Maiden singer hails restored home of poet Blake

Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson expressed his delight at the completion of the restored thatched roof at William Blake's former cottage in Felpham, West Sussex. This historic home served as the residence for Blake and his wife Catherine from 1800 to 1803, a period during which he penned his renowned work 'Jerusalem'. Dickinson, who visited the site recently, described the unveiled roof as "simply beautiful" and the building as "astonishing."

The restoration is part of an extensive £3 million initiative by the Blake Cottage Trust. This project encompasses the entire building, its gardens, and the establishment of an educational centre. The trust secured National Lottery funding earlier this year to address critical structural issues, including urgent repairs to the walls, chimneys, roof, and timber elements. The trust's ultimate goal is to open the cottage to the public in time for the 200th anniversary of Blake's death in 2027.

Dickinson, a long-time admirer of Blake's "non-conformist, visionary, mystical and beautiful" work, noted that his own 1998 album, 'The Chemical Wedding,' drew inspiration from Blake's poetry. He speculated on Blake's reaction to modern rock music, suggesting the poet would appreciate anything that challenges conventional thinking, referencing Blake's own poem "London." The trust hopes the restored cottage will serve as an inspiring space for future generations.