The Story of Ely Cathedral by Rena Gardiner

Rise, fall, burn, build, rise

Paradise is a stone's throw 

Love is set in stone

The Story of Ely Cathedral

Rena Gardiner

WORKSHOP PRESS 1981

An illustrated guide to and history of Ely Cathedral, one is struck immediately by the thought that Rena Gardiner's Story of Ely Cathedral must have been a labour of love, being so beautifully and meticulously worked. Indeed, it seems that the story of Rena Gardiner is equally of interest, being described as a "one-woman publishing house" – she was a unicum. She moved to Devon in the 50s and taught art, as well as setting up her own workshop, which eventually became her sole focus. There, she took up to two years at a time to produce sumptuously illustrated guidebooks for clients such as the National Trust, doing all the work herself, including printing by hand.

The Story of Ely Cathedral was designed and printed for Ely Cathedral and came out in 1981, a guide both to the cathedral and its times. "The story of Ely Cathedral starts with the founding of a monastery thirteen hundred years ago," encompassing the legends and buildings and setbacks and people of those hundreds of years, and leaves one informed as to why things look the way they do now and in what context the architecture exists. Indeed, if you do visit, which if you get the chance, you really ought to, you will surely be reminded to keep a look out for the different styles of arches, to peep at the misericords, as well as to admire the octagon.

dorsetlife.co.uk/2015/12/portrait-of-the-artistof-a-portrait-in-dorset/ 

© Bryn Roberts 2023

Published 6 July 2023