I am the youngest of twelve children, My family grew up in the farming village of Weston Lullingfields, Shropshire. An idyllic rural setting. The Canal of the same name ran straight into the middle of the village bringing materials and goods from Manchester and Liverpool, for distribution into the county and beyond.

My father often worked sixteen hours a day to support his large family. He acquired his farm just before the outbreak of the Second World War. There was no mains electricity and the only water supply was from a hand pump in the yard. Times were hard.

My mother was a fantastic example of how hard women worked in those days raising her family despite the many difficulties.

It was when I was a young boy that my mother showed me how to draw, and somehow, found the time to help with my tutoring at a young age and I have wonderful memories of the enjoyment I had in copying her sketches.

Like a lot of people, as I grew older I continued to paint and draw whenever I could, fitting it in around work commitments as and when possible.

inspiration came to me through various artists including the great J M W Turner .

Why TOPHAM

The name “Topham” was chosen to recognise my mother, Hilda Mary Topham

Also to pay tribute to my relative Arthur Topham. Arthur joined the KSLI as a private in the first world war and was promoted through the ranks to Lieutenant. A distinguished soldier Arthur fought bravely for 2 years before losing his life in the Battle of the Somme in 1916.