The Bath Prize Winner has just been announced, it's Chris Dunn with his magnificent 'Magpie in George Street'

Great excitement this morning when Tim came back from Inkspot, the artist's materials shop in Swindon and said he'd met this year's Bath Prize winner, Chris Dunn.
Chris  has not appeared on this blog despite living in Calne, and working in Swindon. How have we missed him?
His entry 'Magpie in George Street' is a watercolour:

And here is Chris standing with the picture and the Mayors of Bath.

 To find out more about Chris and how he works, visit:chrisdunnillustration.blogspot.com
There is still just time to visit the exhibition of entrants to the Bath Prize at the Octagon, Milsom Street, Bath; it runs until the 27th of October and is open from 10am - 5pm.
On Friday 28th of October, there will an auction of the paintings at 7pm. To find out more, including how to make a telephone bid, visit www.wessexauctionrooms.co.uk

This was the third year the Bath Prize has been held, it's definitely something to consider entering in 2012, watch the website for details of next year's event and to find out more about this year's entries visit: www.thebathprize.co.uk
It's a brilliant concept, and has worked very well in Bath.

Looking at the entries, I was drawn to Andrew Taylor's entry of Sion Hill allotments which I visited in early summer with a friend who has a wonderfully diverse allotment there.

Post Office in Pictures Family Fun Days this week at The Post Modern

Come to The Post Office in Pictures during half-term for a host of free family activities:

Details of the family fun days:

The Post Office in Pictures Family Fun Days – Wednesday 26^th and Thursday 27^th October 2011 – 11am to 4pm
The Post Modern, Theatre Square, Swindon. SN1 1QN.

Activities include:

·         Put yourself in the Picture and create your own magazine front cover with you as the star! Use real post office uniforms for added authenticity.

·         Finger Puppet Postmen Create your own mini postmen from felt, make a cap badge or armband based on what you can see in the exhibition. Real objects will be available to handle for added inspiration.

·         Competition Why not bring along your camera to the fun day and take part in our photographic scavenger hunt? Pick up the clues from the Post Modern, search Swindon for the postal items and snap as many as you can, and then return to the gallery to record your time – the fastest family over the two days will win a fantastic prize!

Events start at 11.00am and end at 4.00pm on each day

Cost & Booking
Free entry. This is a drop in event. No booking is necessary.
www.artsite.ltd.uk 

This Friday 4th November- Denys Hodson will talk about the Swindon Collection

I posted a piece about the fabulous exhibition currently at the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery on the 24th April this year.
The exhibition is called 'Builder's Choice'  selected by Denys Hodson, Director of Arts and Rec. in Swindon 1972-1992.
Denys Hodson who is a key figure in the development of Swindon's knock out art collection will give a talk at the Museum and Art Gallery in Bath Road on the 4th of November at 7.30pm about the Swindon Collection.
It's a must for anyone interested in contemporary art.
The event is being staged by the Friends of the Museum and Art Gallery. FSMAG for short. it's worth considering becoming a friend to support this wonderful facility, for more details, visit the gallery, or come along to the evening.
The Friend's AGM was held last Friday, the photos were taken rather late on as we were clearing up, but better than no visuals.

I've scanned an application form for the Friends, benefits of becoming a member include talks, trips and a Journal several times a year.

Leland Bardwell's Sell out Success at the Blue Gate's Poetry Evening

What a brilliant time was had by all who attended the Blue Gate Poets special evening with guest playwright, poet and writer Leland Bardwell.
As we rounded the corner into Bath Road, the sound of bagpipes could be heard from outside the Museum,heralding the evening.

 It was a real Bardwell event with Jackie, Leland's daughter reading one of her poems, and Erin Bardwell, Leland's grandson playing 'Groundwell Farm' composed by Erin, it was a reminder of the days when he grew up at Groundwell Farm and like their parties, didn't seem to have an ending. His second composition, 'Fry Up' was inspired by his other Grandmother's talk of fry ups which he doesn't remember her ever cooking.
I bought a copy of Leland's book of poetry:

As it says on the back cover 'Her work has humour and wit..It has the immediacy of conversation, yet is crafted with care and form.

The Blue Gate Poets Meet on Thursday 13th October - Special Guest Leland Bardwell

Blue Gate Poets have invited well known Irish poet and writer, Leland Bardwell to their celebratory evening on Thursday at 7.30pm at the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, Bath Road, Old Town, SN1 4BA. Tickets £3/£5 on the door.
With support from local poets and musicians, it's an evening not to be missed.
Here's a copy of the  invitation:

 It does say, among other things, that the Book below 'Different Kinds of Love' won the Literary Award in Turkey in 2010.

This is my copy of Leland's book, can I read all the stories before Thursday evening?
www.bluegatepoets.com

Lacock Abbey, the sphinx and some grapes

Lacock Abbey and village never fails to provide some interest, from the cyclamen around the base of the large tree on the right:

 To the first view of the abbey:

 and then on your left, the sphinx, much photographed by Fox-Talbot in 1840

 A walk around the walled garden reveals a greenhouse with gorgeous green and black grapes.

 Tim wanted a photo of these for some reason.

For opening times etc: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

The Post Office in Pictures Exhibition Private View Photos

What a brilliant evening at the PostModern last night, the exhibition has been displayed interestingly with photographs mounted on opened cardboard boxes attached to white screens attached together around the room in a zig-zag manner.
Lots of people turned up, including two very interesting philatelists, the food was delicious and beautifully presented.

 With each photograph, was some text explaining the practice used by the Post Office at that time, this one as you might guess is a Post Office van that doubles up as a bus. There are postcards available of most of the photographs.

 People looking at the photographs and PO magazines.

 Front covers of Post office magazines.

 The canapes and chocolate brownies.

Bill and Tim talking on the left.
The exhibition runs until the 5 November and is open from 11am - 5pm daily except Sundays.
www.postalheritage.co.uk
www.artsite.ltd.uk

If you go down to Theatre Square today for the Big Opening, you're in for a big surprise

This evening sees the opening of The Post Office in Pictures exhibition courtesy of the British Postal Museum and Archive. www.postalheritage.org.uk

The private view is between 5-pm this evening, the exhibition runs until 5 November and is open from 11am - 5pm daily Monday- Saturdays.
The big surprise is as the result of consultations reported earlier in the year, we now have plants in beds. They look superb, incorporate seating areas between and amidst the plantings, and will be watered by a hose pipe attached to a tap situated just inside Artsite door. I have already seen an SBC employee engaged in watering.
The following photos show the bed outside Artsite door being assembled by 10 (?) people, and the resulting bed when finished:

 It was difficult to show all the people engaged in working in this small area because they shielded each other

 These are the groups responsible for the regeneration of Theatre Square.

 Two views of the bed outside Artsite with posties in the background.

 This bed is directly outside the Wyvern Theatre, I was lucky with the three men walking behind the bed with their shopping.

This bed is beside the Wyvern Theatre. As you can see, it's definitely worth a look, it may not be what we suggested at the consultation afternoon, but it looks good.

Latest Photos of Avebury Manor on Sunday 2 October

The latest copy of the National Trust magazine has an article about the restoration of the manor house and kitchen garden. A series about the the restoration will appear on BBC television before Christmas, it will be titled 'To the Manor Reborn' and be presented by Penelope Keith and Paul Martin who were present at the barbecue on Sunday.

 People enjoying the garden and food.

 The bed seen empty on Thursday when I weeded it, now planted.

The grounds of Avebury Manor are stunning. This photo shows some gorgeous dahlias.
www.nationaltrust.co.uk/avebury