There is a singular connection between Middle Coombe Farm and the acclaimed artist, Derek Jarman. Michael Derek Elworthy Jarman.
In his book The Last Of England, Jarman writes about Coombe:
“My great-grandparents had done that. Left their farm in Middle Coombe, Uplowman, Devon, to go to New Zealand. I have an extraordinary picture of them taken in the 1850’s. I decided on The Last Of England.”
This connection started to reveal itself when a Mr David Jarman, who knew he was related to Derek Jarman, came to see us 2 years ago. He was visiting from his home in New Zealand and had been researching his family history. He discovered they originally came from Middle Coombe, Devon and wanted to see his ancestral home. Fascinated, he turned up and knocked on our door. He came with the information for essay writers he had regarding his family history. By 1815 his family of Elworthys had married Jarmans and were living at Middle Coombe Farm, Uplowman. David believes the Elworthys were here as early at 1700. Many of whom are buried in the local Uplowman churchyard.
A short time later, Judith Noble, one of our Celebrants who performs ancient wedding traditions of hand-fasting under our ancient Oak tree, and who is also a leading film Production Executive, presented a paper at Cambridge regarding the films of Derek Jarman and his fascination with alchemy. Derek Jarman’s life was spent in complete adoration and fascination of John Dee, Elizabeth I’s alchemist.
Nature and its magic were integral to many of his films (particularly The Tempest). During her research paper writing, Judith also picked up on the Middle Coombe connection and contacted us immediately, thrilled about her discovery.
(Dr John Dee (1527-1608/9).
John Dee was a much respected scientist in his own time. He conceived the universe as being based on essentially magical principles, though believed that many of its rules and laws could be approached through mathematics.
Alchemy is its truest sense is an act of transmutation & transformation.
The search for the elixir of life and the philosophers stone.
It is wonderful to find such a link. Middle Coombe Farm is an amazing place. It is a gift of nature. Being here is to be immersed in nature and its ability to regenerate; transform itself.
It is vital to us that we keep this part of England and its sustainable methodologies alive and safe for those who follow, and allow others to experience Middle Coombe in all its natural beauty.
Derek Jarman
Derek Jarman’s creativity spanned decades and genres – painter, theatre designer, director, film maker, writer and gardener. From his first one-man show at the Lisson Gallery in 1969; set designs and costumes for the theatre and ballet (Jazz Calendar with Frederick Ashton at Covent Garden, Don Giovanni with John Gielgud at the London Coliseum, The Rake’s Progress with Ken Russell at Teatro Communale, Florence); production design for http://samedayessays.org/ The Devils and Savage Messiah; through his own films in super-8 before working on features: Sebastine (1976), Jubilee (1978), The Tempest (1979), The Angelic Conversation (1985), Caravaggio (1986), The Last of England (1987), War Requiem (1989), The Garden (1990), Edward II (1991), Wittgenstein (1993), and Blue (1993); to directing pop-videos and live performances for Pet Shop Boys and Suede.
His paintings – for which he was a Turner Prize nominee in 1986 – have been exhibited world-wide. His garden surrounding the fisherman’s cottage in Dungeness where he spent the last years of his life remains a site of awe and pilgrimage to fans and newcomers to Jarman’s singular vision. His publications include: Dancing Ledge (1984), Kicking the Pricks (1987), Modern Nature (1991), At Your Own Risk (1992), Chroma (1994), Derek Jarman’s Garden (1995).