BW191

Eileen Burke Collection

Eileen Burke Collection: travel diaries 1960-1976; slides 1960-1979; photographs c1966-c1975; miscellaneous 1955-c2007.

1955-c2007

BW191

Eileen Burke was a primary school teacher, waterways enthusiast and keen watercolour artist. For many years Eileen travelled the inland waterways of England with her friend Flo Boyde, and together they bought a cruiser, the 'Lilian Maud', and joined the Lee and Stort Cruising Club. Eileen and Flo largely travelled on the River Stort, River Lee and Grand Union Canal, and occasionally on other waterways such as the River Thames. From 1960 up until 1979 Eileen kept a detailed account of her and Flo's trips on their cruiser, as well as of various other holidays and events during these years. This account largely consists of slides, photographs, and travel diaries which keep a daily account of their trips and include watercolour paintings and other drawings done by Eileen whilst travelling. After they had both retired and finished travelling the waterways Eileen continued with her watercolour painting, had many exhibits in Saffron Walden, and was teaching a class up until her death in 2006. Flo became a writer and had a book published called 'Slightly Dotty'. See also CRT/BURKE.

9 standard boxes

The collection has been arranged using its original structure, with travel diaries, slides, photographs and miscellaneous items being given their own series and sorted in chronological order.