After moving into our new home in January 2024, a treasure trail of unexpected clues began to lead us closer to our home’s history. A hand painted sign discovered in the garden shed and some ruby red Peggy Angus “Welsh Dragon” wallpaper that appeared from behind a bookcase, were the first hints of a magnificent history. We soon learnt that our home used to be the The Southover Gallery.

The woman behind it all was Deirdre Bland (pronounced deer-dra) the famous model turned gallerist, who ran the gallery between 1973 and 1987. Deirdre succeeded in bringing together acclaimed artists of the day from Duncan Grant and Quentin Bell to Mary Fedden, Urusla Mommens and Julian Trevelyan, treating her guests to whirlwind parties and raucous supper clubs while she sold art like hot cakes.