Hello readers, as The Stratford Artist my favourite subjects are the historic buildings of Stratford-upon-Avon. A few years ago, I started a project to draw and paint all the town's structures that are on Historic England's "listed buildings" schedule. There are over 350 in the town centre alone of which I have dealt with 60 or so.

To add unique interest to my work I do a little research into the history of each building looking for a quirky story, be it fact or fable, which I then illustrate with my little characters.

This is number six in a series of articles featuring a picture and story from my historic buildings collection. I hope you like it.

Number 5 Old Town

Probably the finest surviving 18^th century house in town, Number 5 was built in 1732-34 for local gentleman Mr Abe Makepeace. It is once again a private residence but has between times served as a hotel and a school. It was as a private school for girls that a couple of interesting stories emerged.

Number 5 stands opposite Hall’s Croft, marital home of Shakespeare’s elder daughter Susanna but also the first Stratford home of writer Marie Corelli when she moved here in 1899. Not long after her arrival Miss Corelli found that the noise created by the girls’ piano practice interrupted her writing. She sent a note of complaint across the road. Apparently the school proprietor, the indomitable Mrs Tessa Cameron-Stuart, replied in equally forthright tones! Miss Corelli had met her match and decided to move along the street to The Dower House.

Mrs Cameron-Stuart demonstrated her authority again on 10^th June 1907 when she hosted a meeting in her school with three other women to discuss the suffrage movement. As a result the Stratford branch of the Women’s Freedom League (WFL) was born, with Cameron-Stuart elected president. I understand that this group were known as “suffragists” not “suffragettes”, the former favouring less radical practices. So no chaining themselves to the lampposts outside the Town Hall!

My picture imagines the four founder members of the Stratford Women’s Freedom League setting off from Number 5 with their banner held aloft…”VOTES FOR WOMEN”!

PS: If you enjoy reading about the local history of Stratford you will like the Stratford Heritage Exhibition in Harvard House (as described in my previous article). Open Thursday to Sunday 10.30am to 3.30pm until 28^th September.

Originals or prints from my historic buildings collection are often available and I welcome commissions for portraits of your home or other favourite building. Email me at ken.morgan96@yahoo.com for details.

© Ken Morgan

Ken Morgan, aka The Stratford Artist, is a professional artist working from his studio close to the River Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon. His favourite subjects are the historic buildings and structures in and around his hometown. He works in ink and watercolour. Architectural accuracy is important, but his style brings life to the pictures, often helped by the addition of humorous or quirky characters.

Another thing...can you find the little blackbird which appears in all Ken's pictures?

See more of Ken Morgan's work on Instagram @thestratfordartist.