Hosted in the Tiny Grayston, take a trip back to the light entertainment of the 70s & 80s from local artist Marcus Jack.
This Was England is a love letter to the moments that once brought Britain together — the laughter, the swagger, the triumphs that lit up living rooms across England. These canvases are portals back to the shared ritual of gathering round the telly in the 70s & 80s. The paintings revisit the golden glow of entertainers like Morecambe & Wise and Tommy Cooper, whose timing and warmth made Saturday nights so magical. They remember the mischief and resilience of Only Fools & Horses, when Del Boy’s optimism felt like a national trait and the theme tune was the national anthem. They fondly remember the bickering of Stan and Hilda Ogden on Corrie.
The show also features the fleeting chart runs and (rare) sporting glories of a nation at full voice. There’s the stomping glam energy of Slade and the soulful urgency of Dexy’s Midnight Runners — bands that turned the charts into tribal celebrations. There’s sporting legends too: the defiant brilliance of Brian Clough, the dogged spirit of the England Ashes team of 1981, and the golden flash of Daley Thompson.
Together, these paintings invite you to step back to an England of big personalities and bigger moments — a time when joy felt communal, victories felt personal, and lifelong memories were made.
Free entry
