Land Rover  R.I.P.  -The End of an Era

The Telegraph 

October 4

Land Rover, the world's longest-serving vehicle, is to roll off the production line for the last time after a continuous run of 67 years.

After all these years that famous work horse of the countryside is to disappear.Having started life in 1947 as a farming vehicle, painted in colours that were decided due to the availability of WW2 military surplus paint supplies  it has over the years stood as a symbol for English engineering all over the world.

(Above) The Old Landy - Open Edition Print-See Print Gallery

Seen Better Days - Land Rover Series I

Signed Limited Edition Print from a painting originally done to celebrate 50 years of The Land Rover.

Available in the  Print Gallery

'That is not The Old Man of the Moors' I was told by a farming customer one day as he read the title of my picture of Old George  on South Moor
'That's the King of the Moors.'

A few years ago most folk round here that ever drove to Baltonsborough across South Moor will remember getting stuck behind old George on his bike as he wobbled his way along the road in front of them.
Anyone careless enough to  cut him up too close with their car ran the risk of him attacking their vehicle with his trusty walking stick as he made his way to his lonely little red brick cottage on the moor: where he had no power or running water and I am told that some of the  Meals on Wheels ladies were quite  terrified of him.

The local farmers used to pay George to keep an eye on their cattle grazing on the surrounding pastures. Which may account for his home being known as on the OSmaps as Watchwell House, possibly the home of generations of cattle watchers.
I have heard that up North they refer to such characters as 'The Looker' and that when any cattle they 'look' over are sold they get a share of the price.

As the buying up of old run down country cottages became more popular, more than one townie thinking George's place was a deserted and derelict ruin ripe for modernization had a hell of a shock as they tried clean a window with their hand to peer in, only to see a weather beaten old face peering back at them,shaking a fist and telling them to  'b....r off'

Legend has it that one dear lady having made him swerve into the rhyne (Ditch or dyke, elsewhere in the country) had a real shock when she got hold of his leg to help him and his prosthesis came off in her hand.
However they weren't too far from the old Butleigh Cottage hostpital and they say she needed more reatment more  than old George.

As a habitué of the Greyhound at Baltonsborough or The Rose and Portculis at Butleigh George, I am also told, was even known to adjust his limb with binder twine in the bar. 

On finding him lying  in the road one day having taken liberally of Somerset's own amber liquid another farmer shoved him in the back of his Land Rover and took him off to the care of his niece, who promptly administered more cider in an effort to bring him round.

Obviously I have no substantial proof of the stories of the 'King of the Moors' they are just what various customers have told me over the years and I trust that any descendants of George will take this in good humour as a tribute to a local legend 
My picture'George Counting Cows' no longer in print I'm afraid, was not taken from life,it's just a memory image of George as he leant over the gates alongthe Baltonsborough Road watching over the herds.

Artist's Proofs tucked away in the shelves

Now it's over ten years since we moved to Ashcott, I have almost got my studio sorted out and came across some artists proofs of Marcus Barn and The Old Field-Marshall ( only eleven of these) see the print gallery for details.

Fame at Last

My wife and I were driving back from Wells one day when we had to stop for an elderly  farmer and his herd of cows.

He popped his head in the car side window saying "I should av stopped they others- but oi let em thro- but oi ad to stop you zur."

He then asked when we came from and recognising the address he said " Oi know you, you'r wottsis name arn't you. You'r Mr.. you know Mr.. tut  tut Mr?"

In the end my wife helped him out of his memory lapse "Cooper" she prompted.

"That's it Mr Cooper. Oi thort you werr dead!"

Bonsai -  an Art a Hobby or is it a way of life?

Ever since my days at Crispin Hall I have nutured a few of these specimens of what Susan  my dear wife cruely refers to as my Twigs in Pots. Regardless of her disparaging remarks about my little hobby I have decided to put pictures of some of my trees on here from time to time just to show you what else I get upto.

And if you are interested in the art of bonsai visit Taunton and Somerset Bonsai Club's website http://www.somersetbonsaiclub.uk/

© Michael Cooper

All images on this site are copyright the artist, Michael Cooper. The purchase of original paintings does not include the purchase of the copyright. All rights remain the property of the artist and will remain the property of his estate or heirs for 70 years after death
 

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