denim shirt on the second day. My dad invited him in for lunch on the second day and while he accepted lunch, he chose to eat outside as 'it's too lovely to be inside'.

I suppose now the cynic in me figures he may have chosen to do this to remain completely blameless in case something were to come up 'missing'.

He thought my sandwich of peanut butter and jelly sounded unique, but revolting. And he explained the basics of perspective to me (very simply) - at least until my mother hollered at me to 'leave the poor man alone'.'

A brilliantly detailed memory - many thanks, Deidra! In our correspondence, Deidra explained that her mom still had both pictures but was in a different state and two hours away. Somehow, I was gifted images of both pictures the same day. Here is the first, the front of the house from across the street:

Burborough Farm, Ludgershall, Buckinghamshire - Specially painted for the Messenger family
- Jago Stone (1976)

And here is the second image that I received through cyberspace, showing the back of the house from

the terraced garden:

Burborough Farm, Ludgershall, Buckinghamshire - From the gardens - Specially painted for the Messenger family - Jago Stone (1976) 

Thank you so much, Deidra - and Deidra's mom - for allowing us to share in the enjoyment of this Jago Stone artwork.

Then, late last Thursday evening, 24 September, 2020, I received this email from Belinda Brown in theUK:

'Hi Rob,

I have an original Jago watercolour of my childhood home from 1982. I remember him clearly knocking at our door and selling us this beautiful painting.
I still have it on my wall and was interested in his story. I’m about to buy your book but wanted you to know that there is another Jago out there.
I can send you an image of it if you would like to see it, I’m sure there are thousands out there but nevertheless…

Would be interested in hearing from you,

Kind regards,
Belinda Brown'

As it happens, last Thursday was my birthday. What a cool present this was turning out to be! 

Email correspondence ensued. Here is a descriptive gem (Belinda was 11 years old at the time):

'Hi Rob,

Attached is the photo of my painting from Jago.

I remember seeing a rather disheveled/bohemian man standing outside our house. As a child my vivid imagination thought - ironically- that he was checking the house out to burgle us. 

It was September 1982, I remember it as I'd literally just started my first period (apologies if that's a bit much), I was trying to tell my stepmom when he knocked at the door to sell us his painting. I think she invited him in for a cup of tea. He had an air about him like you could be comfortable around him yet mysterious. TBH, not a great recollection as my mind was elsewhere!!

I have always loved the piece, I loved the house too and when my parents died I had to have it.

I have no interest in selling it but is there a value on his work as I would like to keep it safe.

As I said, I'm really looking forward to reading your book, let me know what you think about my painting.

Kind regards,

Belinda'

And here is the image of the painting by Jago of Rose Cottage, Pury End, Northamptonshire:

Rose Cottage, Pury End, Northamptonshire - Jago Stone (1982)

Thank you very much, Belinda, for your story and for the image - much appreciated!   

I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THIS SECOND PART OF THE PAIR I HAVE POSTED THIS WEEKEND. THE JAGO STORY DOES SEEM TO HAVE LEGS. EVEN AS I WROTE THIS POST TODAY, MY LATEST WEBMAIL CAME IN FROM A GUY WHO SAYS HE AND HIS FRIEND KNEW JAGO WELL, BACK IN THE 60S AND 70S. WATCH THIS SPACE - DO SIGN UP TO MY AUTHOR'S NEWSLETTER. PLEASE PRESS HERE.

AND IF YOU HAVE NOT YET GOT A COPY OF THE BIOGRAPHY OF JAGO STONE - OR WOULD LIKE TO GIFT A COPY TO A FRIEND OR MEMBER OF THE FAMILY - HERE IS A LINK (LOOK ON THE LEFT-HAND-SIDE) - PLEASE PRESS HERE.