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Insight into humble birthplace that helped shape literary giantv
A HUMBLE cottage where one of the greatest poets of the 20th century was born opens it doors to the public tomorrow.
Number one Aspinal Street, in Mytholmroyd, near Halifax, was the birthplace of the late Poet Laureate Ted Hughes, and was where he spent the first eight years of his life.
The house has been transformed into a writer's retreat and holiday home, which will be officially unveiled at 10.30am tomorrow by fellow poet Simon Armitage, patron of The Elmet Trust.
More than 70,000 has been spent on renovating and modernising the premises which the trust, set up two years ago to celebrate the life and work of Hughes, has leased from Calderdale Council. It is expected that the house will attract people from all over the world who want to see the landscape that first inspired Mytholmroyd's most famous son.
Tomorrow's launch is intended to give visitors a chance to look round the house, which combines period features from the 1930s with many of today's mod cons.
Eric Alston, one of the trust's directors, said: "We thought it might be a good retreat for aspiring writers, but equally it can be enjoyed by people who simply want to come and enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Calderdale valley.
"It's not a museum, it's not like Paul McCartney's house in Liverpool, so it hasn't been made to look as it would when Ted lived there."
All proceeds made from letting will go to the trust, a not-for-profit organisation, which is hosting a seven-day festival in Mytholmroyd between October 22 and 28 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Hughes's death.
Hughes's home will be open for the public to view tomorrow and during the festival, as well on other special occasions. For the rest of the time it will be let as a holiday cottage.
Special guests at the festival will include Poet Laureate Andrew Motion and Frieda Hughes, daughter of Hughes and his wife Sylvia Plath, among a host of others.
There will be a range of events for families and children including poetry competitions, art workshops and musical evenings as well as exhibitions, story-telling and guided walks.
A boyhood friend of Hughes, Donald Crossley, 76, said much had changed since they played together in the nearby fields and woods in the 1930s.
He still treasures an inscription Hughes wrote on a book of poems for him, which reads – "When thee and me played in muck, how little we knew our marvellous luck."
Mr Crossley of Caldene Avenue, Mytholmroyd, said: "'It was all hen pens and pigeon cotes then. We used to play cowboys and indians in Red Acre Wood, go camping and make dams. We had a great time together.
"After the war a lot of pre-fabricated homes were put up and the area is not as rural as it used to be, though it is still a lovely part of the valley. Ted was very close to nature from the start.
"It means a great deal that this house is about to go on display though Calderdale Council have not let me have a look inside yet. We have to get the word out about Ted. I still write regularly to his older brother Gerald in Australia."
At the official opening trust members will be on hand to talk about Hughes's life at the house and his time in Mytholmroyd.
Visitors are welcome to look around this historic landmark free and are invited for refreshments after their visit to the Erringden Room at St Michael's Church in Mytholmroyd.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
