Chairman's Chat April 22nd 2012

Now we are officially in British Summertime although the last week hasn't felt much like it.  The daffodils have been and gone, apart from a few stragglers. The weeds are growing well as are the lawns.
We have seen a lot of birds in the garden - collared doves, lots of greenfinches, some goldfinches, chaffinches, a couple of pairs of robins. We see from time to time a sparrow hawk, after the finches I expect, although I haven't actually seen it do any dastardly deeds. We do have some nesting blackbirds in the garden, father has been very busy feeding the little ones, but they seem to be starting to feed themselves now. Below is a picture of one of the blackbird families in the garden.

Blackbird feeding it's young

I am currently working again at the moment for a couple of days a week at the company I used to work for, although not on the mobility service side. I am doing some web site updating so office based at Poundbury. The extra cash helps with the vet bills for Ollie who is still suffering with inter-digital cysts (now coming up to two years with this complaint), so what with his epilepsy he has cost us about £1000 in last 3 months, still we wouldn't be without him.
One rather wet dog last month in the fleet

Ollie enjoying himelf in The Fleet in March

You'd be Surprised Who Paints was well supported with 92 paintings entered. The most popular picture in show was a depiction of the old wreck on the fleet foreshore painted by Carol Old, one of our art group members. Junior prize went to Marilyn Norman's granddaughter Chloe.

Our next workshop is on 5th May and is a calligraphy taster workshop - there are two places left if anyone is interested. It's a long time since we did this so if all enjoy it we may do a follow up.

This is followed by a new venture - a combined art and photo exhibition on 12th May. The art group are interpreting some photographs taken by Portland Camera Club members and these will be shown side by side, along with extra photographs and paintings , plus of course the usual yummy cakes and tea or coffee. The admission is free and the show is open from 10 - 4

I have done a little bit of fused glass work last month - a couple of pics below

If any of you are interested in how ancient stone age man made his cutting and scraping tools the Mesolithic Site at Culverwell  out near Portland Bill have a demonstration of flint knapping on 7th May from 2 to 4:30. No charge although a donation would be appreciated. There are also guided tours of the site on Sunday 6th (also 2:30 - 4)  and Monday 7th. You can park on site.

Wishing you happy crafting, painting etc

Martin