Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Archie and Wilmont



Archie and Wilmont

There are a curious amount of bells that ring throughout the poetry of Sir John Betjeman, whose photograph is seen above.  It is remarkable how many times they are mentioned.  He even named his autobiography, Summoned by Bells, a fact that has often led me to think that a sweet carillon must have played a continual soundtrack in that most English of Englishman’s head.   A rather romantic idea, but one that seems to fit a gentleman so enamoured of the past, his writings so redolent of a simpler time.    There seemed to be a charming air of whimsy in Betjeman, but maybe I feel that way because of Archibald Ormsby-Gore, the teddy bear that was Sir John’s loyal companion.  Archie famously accompanied him to Oxford and was Evelyn Waugh’s inspiration in the creation of Aloysius, the bear of Brideshead Revisited fame.  Betjeman even wrote a book about his bear, entitled Archie and the Strict Baptists, a title that never fails to put a grin on my face.  His abiding friend, Archie was in Betjeman’s arms when he died.  

The Songwriter and I have a similar, though not as constant, companion in our stuffed monkey, Wilmont.  Wilmont has had the good fortune to travel with us on many occasions, and the photographic evidence of these adventures even produced a calendar for friends one recent Christmas.  Far from considering him merely an example of the strange or eccentric, everyone we meet seems to enjoy Wilmont no end.  Hotel housekeepers tuck him into bed whilst we are away at dinner, sometimes placing a book in his paws.  Once we returned to find Wilmont hopefully grasping the television remote, although most frustratingly for him, the lack of opposing thumbs prevented him from successfully operating the thing. 




Wilmont spends most days on the back cushion of my bedroom chaise, a comfortable postition that affords him a lovely view of the back garden.
  Edward occasionally throws a curious eye his way, but never approaches him.  
He seems to realize without being told that Wilmont, like Archibald Ormsby-Gore before him, is special.




"If a man insisted always on being serious, 
and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, 
he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it."
Herodotus

26 comments:

  1. oh, I so loved this post - Wilmont -I don't think my smile will go away for awhile :)

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  2. Hi,
    I just love the photos of Wilmont ! They are filled with love and they makes me smile happily.

    XO
    Anci

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  3. Oh I remember that Brideshead Revisited Aloysius. Wilmont is fine, and growing finer with time, I think, with all his travels and rest too. Maybe he and Edward have conversations when you and the Songwriter aren't close by. My mom had a couple of special stuffed animals she kept until the end, a Snoopy dog, and a very flat-nosed bee.

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  4. Dear Pamela, I am delighted that you too delight in the poetry of Betjeman - always such great fun - and that you read Evelyn Waugh who, I feel, despite his very sharp tongue [and possibly what was a very unpleasant character] writes so well of the 'Bright Young Things' of the 1920s and 1930s.

    Wilmont is wonderful!!

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  5. I like the idea of a lack of humour causing instability and insanity.Herodotus also had a Greek teddy bear called Stavros!

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  6. You are just so much fun! Loved this!
    I did a post about you and Edward yesterday. Hop over and visit if you get a second.
    Hugs.

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  7. Oh Pamela,
    I just love the way that Wilmont is leaning, nonchalently against the tree....brilliant.
    I loved Sir Jhn Betjeman too. There is a wonderful documentary about him that is often played here, of him reading his poetry, accompanied by some great black and white film.
    Do you know, Pamela ? I don't think that many of your posts go by, without you mentioning something British !! You must be very fond of our little islands and the people they have produced. XXXX

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  8. Wilmont - a suitable name for a serious looking monkey I think.
    By the way - was I you who suggested Marlene and Lotte for my hens' names? If so thank you - they were the ones I chose.

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  9. Wilmont looks most happy on his travels. During our guest house days we had a couple who brought two large bears with them that were even taken on a golf buggy ride and two young women whose bears were dressed for dinner and sat at table!

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  10. I can just tell from the photo that Wilmont and I could become great friends! Wherever did you find him??

