Susan
A baroque and modern cellist, Susan performs regularly with ensembles such as the Sacqueboutiers de Toulouse. After studying in Manchester and Germany she has also worked in Palestine for the Barenboim-Said Foundation and created the association « Musique de Chambre dans le Gers »
Brian
Although 25 years in the advertising industry does not seem to be the ideal preparation for renovating a dereclict hamlet, Brian’s first job as an architectural model maker gave him all the skills needed, albeit on a different scale.
In 2002 Brian and Susan Edward left their house in Lancashire, England, and embarked on an adventure. They had bought a derelict hamlet in the Gers, south west France. 7 buildings, no watertight roofs, one standpipe, no electricity, no toilet facilities, lots of ivy and overgrowth and lots of fruit trees. Why ? Their vision was to create an arts centre offering courses with a focus on music, in a calm secluded location.
With « petit à petit » as a motto (little by little) progress was slow but sure. Sometimes the roofs fell down quicker than they could put them up but after nearly 2 decades half the hamlet is completed. On site there is a concert hall, a farmhouse for guests, a wood-working workshop, a music studio and their own house. With these facilities they are able to propose music courses for children and adults, organise artists retreats and programme an ecletic concert season.
PHOTOS
