LECHLADE ART SOCIETY NEWS
Current News for Members and Guests
Concrete Castles: Britain’s War Defences of 1940
An art exhibition exploring Britain’s World War 2 defence structures at Coleshill, the famous home of World War 2’s Auxiliaries
Home of World War 2’s Auxiliaries, Coleshill, presents an exciting art exhibition entitled Concrete Castles: Britain’s War Defences of 1940. The exhibition, explores Britain’s World War 2 defence structures, especially pillboxes, that are found on the coast and in the landscape. Works by some 30 artists will be on display, including sculpture, paintings and photography, celebrate these unsung structures that we so often ignore take for granted.
In reaction to the threat of invasion by Nazi Germany in the summer of 1940, Britain hastily constructed 89,000 pillboxes around the coast and across the countryside and these have since been described as 20th century castles. While a few of the more impressive have been restored and are even tourist attractions and others are acknowledged through interpretive signage, some are long-forgotten and dilapidated. Many have become ruinous and half-hidden by encroaching nature.
Concrete Castles celebrates these small but iconic buildings that were designed to protect Britain in time of war. The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue including essays on the war artists who painted the subjects when new, why contemporary artists are now drawn to them, and a short history of Britain’s invasion scare in the summer of 1940.
Open every Tuesday - Sunday from 2nd August - 11th September, 10am - 4pm, entry is free
Location - National Trust Timber Store, Coleshill
In addition to the exhibition itself, the National Trust is also hosting a series of accompanying talks on Wednesdays at 11:30. These include a talk on war artists by Tim Craven and Steve Marshall, a chance to meet some of the artists involved in the exhibition and a talk on Britain’s Secret Army, an army of saboteurs that trained at Coleshill during the Second World War. More details can be found at the links below.
Artists at War illustrated talk by Tim Craven and Steve Marshall | National Trust
Concrete Castles: Artist's Talk | National Trust
Talk on the Auxiliaries| National Trust (given by an expert from the Coleshill Auxiliary Research Team)
Rupert Aker gave a stunning demonstration in June. See Monthly Meetings Rupert agreed to follow this demonstration with a workshop in August. All places were almost immediately filled and there was a significant waiting list. It is hoped to repeat this workshop later in the year. See here for a selection of workshop photographs.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society was held on Tuesday 12th July at 2.00pm in the Pavilion. Sharon Ellis stood down as Chairperson at the meeting after many years of dedicated service. Sharon was presented with a small gift as a token of the members' appreciation for her hard work on the Committee, enormous help with the running the Society, and for organising so many events and activities.
MESSAGE FROM SHARON ELLIS OUR RETIRING CHAIRPERSON:
Dear Members
I just had to write to thank you all so very much for the gifts from you that I was given at the AGM today.
I was touched by the thoughtfulness of them. For those of you who were not there, I had a wonderful book covering a subject close to my heart, called “From the Sculptor’s studio”.
I look forward to reading it and referring to it for inspiration!
Some while ago I moved from a first floor apartment in the centre of Cirencester to a more rural aspect of a bungalow with a garden and a greenhouse, which has enabled me to be creative in a different way and the gift of a magnificent and enormous terracotta pot means that I have a home for my lovely mimosa!
I have so enjoyed my time on the committee and will miss the activities that helping to run the Society have entailed. We are very fortunate in having a committee of truly capable individuals and I know that Brian who has taken over my role as Chair will head up a great team.
I look forward to seeing you at our events through the year.
Sharon
Brian Britton now takes on the role of Chairman. Photographs taken at the AGM, including the Oscart Award presentation, are available. See AGM July 2022 and Oscart Award
Subscriptions for July 2022 to June 2023 become due on 1 July to be paid before 31 July. See Membership
On Tuesday 28th June, the Thursday Group enjoyed a great day out to draw or paint in Melanie's garden in Little Faringdon. Thanks very much Melanie! See the photographs
On Tuesday 10th May, members and guests were entertained by Fiona James who gave an interesting talk entitled "In Search of Earthly Paradise, the importance of home and garden to the followers of the Arts and Crafts Movement". See Fiona James May 2022
The first workshops for almost two years were held on 15th January, 24th March, 9th July and 5th August. Rupert Aker's workshop in August was oversubscribed and will hopefully be repeated at a later date. See Workshops
A date for the diary. Following the very successful Christmas Lunch last year, we have booked the same venue for this year: Friday 9th December 2022; 12.00 for 12.30; Wrag Barn Golf Club, Shrivenham Road, Highworth.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS OF LECHLADE ART SOCIETY
CORONAVIRUS (COVID 19)
The coronavirus situation continues to be monitored by the LAS Committee. We do not want to increase the risk of infection to the members and will follow relevant Government guidance and restrictions. Thursday Group meetings,
Monthly Meetings, Workshops and Painting Days have resumed. The Annual Exhibition in August will go ahead as planned. All our events have been, and continue to be, subject to changes. We will continue to take advice, both from a national perspective and locally. Please keep in touch with fellow members and we will let you know about any changes to our events by email, Newsletter and this website.
Notice issued April 2022