ingénu/e magazine issue 31, spring 2021

ingénu/e

creative talent revealed south downs and high weald : issue 31: spring 2021

Festivals Reloaded! and the return of performing arts

Art Trails, Open Studios, Exhibitions post-lockdown, artists display their work plus creative courses; book reviews; poetry & flash fiction

Enabling Aspirations

Inspiring Vision

Empowering Success

ART360 : Virtual Open Studio Event in April

Watch Artists in their studios every day

6PM on Crowdcast or FB Live

PURE POTENTIAL : Programmes & Courses

Foundation - Practitioner - Master Practitioner

Join our 5 day challenge in May helping take creatives from confusion to clarity

Watch & listen to Series 1-3 on website & apple podcasts Series 4 coming in the Autumn PURE TALKS

Visit the website for all information to register or join us

www.pureartsgroup.co.uk

www.pureartsgroup.co.uk

ingénu/e

Hello dear readers and welcome to spring!

who’s who & what’s what art trails, open studio, exhibitions visual arts & contemporary crafts performing arts festivals reloaded poetry, prose & illustration creative courses & workshops coda

creative talent revealed contents editor Gill Kaye editor@ingenuemagazine.co.uk for press releases pressdesk@ingenuemagazine.co.uk sales & marketing Roger Kaye sales@ingenuemagazine.co.uk 07583 944546 07816 838694 online www.ingenuemagazine.co.uk and big thanks to 2 Way Communcations for their invaluable help on the website www.2waycomm.uk

Bernardi Music Group at Knepp Castle, part of the Shipley Arts Festival. See Festivals Reloaded feature on page 40. www.bernardimusicgroup.co.uk

I have long harboured the desire to make the reading of poetry a daily ritual. Curled up in a sunny window, like a cat, with a cup of tea, imbibing the distilled evocations of poetry seems, to me, the perfect way to start the day. Whether sheer escapism or the poet's cryptic take on current society, poetry somehow feels wholesome. And although the popularity of poetry waxes and wanes both individually – as a young teenager writing poetry was something of a guilty secret – and culturally, it is nevertheless a powerful medium and we as a race have been communicating our thoughts, desires, opinions and traditions in this way since long before the printing press. A couple of years ago our friend and ingénu/e contributor, Steve Cook, embarked on a 'Poemathon', writing a poem a day for a year and sharing them daily on social media. He did it too. So I should at least be able to read one poem per day. You can read one of Steve's haikus in our poetry feature on p.60.

So finally we're gradually coming out of this crippling lockdown, thank goodness. We've all weathered this particular storm in different ways. The inability to meet and be with our fellow human beings seems to have been at the heart of the deprivation. Communication is such a vital element of life, any restriction of this is hard to bear. Yet the creative urge is so great that even those who have found it hard will no doubt draw retrospectively on the experience for future creations. Unlike those visual artists or writers who are still able at least to beaver away in their studio and study, performing artists have had it much more tough. I can't imagine the frustration of an actor, musician or dancer during these restricted times. But at last we can all start to get back to the theatres and venues, as both performer and audience, and drink deep of the magic. Because the impact of live performance is a kind of magic... it is, after all, communication. It can transcend the everyday, the bland, the little trials of life.

"if it's not in ingénu/e ...it's not

happening!"

Over the last year I have delved into theatrical productions and opera that such companies as the Royal Shakespeare Company, English National Opera and the Metropolitan Opera have generously made available online. Although not live, it offered some promise of the live experience and I was regularly transported. Wagner opera is often considered the domain of the hard core opera-goer, but the music, it must be said, is stirring – consider ‘The Ride of The Valkyries’ in Francis Ford Coppola's epic movie Apocalypse Now –and someone said of great American soprano Jessye Norman's spine-tingling rendition of ‘Liebestod’ from the tragic opera Tristan and Isolde, “if you could draw a bow across the very sinew of the cosmic fabric...”; and another, “Every time I listen to Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde tears come to my eyes. Wagner was a blatant anti-semite and I am a Jew – and it makes absolutely no difference to me. Beautiful music is beautiful music”. Now that's communication!

–Gill Kaye, editor

spotlight on... art trails, open studios, exhibitions

South East Open Studios

This summer, from 4th to 20th June, over 200 artists will once again throw open the doors of their studios to the public.

This vibrant event is about meeting artists, engaging with arts and crafts as an industry and connecting with artists as local business people… we all can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on.

Our 200 members have an incredible breadth of practice and wealth of talent in all areas of the arts; from painting, printmaking, pottery and ceramics, to jewellery making, glass and wood work, sculpting, textile art, digital work, illustration… and more!

SEOS takes place across Kent, East Sussex and the Surrey borders; look out for our printed Guide – if you can’t find it locally, please see the electronic version on our website – it is a terrific opportunity to plan a

day out around your favourite artworks in one of the most beautiful parts of the British countryside. Our artists are looking forward to welcoming you.

spotlight on... art trails, open studios, exhibitions

You can keep up to date with the latest news by signing up to our mailing list. Make sure to follow us on social media @seopenstudios and to see more work from our artists check out www.seos-art.org

top left: Frances Wells, Naked Raku Pot, ceramic; above: Beverley Johnson, Dungeness 2, linocut; top right: Debbie Lowe, Fine Silver Daisy Pendant; right: Frances Featherstone, The Best Seat In The House, oils; below right: Jennifer Blackwell, Looking Towards Coldrum, etching; below: Polly Hosp, Rainy Season Blues, monotype

spotlight on... art trails, open studios, exhibitions

to the sun and moon on water and her print processes, and Aldobranti will be exhibiting photographic results from ongoing research into the ‘cultural entanglement of the cast shadow with the Other’.

