Bath – almost half a century ago.

Found in a Bath charity shop. A folio of 12 prints from drawings by Martin Fisher – with a foreword by Sir Hugh Casson and dated October, 1969.

Sir Hugh – knighted for his work as Director of Architecture for the 1951 Festival of Britain – was architectural consultant to the old Bath Council. This was at the time the city architect’s department came up with the concrete framed Sport Centre on the Rec.

I cannot find out much about Martin – other than that he was an architect and cricket fan. However, thanks to Ann Miles – who came though to the Facebook account – l have her permission to reproduce her comments on Martin.

“Martin was in the Navy but came out and became an architect Married Joan and had a family of ten children. They were both Roman Catholic. He did work for Bath City Council e.g. Batheaston Roman Catholic Church plus others. I understand he did work at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

He painted as a hobby. He did sell some paintings. Bath Cricket Club have portraits of past chairmans he did. l gave the RUH some paintings he did 7 years ago. Martin was captured in japan when in the Navy. Got a medal for it but never talked about it. He was a very modest man but a joy to be in his company. I think he led a interesting life. He did deserve to be recognised for what he did though his life.

I hope this gives you a little bit of a insight of a very talented modest man. He did a quick sketch of the tin church in Bailbrook Lane where l lived. He and his wife came to lunch. It took all of ten minutes – wow.”

Thanks for that Ann. Well, as a tribute to Martin – and to show you a little of how Bath looked back in 1969 – l am publishing his folio of prints.