A Diamond Jubilee photo opportunity: my portraits of the Queen

Photographically, my biggest news is getting pictures of The Queen on her visit to Richmond Park. I went about three hours early, and did a lot of nifty reconnaissance, taking up a strategic position at an appropriate barrier about two hours before Her Majesty’s estimated arrival time.

Then the heavens opened with the most horrid of hailstone storms. Magically, that cleared up, and Her Majesty was able to walk around, not exactly to pass where I stood, but close enough for a long lens.

Very stalwart was the line-up of Air Force cadets who must have been soaked. Then there were some dear little girls in white dresses ready for a Maypole dance, who had to huddle shivering under umbrellas at one point. But the general consensus of the crowd was that it was all thoroughly worth it, in this the Diamond Jubilee year.

I’ve also been to the beautiful Watts Gallery at Compton, near Guildford. This was built by the great Victorian portrait painter GF Watts (1817-1904), and houses a wonderful selection of his paintings and sculpture, including a special show of Watts’ contemporaries called The Hall of Fame (open until 7 June). So good to see those familiar images of Tennyson, William Morris and many more.

Watts, it seems, wished to paint “the mind and soul” of his sitters as well as their outward appearance. Standing in front of his great works, it seems to me that he must have succeeded, and the standard of painting certainly excels any I’ve seen in shows of more recent artists.

But undoubtedly, the highlight of our visit was the memorial chapel built by Watt’s wife, Mary, who was 30 years younger than him. This small hexagonal building is completely lined inside with art nouveau angels and cherubs, intertwined with Celtic motifs. There are also wonderful clay tiles modelled in deep relief by local people – from village boys to the lady of the manor.

Mary believed that with the tuition she provided anyone could practise art, and she used a seam of clay from her own grounds. The whole effect is utterly enchanting and the chapel is completely free to visit. You have to pay to go in the gallery – but it only cost £2 on Tuesdays (www.wattsgallery.org.uk).

We also fitted in a visit to Sheffield Park in East Sussex where the magnificent grounds with their fine lakes are starting to sport their famous rhododendrons in all the glory of their crimson and shocking pink (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffield-park-and-garden).

I’m on twitter @sunnyholt.

To see more pictures please look at www.flickr.com/photos/barbarachandler.

Vist www.lovelondon.uk.com.