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Bernard Shaw's Village

1949 , Ayot St Lawrence (Hertfordshire)

Cat no. 1695

A documentary about the village of Ayot St Lawrence and its famous resident George Bernard Shaw.

The village of Ayot St Lawrence is a quiet and remote medieval village set in the Hertfordshire countryside, and where gypsy caravans add a colourful touch. The village's claim to fame is that George Bernard Shaw, the world's greatest dramatist, lives and works here. He was drawn to the solitude of Ayot St Lawrence. Shaw socialises with his neighbours, converses with the sculptor of his new statue and entertains American actor Danny Kaye in his garden. Shaw and Kaye decide to enact a little scene for the cameraman.

Keywords

Dramatists; Rural life; Villages

Background Information

In the summer of 1950, Shaw fell in the garden at Shaw's Corner, having been pruning one of the fruit trees. He broke his leg and was taken to hospital, where it was discovered that he had a long-standing kidney disease. He was brought to his home in October 1950 and died here on 2nd November 1950. Prior to his death, Shaw arranged to leave his house and contents to the National Trust on his death. More information can be found here - http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-shawscorner/

Manifestations

Bernard Shaw's Village

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