Thank you so much for this thoughtful and big-hearted portrait of my beloved grandmother, my dear stepgrandfather (whom my siblings and I always called, at his insistence, “Prickly Whiskers”), and their extraordinary “social experiment” in South Devon. Just last month, Dartington Hall celebrated the centenary of its reinvention as a singular sort of utopian community, and while it has endured an unenviable number of “negative outcomes” over the course of those hundred years, it can surely also claim more than its fair share of genuine, and meaningful, triumphs. May it live on for another hundred or more!
Goodness, Dorothy, how lovely to hear from you! You should see that there was a lot of love and respect for your mother in the comments. I really enjoyed writing about her.
A charming story, beautifully told. I have been to Dartington many times and always find it enchanting. Next time (i hope there will be one) it will have an extra dimension. Thank you Sarah
Once again I am in awe of your ability to route out the story of wonderful individuals who made the world a better place for all of us. Thanks you Sarah.
Thank you. It is simply sublime how you weave together the threads of peoples' lives, their projects and History. I must now visit Dartington. I have a piece of glassware called a "Hoggit" which has its own naval tradition...and I always remember that a Lady Dartington appeared in Playboy-or was it the Head's wife?
What a delight to read the story of Dorothy to discover her role in establishing The New Republic and then the connection to Cornell, Willard Straight, and the study of agriculture. I sense Dorothy's spirit in the Grass Roots School in Ithaca (though it is not a boarding school). Such a fascinating story.
As a postscript, you could look at the recent shenanigans with the Dartington Trust versus Schumacher College, the environmental studies institute that was offering degree courses with the charismatic Satish Kumar as the face of the institute.
Also the sale of some Dartington estate land to property developers who have built some rather questionable dwellings. Over the last few years a shortage of funds has also led to downsizing, including closing the White Hart pub, and most of the art / craft shops in the Ciderpress Center. Perhaps the saddest loss is the recent ending of the world renown Summer Music School programs. I remember the BBC used to broadcast events, and I remember one summer in the late 60s - 70s a programme that featured Daniel Barenboim with Jaqueline du Pre. It seems the best is behind Dartington, except one bright spot is a former Dartington School pupil helping set up and running the new gallery / museum in the Elmhirst’s former living quarters in the main hall. Reservations available on line. Well worth a visit, especially on a fine spring / summers day with the gardens in full bloom.
You tell the best stories, Sarah. What an inspiring couple!
Yes we need more Dorothy's & Leonards. A very interesting story beautifully told. Thank you Sarah.
Thank you so much for this thoughtful and big-hearted portrait of my beloved grandmother, my dear stepgrandfather (whom my siblings and I always called, at his insistence, “Prickly Whiskers”), and their extraordinary “social experiment” in South Devon. Just last month, Dartington Hall celebrated the centenary of its reinvention as a singular sort of utopian community, and while it has endured an unenviable number of “negative outcomes” over the course of those hundred years, it can surely also claim more than its fair share of genuine, and meaningful, triumphs. May it live on for another hundred or more!
Goodness, Dorothy, how lovely to hear from you! You should see that there was a lot of love and respect for your mother in the comments. I really enjoyed writing about her.
I mean your grandmother, of course! Sorry!
A charming story, beautifully told. I have been to Dartington many times and always find it enchanting. Next time (i hope there will be one) it will have an extra dimension. Thank you Sarah
Once again I am in awe of your ability to route out the story of wonderful individuals who made the world a better place for all of us. Thanks you Sarah.
Thanks Wendy. I suppose I read about a lot of people but I only like writing about the heroes!
How very interesting. It is a place that has had its ups and downs, certainly. Didn't Tom Cox live there for a while?
Ooh, rings a bell...I might message...
What a lovely story. So glad to know more about this place.
should be a film
Thank you. It is simply sublime how you weave together the threads of peoples' lives, their projects and History. I must now visit Dartington. I have a piece of glassware called a "Hoggit" which has its own naval tradition...and I always remember that a Lady Dartington appeared in Playboy-or was it the Head's wife?
What a delight to read the story of Dorothy to discover her role in establishing The New Republic and then the connection to Cornell, Willard Straight, and the study of agriculture. I sense Dorothy's spirit in the Grass Roots School in Ithaca (though it is not a boarding school). Such a fascinating story.
As a postscript, you could look at the recent shenanigans with the Dartington Trust versus Schumacher College, the environmental studies institute that was offering degree courses with the charismatic Satish Kumar as the face of the institute.
Also the sale of some Dartington estate land to property developers who have built some rather questionable dwellings. Over the last few years a shortage of funds has also led to downsizing, including closing the White Hart pub, and most of the art / craft shops in the Ciderpress Center. Perhaps the saddest loss is the recent ending of the world renown Summer Music School programs. I remember the BBC used to broadcast events, and I remember one summer in the late 60s - 70s a programme that featured Daniel Barenboim with Jaqueline du Pre. It seems the best is behind Dartington, except one bright spot is a former Dartington School pupil helping set up and running the new gallery / museum in the Elmhirst’s former living quarters in the main hall. Reservations available on line. Well worth a visit, especially on a fine spring / summers day with the gardens in full bloom.