Letter From Ely – With Love

Do you remember the Coneys of Woollards Lane who left Great Shelford about ten years ago? Probably not, but you may remember our 1931 Morris Minor, which took me to Cambridge for thirty-four years on most days.

When the children had all grown up, we moved in my semi retirement to Ely, to experience urban life.

This was partly so I could develop my pop-up gallery in a more tourist area and also Hazel and I fancied a change, having spent our married life in three houses all in the same street.

I have been making paintings about family life and family relationships since 1969 and I decided that now was the time to show them to the public.

You can see more information on how to visit from my website – www.tedconeysfamilyportraits.co.uk

Although I don’t reopen for the new season until next April you can still visit because we have now developed a new Virtual Tour, which is available from my website. You even get to see my Morris Minor again, as in the nine minute film, I fly back in time in it, Tardis like, to 1930s Hollywood.

We still have strong links with Great Shelford though, as we help at the Feast every year and Hazel has many friends in the village.

Most years in June, I cycle through the village at 7am each morning on my way to Cambridge Assessment, so I can see how Great Shelford is weathering the storm (very well, as it turns out)

My bicycle is also very old and as I can no longer lift it up the steps at Whittlesford Station, I have a very nostalgic trip through the Shelfords, remembering all those happy excursions when the children were learning to ride.

Ted Coney