1999 Nurses’ home dining room at the Orthopaedic Hospital, Gobowen, was closed and used as a storeroom with The Dance of Life panels still on the walls. 2000 25th September, R. S. Thomas died, his ashes buried in St. John’s Churchyard, Porthmadog. 2005 The Dance of Life panels placed in a professional art storage facility.… Continue reading The years that followed

1978 Mid-April, Elsie and RS moved into their retirement cottage Sarn Plas, Y Rhiw,a few miles from Aberdaron. Her work for The Medici Society continued. 1980s Was suffering extreme pain in her eyes. She declined cataract surgery. 1982 Designed, wrote, and illustrated In my Garden, a children’s book published byThe Medici Society. 1984 Fell and… Continue reading Sarn Plas 1978-1991

1967 RS Thomas appointed vicar of the churches of St Hywyn, St Maelrhys, andSt Aelrhyw in and around Aberdaron, Gwynedd. 1968 Elsie started painting greetings cards for The Medici Society, London. Began sending her paintings to the art dealers, Spink, in London. 1970 Whilst in hospital for thyroid surgery, contracted an infection that was treated… Continue reading Aberdaron 1967-1978

1954 RS Thomas appointed vicar of the Church of Saint Michael, Eglwys Fach, Ceredigion. 1956 January, the final panel of The Dance of Life completed. Teaching ‘The History and Appreciation of Art’ for the Department of Extra-mural Studies, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. Two days per week at Barmouth, Newtown, and Welshpool. 1959 March, became… Continue reading Eglwys Fach 1954-1967

1942 Moved to Manafon when RS Thomas became rector of the Church of Saint Michael and All Angels, Manafon, Montgomeryshire. Elsie taught at Moreton Hall private girls’ school [dates unknown]. Elsie taught extra-mural studies; Art Appreciation in Newtown and Welshpool. 1945 29th August, Andreas Gwydion (known as Gwydion), their only child was born. 1951 28th… Continue reading Manafon 1942-1954

1934 or 1935 Moved to 55 Willow Street, Oswestry, North Wales, to be the art teacher at Oswestry Girls High School. 1937 Age 27, solo exhibition at the Beaux Arts Gallery, Bruton Place, London; the proceeds enabled her to buy a second-hand, open-top Bentley. Moved to lodgings Bryn Coed, Chirk, where she met the Revd… Continue reading Early career 1934-1942

1928 September, began formal art education at Wimbledon School of Art. 1930 Age 21, won a Free Studentship to the Royal College of Art, South Kensington, London; studied in the School of Painting. 1933 Graduated as an Associate of the Royal College of Art; won a £180 ‘Travelling Scholarship’ for her compositions ‘Telling the Bees’… Continue reading Art education 1928-1934

1909 1st August, Mildred Elsie Eldridge (known as Elsie) born in Wimbledon, London; second child of Frederick & Mildred Mary Eldridge (nee Chevalier). 1916 Age 7, began her education at the independent, girls only, Wimbledon School; remained here until 1927, aged 18. 1925 Family moved to Leatherhead, where her father had bought an established jeweler’s… Continue reading Childhood and youth 1909-1928