1930s Wallpaper...
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In August 2021, a short Facebook post from Darren Walsh in Faringdon made a startling claim: “Tolkien lived in Hatford.”
The story behind it began in the summer of 2014. Darren’s brother, Mickey Walsh, was redecorating a 1930s bungalow in Hatford. As he stripped back the wallpaper in a small bedroom (it pulled off quite easily - according to him) , he hit the original bare walls. What he saw stopped him cold—if only for a moment. The entire wall was covered in Tolkien‑style sketches and scribbled markings |
Mock-up of what the inside bedroom wall might have looked like - based on Mickey's description:
“It couldn’t have been anything else,” Mickey said. A lifelong Tolkien reader, he recognised the style instantly. Then he uncovered a second wall. And the area around the window. All of it covered.
Pressed for time, he dismissed it as “probably just a Tolkien fan gone a bit mad,” finished the prep, and rolled on two coats of emulsion.
Only later, talking to friends familiar with the house, did the implications hit him. A 1930s house. 1930s/40s wallpaper. Drawings beneath that wallpaper.
Pressed for time, he dismissed it as “probably just a Tolkien fan gone a bit mad,” finished the prep, and rolled on two coats of emulsion.
Only later, talking to friends familiar with the house, did the implications hit him. A 1930s house. 1930s/40s wallpaper. Drawings beneath that wallpaper.
Mock-up of outside bedroom wall - based on Mickey's description. Folly Tower and Hill would have been visible in the distance.
Micky does remember a few of the drawings. “There were loads of landscapes, with trees and the odd building, and rivers. And definitely at least one that looked a bit like the Hobbiton picture, with the hill in the background. But there were also ones with steep cliffs and valleys. And I remember a few twisty flying dragons around the window. And an eagle I think. There were loads of scribbled words- but I really can’t be sure that I remember what they were. If i did remember - I'd probably accues myself of making it up!”.
Mickey is adamant that the sketches must have been made in the 1930s/40s. (The Hobbit was published in 1937 - see Timeline) .
He is adamant that they could not have been the work of a later fan. "The age of the wallpaper was simply much too old". ( Does it fit in with Tolkien's character that he may have used a blank wall to scribble on? SEE HERE )
Mickey is adamant that the sketches must have been made in the 1930s/40s. (The Hobbit was published in 1937 - see Timeline) .
He is adamant that they could not have been the work of a later fan. "The age of the wallpaper was simply much too old". ( Does it fit in with Tolkien's character that he may have used a blank wall to scribble on? SEE HERE )
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Mickey realised too late that he had painted over something potentially quite extraordinary. “I was incredibly annoyed that I didn’t take photos. That’s what deadlines do to you.”
And the name of the house that Mickey was helping to redecorate? Yes - Rivendell. |
