28th March 1974
Artist Whose Work Is Not For Exhibition

As things stand, the wonder is that a painting which yet may be valuably supplement the pictorial record of Pontefract Castle, ever saw the light of day [writes Express reporter John Hargrave]

Although the artist’s talent was evident from her schooldays, she has worked only at relatively rare intervals... the whole of her work done during her most prolific period was stolen... in France in 1940 she had to take cover nightly from bombardment... and a Nazi bomb just missed the ship on which her party returned to England during the Army’s withdrawal. The artist is Mrs Margaret Simmons who, with her husband Charles, has lived in retirement at Carleton View, Pontefract, for about five years.

A visit to the Castle evoked one of her rare but compulsive urges to paint and she spent eight months producing her picture, purely for her own satisfaction. The reproduction within the ‘Express’ is probably the only glimpse the general public will have of it. As a part-combination of two paintings of the castle from postcards, it is not for exhibition or disposal.

The ‘Express’ saw it only because Mrs Simmons called while seeking advice. Painting’s before the Castle’s demolition are rare. This one is based chiefly on the one in Pontefract Library, bought for the town by the Corporation, but detail is added from what is known as the "Hampton Court" painting. The essential atmosphere of the original is well maintained though the skyscape is changed both in formation and colour. It is azure against the darker colour of the original whose pristine tone may have succumbed to the ravages of time. The work will remain private; Mrs Simmons intends it for her home.

Raised by her two aunts at Windsor, Mrs Simmons showed talent when, as a schoolgirl, she dominated school painting exhibitions. This led to further work in her adolescence, including a Venus and a scene of Westminster Bridge. All disappeared while on loan to a church exhibition, in the only few moments when no one happened to be in the exhibition room. This was at Blackpool, where she was living at the time.

Mrs Simmons faced the rigours of war in France in 1940 as a worker with the Salvation Army. As a volunteer nurse, the stitching of the serious wounds fell to her "because there was no one else." Many nights she and her colleagues spent in whatever cover they could find from bombing and shelling.

The bomb which the Polish steamer, on which her party was leaving France at the evacuation, narrowly escaped, broke a glass in her hand and jolted people in their cabins, but left them and her unhurt to receive a civic welcome on arrival at Plymouth.

An unpublished novel and poems also testify to consistent artistic leanings, but it is five years since she last painted a picture. Landacre Bridge, Exmoor, was her inspiration on that occasion but once she gets the urge she finds that the work must be pursued; once begun there is no remission until completion.

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