Suffolk Nature Writer Ronald Blythe Dies At 100!
At the age of 100, Ronald Blythe CBE, who documented the English countryside and a way of life that was swiftly vanishing, passed away.
The author, who grew up in squalor not far from Sudbury, Suffolk, taught himself by taking out books from the library.
His best-known work, Akenfield, describes Suffolk village life between the 1890s and the 1960s.
His buddy Ian Collins said of him, “He had this earthy Suffolk philosophy; he was incredibly knowledgeable, but he carried it so lightly.”
Being with Ronnie Blythe in one of his books is like traveling on a magic carpet, experiencing all the lovely things the world and nature offer.
Blythe wrote over 30 books. In 2017’s Queen’s Birthday Honours, he received the CBE for his contributions to literature.
The 1975 general cinema release of Sir Peter Hall’s film adaptation of Akenfield, which featured locals, attracted 14 million viewers, according to the film’s producers, when it was broadcast on television.
Recent post:
- A Legendary Rock Guitarist Jeff Beck Dies At 78!
- USC’s Heisman-Winning Tailback Charles White Dies At 64!
The oldest of six children, Ronald Blythe, left school at age 14 but was given an honorary degree by the University of Suffolk in 2015 together with artist Ed Sheeran. He came from a long tradition of shepherds and farm laborers.
According to Mr. Collins, who was also one of Blythe’s carers and the literary executor of her will, he was a product of the public library system.
He celebrated life instead of dwelling on his problems, yet his accomplishments were much more significant than most people realize.
He spent most of his life within 10 miles of his birthplace and was deeply entrenched in the locations he wrote about, observing the surrounding landscape.
The 1969 book Akenfield examined the dramatic changes in the Suffolk landscape over 70 years.
The fictitious name represented an actual location; he interviewed locals and altered their memories and views to paint a picture of English country life.
On the occasion of the film adaptation of the book’s 40th anniversary, which was shot in Suffolk and included locals, he spoke to BBC Radio Suffolk.
He admitted, “When I wrote it, I had no notion that way of life was going away.
It merely unintentionally touched upon the point at which things do alter.
Mr. Collins claimed that Blythe had no nostalgia and was aware that during the Great Depression, agricultural laborers had worked themselves to death.
On the sad news of the death of Ronald Blythe CBE (6 November 1922 – 14 January 2023) we recognise and are grateful for the incredible literary contribution this great, local writer has made to the world of words.
Rest in peace and thank you.#RonaldBlythe b. #sudburysuffolk pic.twitter.com/58DyulV8Ju
— Sudbury Town Council (@SudburyTC) January 16, 2023
He was aware of the hardships faced by farmers in the 1920s and 1930s, but he also recognized its breathtaking beauty; there was an astounding wild abundance of yellowhammers, nightingales, and linnets, which are now uncommon to see.
When he was in his fifties, The View in Winter was released. It contained his optimistic view of the old life.
He believed that old age was a gift to be treasured; he detested the idea of care facilities and thought that, wherever feasible, individuals should stay at home, which is precisely what he did, according to Mr. Collins.
“On Saturday, he passed peacefully in bed at home, surrounded by love.
He was knowledgeable, kind, and youthful; he enjoyed the company of young people because he never stopped being young.
He was highly appreciative and insatiably curious about everything, including death.
He modeled for us how to live. If you think this is interesting, please share it with your friends. For more updates and the latest news regarding celebrities, Visit Newswatchlist.com.
Leave a Reply