Friends of Tilling

Celebrating the Mapp & Lucia novels of E F Benson. Gathering each September in Rye.

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

Mrs Susan Poppit (later Susan Wyse) MBE…. Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Awarded for services to Tilling Hospital and associated charities. Graciously bestowed by His Majesty King George V. #MappandLucia

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

Remembering Olga Bracely’s German voice coach Wolfgang Baumgartner (whom Olga affectionately called Wolfie), he died on 22nd May 1959 aged 90. #MappandLucia

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

We love Fred’s #MappandLucia novels, though did you know he penned a number of biographies including The Kaiser and English Relations, the pictured copy we acquired in 2024. Fred’s biographies also include Queen Victoria, Ferdinand Magellan, Alcibiades and Charlotte Brontë.

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

“Cost what it may, we must have no more slums and no more unemployment in our beloved Tilling”. Vote Pillson (friend of the poor). #CouncilElections #7thMay #MappandLucia

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

Happy 61st birthday to actress Anna Chancellor, who played Lucia in the BBC’s three-part #MappandLucia dramatisation that was aired on tv in December 2014.

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

A C Benson (Arthur), elder brother of E F Benson was born on this day in 1862. Arthur and Fred shared Lamb House Rye until Arthur’s death in 1925. Arthur is best remembered for penning the words to Edward Elgar’s tune Land of Hope and Glory, which comes from the Coronation Ode.

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

Happy birthday to New Zealand born British actor Denis Lill, who played Major Benjamin Flint in the 1985/6 LWT adaptation of #MappandLucia He celebrates his 84th birthday today. Quai hi!

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

@RosieBlueStar 😂

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

A primrose and a violet, picked from Perdita’s border #MappandLucia

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

Happy heavenly birthday to actor Geoffrey Chater who played the courteous, monocled Algernon Wyse in the 1980s LWT tv series #MappandLucia born 105 years ago today. He died in October 2021 aged 100.

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

One wonders this month of March what blooms will be seen in sweet Perdita’s border at The Hurst. Daffodils, pale primroses and violets dim... #MappandLucia

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

#InternationalWomensDay #Lucia ! #MappandLucia

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

#InternationalBookDay #EFBenson #MappandLucia

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

Published by Ye Signe of Ye Daffodille, no expense was spared in the printing, illustrating and binding of Pepino’s Fugitive Lyrics, as you can see. #MappandLucia

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

Lamb House, Rye, showing the lost Garden Room. Where Fred wrote some of his novels, Miss Mapp spied on residents from its window and where Lucia played her Steinway. Source: Taken from a recently acquired vintage postcard #MappandLucia

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

#NationalHatDay #MappandLucia style.

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

Have you piled on the pounds over Christmas? Well, new year... new regime... Lucia style. You’re never too old to take up callisthenics. #MappandLucia Happy New Year!

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

Recalling….. Boxing Day 1930, during a flood Lucia and Miss Mapp were swept out to sea on Lucia’s upturned kitchen table, as a result of the sea defences near Grebe having been breached. So great the expanse of water it reminded Major Benjy of the Jumna in flood #MappandLucia

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

Wishing all friends and followers a very happy Christmas. Our card selected from the shilling tray. #MappandLucia #YuletideFelicitations

[Friends of Tilling @fotilling]

Remembering the actress Irene Handl, who played a delightful Duchess of Sheffield (Poppy) in the 1985/86 LWT adaptation of #MappandLucia who died on 29th November 1987 aged 85.