    I gave my daughter a small
    baby doll for her 1st Christmas. That doll, cleverly named Baby, has been a part of my daughter's life ever since. Baby has been to college, attended daughter's wedding, gone to Portugal, Mexico, and Costa Rico. I am certain that Baby knows lots of secrets and has felt a lot of tears. Turns out its the one present I gave her over 40 years ago, that she truly loves! Makes me smile too.

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  11. I love how relaxed Wilmont looks on that tree. What a fine young monkey he is.

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  12. I've fallen in love with Wilmont! That's a great photo of himsitting on a deer - is he in Scotland? I must admit that I didn't know about Archibald Ormsby-Gore - it makes one warm to Sir JohnBetjemen to learn something like that.
    Have you ever seen the television programmes he made for the BBC in the 1970s? There's one called Metro-Land about the coming of suburbia to the once rural areas of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Middlesex which Betjemen knew as a child. Another one is Summoned by Bells where he reminisces about his childhood - a visual version of the autobiography that you mention. Both are available on DVD though I'm not sure whether there are versions that would play in the US.

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  13. Thanks again Pamela for turning me on to someone who now I must investigate. English husband already knows him well, me, not at all, but shall look at his works now. I love your whimsy with your Monkey. He is a sweet little chap. Hang in there fair one, summer will be over soon. We are having a blessedly cool one with gentle breezes blowing off the Pacific Ocean. Bliss!

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  14. Wilmont is adorable! Just by looking at his photos I can tell that he knows how special he is.

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  15. Hilarious...who wouldn't love a Wilmont!

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  16. I have a bear..named "Bear" that travels with me - holds my hand on all take offs and landings and is a very good traveler - never complains or gets worn out - all EVERYONE loves him - and will pose for photos with him- construction workers, policemen , servers and doormen alike. Isn't it wonderful to have such a friend? eVerYOne needs one ;-D

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  17. My sister has, Dog.

    He went to college with her.

    Into her 5th decade, Dog still sleeps on her bed.

    Of course I am always happy to reconnect with Dog.

    Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

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  18. Interesting to hear the story behind the unforgettable Aloysius. I love the name Wilmont. My son was once very attached to a stuffed monkey too. I wish it had a better name, but it was “Monkey.” He loved the Tom and Pippo picture books – have you seen them? I saved them because I loved them too.

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  19. SO cute!! and I loved learning about the Brideshead bear.

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  20. OK, so I went to Amazon.com and bought one of his books - "Trains and Buttered Toast: Selected Radio Talks"..for $0.02 + shipping! Can't wait..I had not heard of him, so thank you!

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  21. I'm always drawn to the work of John Betjeman (maybe because we share the same birthday of August 28th) - I love the story of Archibald Ormesby-Gore and him being the influence for Brideshead's Aloysius! Like one or two others who have commented I also love the TV programmes about England, suburbia and metroland. How wonderful to have Wilmont visit such places with you - great photos you have taken of him:)

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  22. My daughter and I did a sock monkey photo essay on our trip to San Francisco, it was so much fun. However, Wilmont's photos make me wish I knew him.

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  23. How you manage in your beautiful writing to touch the heart and make us smile, even laugh, is a little miracle.

    I love the names you give to your animals -- both stuff and the real deal. One of our dogs' names is Charlotte and it was really she who chose it. We tried several others on her: Prune, Plum, Pomme and she would have nothing to do with the fruits on offer.

    We called her Charlotte, just for fun one day and she came bounding toward us.

    Edward, Wilmont -- too marvelous.

    xo,Tish

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  24. Ooops, meant to say "stuffed" but it really almost sounds unkind to say that about Wilmont . . .

    He does oooze personality.

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  25. Ah Pamela...but the question of all questions is if dear Wilmont has travelled to the Scottish Highlands with you??

    Just back, absolutely loved everything about it, thought of you often from Edinburgh to the Spittal of Glenshee ...postcard is making it's way to you :)

    Loved your earlier comment on my Jany Eyre post about Alan Rickman in Sense and Sensibility...he was my favourite too. Now there is an actor I would not mind spotting on a busy English street corner....feel the same way about Bill NIghy too, but I digress.....

    Best for a wonderful weekend to you all :)

    Jeanne :)

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  26. Wilmont is a charming fellow and Archie looks like he must have always been ready for a good time.

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!