ELLEN TERRY’S HOME

Hawera Star, 13 January 1930, Page 7

ELLEN TERRY’S HOME

EFFORT TO KEEP IT

SUM OF £BOOO NEEDED

Unless £BOOO can be raised ait once

there is a danger that the famous house of the late I>amo Ellen Terry, me of the greatest of English actresses at Small Hythe, near Tenderdon. Kent, may be taken to the United States, where her memory is held in high esteem.

When 7>nme Ellen died in duly last .year a- movement, suggested by the 'Daily Mail.” was started to-secure the

fins- old Tudor cottage as a permanent memorial to- the great actress. No more fitting memorial to tlio woman who was loved b-v all who met her could he imagined than this ouiot retreat. redolent of memories of her life. Tl was there that she spent the greater part of the 25 years before her death. In a lovely rose, gulden where Dame Ellen soont many hours of her Instyears the -simple beauify of her noble eharactcr is reflected. .Mi ha-s been nrosorved at the express- wish of her daughter and close com nan ion. Miss Edith Craig, who is anxious that her mother’s home should become a 'public •possession. Tf sufficient' money can lie aiised it is intended t-o aonire the house- and nreserve- two of the r-ooms, including fbe one in which the famous actress died, m the simple state in which she lived in them. Another room would te devoted to a. library of books on the drama and the theatre, including her own interesting collection, and a- museum of theatricals relics of historic interest-. If. is also hoped to turn the fine ontluiidimr info a barn theatre, where adrama,fio festival would be- held- elacih voair to com mein orate the late actress’ fame. Tt "'ill cost about £IO.OOO to carry out this scheme, and some £2OOO bos been subscribed. American admirers of Ellen Tcrrv are, * anxious to secure the house and take it to tire United States, hut the Ellen Teiirv Memorial Committee, of which s-ur .Tolinsf.-'U E'er 1 w-t-Rob °rtso ll is- chairman and Dam-' Madge T\ ( >nd.-d vie**-."ba-irinan. is honing t,r> save if- for the Enc’isli T-r-nn-lc. to whom the life-cf t.he} great actress will remain an inspiringj mentorv.