Bruce Dickinson, the frontman of renowned metal group Iron Maiden, has become patron of the Blake Cottage Trust.
The Blake Cottage Trust was established in 2015 to purchase the cottage in Felpham where William and Catherine Blake lived from 1800-1803, the only time that they resided outside London. It was during this period that Blake composed the famous lines that would become better known as the hymn "Jerusalem".
The cottage is in need of repair, and Bruce Dickinson's appointment is intended both to raise awareness of the cottage and to help with fundraising.
William Blake has given me so much over the years, and I want to repay the debt by helping to restore the Cottage. Despite his impact on the world, there is no centre for Blake; Nowhere people can visit to see the place where he actually lived and worked during a key part of his life. I want to change this.
Bruce Dickinson
The first step of fundraising is to raise £80,000 to repair the thatched roof, with the entire cost of restoration estimated at £1.5 million. The Trust hopes to open the cottage to the public in 2027, the 200th anniversary of the death of William Blake.
We are delighted to welcome Bruce as our Patron. Blake's Cottage provides an important physical link to an artist and poet whose work helped shape Britain. With Bruce’s active support I am sure that we will be able to achieve our aim of restoring it for future generations.
Doug Nicholls, Chair of The Blake Cottage Trust
Bruce’s recent ‘Rain on the Graves’ video has numerous references to William Blake, and ends with him unveiling a replica of Blake’s grave. His new UK tour starts on 16 May in Wolverhampton before moving on toGlasgow, Manchester, Swansea, Nottingham and London.
