More than 700 original pieces of art, letters and memorabilia have been catalogued from the three key members of the family: illustrator George Soper (1870-1942) and his two daughters Eva (1901-90) an artist and modeller of birds for the Royal Worcester Porcelain Company and Eileen (1905-90) an illustrator of children's and wildlife books including those for Blyton.
The trust has identified Brandeston Hall Farm Barns, Great Waldingfield, near Sudbury in Suffolk, as a site where it can develop an education facility for the family archive. It has placed a five figure holding deposit on the site and is fundraising to raise £600,000 to secure it. If funding can be raised, a three-stage development plan will be embarked on over four years.
The first phase will include buying the site and creating an educational hub, the second is to create outdoor learning areas on the site and the third phase is the establishment of a gallery, study and studio space.
A deadline to raise the funds to secure the site has been set for November 20. Interested parties can contact the Soper charity by email, call its treasurer on 01787 247610, or visit The Soper Collection website.
