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A Wonderful Tribute

Posted on Jul 22, 2025 in Peter Blundell Jones, Uncategorized, University of Sheffield | 14 Comments

Yesterday was the first day of an exhibition at Sheffield University of material from the archive of my late husband:  Peter Blundell Jones: Architecture, Landscape and the City. I went to see it with our younger daughter (there will be an official opening later in the year). It covers the whole range of Peter’s work, his buildings, his teaching, and his publications. I am touched by all the effort that has gone into so much careful choice and presentation. It was especially lovely to see displays of the family houses that he built or renovated: The Round House in Devon with a photo of his parents on the built-in sofa, looking so much younger than when I knew them; Dove Cottage near Cambridge where Peter was living with his children when I met him: and Padley Mill in the Peak District where we made a home together.

 Peter and I got married in 1994, the year that he became a Professor in Sheffield. So all the projects of his twenty-two years here, the establishment of East-West Studies, the wonderful scale model of 1900 made by his students, and all his many publications represented here are a part of my past too and that of our family. Seeing the displays brought back precious and poignant memories of years of companionship, of writing in different rooms and meeting for lunch. At first we were two academics together and even once gave papers at the same conference that were later published in the same collection. Later my writing took a different direction and I became a novelist and a short-story writer, but the conversation continued. And in a way it still does.

The exhibition is a wonderful tribute to Peter’s life and work. It is on until 14 December, full details here: PBJ exhibition A5 flyer

14 Comments

  1. Margot Kinberg
    July 23, 2025

    What a wonderful tribute to Peter’s work, Christine! And it must mean so much for you and your family, too. I’m so glad this exhibit was made possible. Thanks for sharing the news; I only wish I could visit it myself.

    Reply
  2. Fionn Stevenson
    July 25, 2025

    What a wonderful thing! I am so delighted that this exhibition has happened – a fitting tribute to an inspirational architecture teacher and author. His passion for Scharoun is still etched inside me from my first year days at Cambridge University in 1978. His work at Sheffield was simply fabulous.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      July 26, 2025

      Thanks, Fionn, lovely to hear from you. I hadn’t realised that you and Peter went so far back! There is also going to be a book of essays in his honour. I am very touched by all this.I hope all’s well with you.

      Reply
  3. Sue Hepworth
    July 26, 2025

    This sounds wonderful, Chrissie. And it is a very touching post. xx

    Reply
  4. Deborah Mainwaring
    July 28, 2025

    What a wonderful tribute to the creativity, ebullience and passion of your beloved husband and one of my oldest friends. I am too far away for a visit, but I am so very proud of Peter’s energy and fine work, and his most loving legacy, you and his children.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      July 28, 2025

      Thank you, Deb! Lovely to get this. There might be a virtual reality option coming up. I will let you know, if so.

      Reply
  5. Jean Briggs
    July 28, 2025

    That sounded wonderful and your account of your life together was very touching, Chrissie – a lovely life of writing and talking.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      July 28, 2025

      Thanks, Jean. Yes, writing and talking, a good life. And reading, of course, and I am reading one of yours at the moment!

      Reply

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