Lostwithiel is a small Cornish town situated at the head of the estuary of the river Fowey.
A stannary town it was once one of the most important in Cornwall. Today it is primarily known for its proliferation of small antique shops but is a wonderful welcoming place to visit. The town features a fantastic 12th century bridge and the imposing St Bartholomew’s Church.
Fred Yates painted both of these views of the town several times.
When Fred Yates moved to Lostwithiel he lived at No 15 The Moors a small cottage just 50 yards from the river. Here boats would make their way directly to Fowey and trains between London and Penzance passed across the river on the nearby mainline rail bridge.
Fred loved life on the river regarding the local swans as his friends and enjoyed his morning stroll to the local bakery to buy fresh croissants for breakfast. Lostwithiel station was only 5 minutes walk and this meant he could travel to his favourite painting locations without the need for taxis.
The above photo has an handwritten note by Fred Yates showing an arrow pointing to the bakery where he bought his daily bread. The quote reveals the joy that he obtained from the simple pleasures in life.
Fred Yates handwritten photo note
Fred enjoyed painting scenes of the more secluded stretches of the river and scribbled on the back of one of his photos “A quiet Fred Yates backwater I paint like Pissarro now”
Above is a painting of a cottage on the Parade and how the cottage looks Today with a lovely observation of a train in the station in pen and ink.
Inside Fred Yates’s cottage Lostwithiel Photo by Fred Yates
If you have any anecdotes that you are willing to share relating to Fred Yates’s time in Lostwithiel – please do get in touch with enquiries@fredyatesgallery.co.uk
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