Ruyton WI AGM striding into the future 7th March

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Message from Jane Leadbeater

Ruyton WI AGM - Making great strides for the future

Booka Event, An afternoon with Ruth Jones - actress, screenwriter & author

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Message from Booka Bookshop, Oswestry

Booka Bookshop Presents... Thurs 22nd May - 1.00pm at The Holroyd Theatre, Oswestry BAFTA winning co-creator of Gavin & Stacey, Ruth Jones returns to Oswestry! We're thrilled to announce an event with much loved actress, screenwriter and bestselling author, Ruth Jones, for her new novel, 'By Your Side'.  Linda and Levi will never meet. But they're going to change each other's lives. In her role at the council's Unclaimed Heirs Unit, Linda Standish investigates the lives of those who've died alone and tracks down any living relatives. She's been a friend to the friendless for the past thirty-three years.And now she's looking forward to an early retirement. But before she hangs up her lanyard, Linda must take on one last case – that of Levi Norman Jones – a Welshman who'd made his home on a remote Scottish island for the past five years. What brought Levi here? And who did he leave behind? Obliged to travel (by hearse) with her arch nemesis Fergus Murray, and helped (and hindered) by the eccentric local residents, Linda searches for clues to a life now lost. Bursting with all the heart and humour that has made Ruth's name as a screenwriter and author, By Your Side is about finding joy in the most unlikely connections, and the importance of holding onto friendship, love and community – especially when life gets messy. Ruth Jones MBE is best known for her outstanding and award-winning television writing – BBC 1's Gavin and Stacey, in which she played the incorrigible Nessa Jenkins, and Sky 1's Stella. She has numerous other television credits to her name. Now, the author of 'Never Greener', 'Us Three', and 'Love Untold', publishes her new novel, 'By Your Side'  - a  joyful and life-affirming story with characters you'll come to know and love, shining a compassionate light on human nature and why we make the mistakes we do. We can't wait to welcome Ruth back to Oswestry for this afternoon event. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to see her! Further Information 01691 662244 | hello@bookabookshop.co.uk | Message via social media

Opening Times: Mon-Sat 9.30 - 5.00 Sun - 11:00am - 4:00pm P: 01691 662244 E: hello@bookabookshop.co.uk

Qhiz on 22nd March -SOLD OUT

Dear Blogger

Ruyton XI Towns Village Hall

QUIZ on 22nd March - SOLD OUT

Willow Gallery Spring Open Exhibition & March Newsletter

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Message from Willow Gallery, Oswestry

