Garden Lodge, Southwold 4th July 1979
I noticed soon after our arrival here that Southwold has many distinctive signs on shops and businesses. Today, the light looked right for photography and I headed across South Green into the centre to see what I could make of all the hanging signs and painted and raised lettering. I decided to use the Leica, rather than the C3, despite its range finder not working – I hope I shall not regret that. I took 15 pictures.
While framing a shot of the beautiful, regal blue and gold lettering above the door of Bumpsted greengrocers on the Market Square, the owner warned me that it was to be broken out later that day. I said, ‘Are you was serious?’ He was. I asked if he could try to get it out whole as I would like it. He agreed to try. [I collected it from him the next day – in two pieces. Removed from its setting it was somehow diminished, its essence dead.]