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Former Sharpham Estate resident, Liverpool poet, children's author and inspiring literary figure Brian Patten has died.
Claire Ash Wheeler - who grew up on the Estate and whose parents established The Sharpham Trust - remembers Brian in The Boat House, paying tribute below to a fiercely creative person whose work inspired thousands.
Brian created a limited edition book with illustrator Sarah Gillespie, signed copies of which are available in Sharpham House. Email us here if you're interested
I’m saddened to hear of Brian Patten’s death.
I have this strong memory of him at the Sharpham Boathouse when I was riding my horse out of the big Wood back to its field in the 1970s. I was a teenager and I knew he was living in the Boathouse with his girlfriend, Mary Moore, daughter of Henry and Irene Moore, who were friends of my mother and father, Ruth and Maurice Ash.
Brian was trying to start an old motorbike as I was riding by and he had a way of making light of things, laughing and smiling. He may have even had a cigarette in his hand. He was always friendly.
When I moved to Shepherds Bush,London he lived in Holland Park, and I remember going to visit him. I always liked that Liverpudlian accent. My parents had a lovely rapport with Brian and stayed in touch. He had a way with words.
Thank you, Brian for all the words you wove into images to feed our imaginations.
Claire Ash Wheeler, October 2025
Click on the image below to see an extract from View From The Boat House Window
The Boat House is a simple, comfortable place beside the River Dart where you can leave the frantic pace of the world behind you and unwind...
View Boat House
At the heart of the Sharpham Trust ethos is our desire to build a more mindful, compassionate and environmentally sustainable world.
We connect people with nature and foster mindfulness and well-being through our programme of retreats, mindfulness courses, outdoor learning and the arts.
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