In March and again in October we are lucky to have the facilities of Birchwood School art department to run a Saturday workshop--starting promptly at 10am and finishing at 4pm--with superb qualified tutors encouraging us in the chosen medium. Our tutors so far: Bryan Ryder, Carol Massey, Derek Daniells, Bill Newton and Jane Rhodes. The day always ends with us very proudly showing our works of art.

Both beginners and more experienced artists benefit from the advice of our tutors. The photograph above is from one of our workshop and on the extreme right is Barbara Thomson who currently organises the workshops and also the coach outings. Forthcoming workshops are listed below.

Saturday 10th October 2009
Keith Morton. Portrait/acrylics/oils

Saturday 6th March 2010
Jane Rhodes . Pastel.

If you are interested in joining our workshops please contact Barbara Thomson for details. Tel 01279 657370

Patchings Art, Craft and Design Festival - 6th June 2009

A most enjoyable day was spent at Patchings Art Craft and Design Festival on Saturday 6^th June. As the coach trundled along the A1 we chatted away happily not knowing what to expect, Patchings came up to all expectations, the highlights being able to watch David Bellamy, Ann Blockley and David Curtis plus many more famous and popular artists demonstrate their skills, and yes! Didn't they make it look 'so simple' encouraging their packed audiences to 'have a go'?
There were many tightly packed Marquees where superb creations were displayed and demonstrated, gifts to buy and art supplies galore. Now we know what to expect let us make Patchings an annual event and fill our coach to capacity, as you can gather a splendid event.   


Chartwell House, home of Winston Churchill  -  16th July 2009

As a totally different approach to our usual annual Chairman's Day outing, our Chairman, David Cooper, decided a coach trip to Chartwell Manor would be an interesting and relaxing day to offer our group, and what a splendid choice it proved to be, 34 members enjoyed Sir Winston Churchill's beautiful family house, with much personal memorabilia, and standing on the balcony overlooking the garden we almost expected our beloved Sir Winston to be in his garden painting the weald, which surrounds the house and gardens. His studio showing many of his very fine oil paintings, inspired us to give the oil paints an airing! A few brave members did manage very successful paintings, and the weather was just glorious

Barbara Thomson