WILLOW GALLERY Oswestry   Newsletter March 2025 View this email in your browser

STEPHEN HOPPER Three Cliffs Bay, Gower Peninsula Pen and watercolour

Book launch for local author 26 March See below for details Spring Open Exhibition Until 26 April A dynamic and colourful exhibition showcasing all kinds of artwork to enjoy and purchase Art & Craft Workshops at the Gallery At our artist-led workshops, learn new skills or hone an existing one, try out different art materials and take time out with like-minded people.  Classes consist of small groups, ensuring that everyone receives plenty of individual attention and guidance. See our website for dates, full details and updates A WAY OF SEEING WITH REG TURRELL SUNRISE AND SILHOUETTES I don't know if it was just me, but I felt that over the last year the sky was often glowing with a more intense orange at sunrise and sunset. It seemed the sky was often brighter than usual, and the landscape was always in silhouette. At first, I didn't notice the outline of a house and the electricity pylon amongst the trees, pitch-black against the sky.    I dampened the paper and let orange watercolour spread downwards. Before the paint dried, FW acrylic orange and yellow ink was trickled down the damp paper. Granulation medium was used to spread the pigments.  I painted the foreground using indigo. For the trees, I used the edge of a credit card dipped in the same paint. I drew the twigs freely using a fine felt-tipped pen. MEET ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE KARL With a current focus on romantic narratives, landscapes and abstracts, Karl Robinson-Bray welcomes visitors to observe him working in the gallery. If you're after an artwork personal to you, Karl is also happy to work to commission: contact him at the gallery or via his website. JUDITH HARRISON Mixed-media artist Judith has recently has been working on a range of board games including, below, a variation of Snakes & Ladders. Says Judith: The inspiration for my work comes from the landscape and the plants, myths, stories and animals that frequent them. I begin with collage and then weave layers of texture and paint into the surface. I use a similar technique for preparing plates for collagraph prints. Beasts & Ladders Mixed-media board together with game pieces Book launch and tea at the Willow with Vicky Turrell Wednesday 26 March, 2pm Talk, readings, author signing All welcome – Free event   Says Vicky: My latest is a work of fiction dealing with the sometimes quite tricky subject of what happens when we retire - not always what we may think. I hope it's full of surprises, thought provoking and fun. The Rest is Life is published by Leaf by Leaf Press, a local co-operative of writers of which Vicky is one of the founding members.   . Spring Craft Fair Saturday 12 April Join us for the first of our three annual craft fairs, with lots of crafty people offering their crafts and talents for you to buy and enjoy. The craft fair is free to attend, so why not bring your family and friends to support local artists and makers.   Upcoming exhibitions Borderland Visual Arts & Open Studio Weekends Saturday 3 May–Saturday 28 June Showcasing artists from Oswestry and the surrounding area Open Studio Weekends Saturday 7 June & Sunday 8 June, Saturday 14 June & Sunday 15 June Go behind the scenes to see local artists at work in their studios, learn about different creative processes, and buy unique work directly from the artists. Saturday 5 July–Saturday 30 August An exhibition for established and emerging textile artists working with stitch, fabric and mixed media. This not-for-profit event creates an opportunity to exhibit alongside nationally and internationally renowned textile artists. Exhibitors will be part of a growing movement that is bringing fine-art textiles to a wider audience.   Click here to visit the Stich by Stitch website for full details regarding submissions. Some recent sales at the Gallery Other Local Events & Information Oswestry Cricket Club, Morda Road, Oswestry 7-9pm, Saturday 15 March An evening of folk music by local talented singers, songwriters and musicians, including performances from the Wilfred Owen String Quartet. Repair Café Oswestry & Borders Public Institute, Llanfyllin Saturday 8 March, 12-3pm   A team of skilled volunteer repairers give their time and expertise for free to help people fix items that might otherwise be thrown away. Please book your item in beforehand at osbordersrepaircafe@gmail.com, so organiser Elaine knows which experts to invite and what tools they need to bring. You can also bring your repairs to the Midweek Mend sessions at the Climate Action Hub in Oswestry's Bailey Street (Wednesdays 11am-2pm). Art World   Rembrandt: Masterpices in Black and White Prints from the Rembrandt House Museum  Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery 6 March - 1 June, Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm Bringing together intricate prints and etchings on tour from Rebrandt House Museum in the Netherlands. See the full range of Rembrandt's output along with some of those he influenced across the centuries. Rembrandt van Rijn: Self-Portrait, Wearing a Flat Cap Etching c1642 (detail) Scottish painter Jack Vettriano has died in Nice, aged 73   Perhaps best known for his painting The Singing Butler, Jack Vettriano was born in Fife in 1951. He left school at 15 and later became a mining engineer. For his 21st birthday, he was given a box of watercolour paints: from then on, he spent much of his spare time teaching himself to paint. He drew inspiration from works at Fife's Kirkcaldy Galleries, studying paintings by artists such as Samuel Peploe and William McTaggart. He applied to study fine art at the University of Edinburgh, but his portfolio was rejected. His breakthrough came in 1988 when he submitted two paintings to the Royal Scottish Academy's annual show. Both sold on the first day, inspiring him to become a full-time artist. He was derided by some critics (indeed by the art establishment in general who considered his art to be lacking depth and often sexist) but his works - capturing moments of intrigue, romance and nostalgia - became hugely popular with the public and led to exhibitions around the world. Collectors of his work include Alex Ferguson, Jack Nicholson, Terence Conran and Tim Rice. The Singing Butler The 1992 painting is among Vettriano's most famous works and shows an elegant couple dancing on a blustery beach whilst being serenaded by their servants as they shelter beneath umbrellas. The artwork became the UK's best-selling art print and set a Scottish record when it was sold at auction for £750,000 in 2004.   Bluebird at Bonneville This painting features the iconic Bluebird car on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah on the occasion of Malcolm Campbell's final world land speed record in 1935. The Billy Boys The painting, inspired by a poster for the American crime drama Reservoir Dogs, first featured in an exhibition at Fife's Kirkcaldy Galleries where Vettriano sought inspiration as a young artist. A vibrant, not-for-profit art space packed full of contemporary artworks from local and national artists. We host exhibitions, art classes, craft fairs and other community-focused events - bringing together creative individuals and art lovers from our local communities and beyond. CONTACT US Tel: 01691 657575 email: willowgalleryoswestry@gmail.com Website: willowgalleryoswestry.org Facebook: Willow Address: 56 Willow Street, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 1AD Gallery/Café open Tues-Sat 10am-4pm (3.30pm café last orders) Closed: Sundays/Mondays/Bank Holidays Editor: Hilary Moorcroft March 2025