The housekeeper of a famous artist unveiled a plaque to him in Great Bardfield on Saturday.

Cathy Slow, now 97, was at the installation of a plaque to John Aldridge who lived at Place House (or The Place) in Dunmow Road in the village. Aldridge, born in 1903, lived in the house with his wife, Lucy. He became known across Britain as an artist and a designer of wallpaper and teacher. He died in 1983. Mrs Slow was accompanied by her son, David.

Before the Aldridges lived in the house, it was the home of William Bedlowes, who served as Sergeant-at-Law to both Mary Tudor and Queen Elizabeth I. He was commissioned to suppress the Lollards and heretics in Essex. His name is also on the plaque.

Further along the road, a second plaque was installed to Aldridge’s fellow Bardfield artist, Edward Bawden. This was unveiled by his son Richard. The Bawden family lived in Brick House in the High Street between 1930 and 1970.

The house was bought as a wedding present by Edward Bawden’s father when he married fellow artist, Charlotte Epton. After Charlotte died in 1970, Bawden moved to Saffron Walden where he died in 1989 aged 86.

The plaques have been installed by Great Bardfield Historical Society and Great Bardfield Parish Council.