Portmeirion is an extraordinary surprise; a colourful and delightful Italian fantasy village on the coast of north Wales.  The creation of one man, the remarkable architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis from the 1920s, Portmeirion is his personal statement of defiance against modernism and what he saw as the increasing ugliness and despoilment of Britain.  Sir Clough opened the hotel there in 1926, and by the 1950s it had become the playground of artists, aristocrats, intellectuals, the fashionable and the merely rich.  Regular visitors included H G Wells, Bertrand Russell and Noel Coward, (who wrote Blithe Spirt at Portmeirion).  Sir Clough's daughter Susan created Portmeirion Pottery, which during the 1960s and 70s was synonymous with cutting-edge ceramic style.  This lecture looks at the place, its architecture and associations as well as Portmeirion Pottery. 

Matthew draws upon some very personal memories (his uncle was Resident Director of Portmeirion for nearly 30 years) to make this a fascinating subject.   

To book this lecture please use the CONTACT page or call 07866 359102