Other exhibiting artists are Sehila Craft, Maggie Cronk, Liz Hanan, Sandra Izard, Linda Nevill and Bridget Woods.

Through their paintings, prints, drawings, textiles and 3D work, visitors can see how each of these artists has interpreted the subject of Alchemy in their own unique way, spreading some magic through their art.

During the exhibition there will be a programme of short talks by some of the artists, please check the Oxmarket website for up-todate information before travelling.

Oxmarket Gallery, Chichester, 29th June to 11th July 2021. Admission is free.

Alchemy Exhibition

at the Oxmarket Gallery, Chichester

29th June to 11th July

Artel is an established group of contemporary artists who are based in and around Chichester. They hold an annual exhibition of their work with most pieces for sale. This year Alchemy is being held at the newly renovated Oxmarket Gallery in Chichester.

Sue England has explored the idea of materials repelling and mixing to produce new and unexpected visual results through various print methods, to produce prints and artists books.

Polly Dutton has created a body of work to reflect her internal responses to the lockdowns of 2020, the alchemical process of turning internal emotional chaos into a positive external embodiment, whilst Carol Naylor has handstitched long forgotten metallic threads and fabric pieces in her machine embroideries.

Cathy Somerville sees Alchemy as a metaphor to paint the enchantment of a peach orchard transforming from its winter starkness to a blossom glory.

Isabel Dodson is working with ‘The magic of colour” and Jackie Knee will show an automaton and drawings.

A series of monotypes by Deborah Richards are inspired by an alchemist’s response

For more information about the exhibition go to www.oxmarket.com and Artel's social media www.instagram.com/chigroupartel/ www.facebook.com/artelgroup where you can also contact the group.

pictured above left: Carol Naylor, Across the Bay, free motion machine embroidery; below: Sandra Izard, Fragility, acrylic on canvas; opposite top left: Linda Neville, Life Forceselemental blues, mixed media on paper; opposite top right: Cathy Somerville, Cherry Blossom, oil on canvas; oposite far right: Deborah Richards, Rother Pool Sun Stream 1, monotype

June 29th ~ July 11th 2021

Oxmarket Gallery

Chichester West Sussex

10 ~ 4.30

Closed Mondays Free Admission

An exhibition

https://www.facebook.com/artelgrouphttps://www.instagram.com/chigroupartel/ facebook.com/artelgroup instagram #chigroupartel

ARTIST OPEN HOUSES FESTIVAL

The Artists Open Houses (AOH) Festival moves to June this year

In its new June slot, alongside Brighton Fringe, the Artists Open Houses will be a central part of the cultural regeneration for the city. Following on from the May Brighton Festival, the AOH Festival will offer the first glimpse of brilliant new work from artists and makers emerging from the months of lockdown.

June 2021 AOH Festival weekends: May 29,30,31 (Bank Holiday) | June 5&6 | 12&13 | 19&20 | 26&27 www.aoh.org.uk

top: Becky Blair, AOH Brochure Cover artist 2021; below: South Heighton Pottery

EXHIBITING AS PART OF THE BRIGHTON ART TRAIL

SATURDAY & SUNDAY JUNE 5TH & 6TH

SATURDAY & SUNDAY JUNE 12TH & 13TH 11am until 6pm FREE ENTRY

SQUARE

BN3 1EG

Fleur Cowgill MA

Sharon Fraser-Hall MA

Hilary Kennet MA

Mark Wilson

spotlight on... art trails, open studios, exhibitions

Four Below Stairs at Brighton Artists’ Open Houses showcases a great diversity of artwork

This exhibition brings together four artists with very different practices, at a unique venue at 10 Brunswick Square in Hove. The space is an ungentrified basement, with original 19th century features. A piece of living history, it is redolent of the servants’ area during the late Georgian and early Victorian period.

The show embraces the work of three mark-makers who studied together to gained their MA qualification at Brighton University. The fourth, Mark Wilson, has an established reputation in Sussex as a painter of landscapes and seascapes.

Wilson paints very much as a storyteller working to communicate the restlessness he feels within a scene as a continuously shifting intensity of sound and movement. He invites the viewer to hear and feel as well as see so that what they experience is more like a narrative, something almost filmic.

For further information visit www.markwilsonart.com

Hilary Kennett’s work observes the spaces we inhabit and ‘the everyday’ that happens inside them. For this exhibition, she is creating site specific installations in response to the history and memories imbued within the basement at no. 10. Expect to see light and sound installations in the wine cellar and meat press, together with some screenprints.

For further information visit www.hilarykennet.com

Sharon Fraser Hall’s practice begins with the physical, push and pull of applying paint to canvas. As much material is removed as is added. Meaning fluctuates as the work progresses, as memories and associations bubble to the surface and are embraced or dismissed. Further layers of interpretation and understanding will become apparent when the objects are installed. Sharon says "This space is evocative of many lives lived and I'm curious to see how that context will impact the work".

For more information visit www.sharonfraserhall.com

Fleur Cowgill’s inspiration is rooted in natural forms delicately balanced against poetic or philosophical thoughts and notions. Cowgill doesn’t try to ‘illustrate’ her thoughts, but rather ‘evoke’ something of her inspirations in her artworks – with paint on canvas, film on Perspex or pastel on tracing paper.

For more information visit www.fleurcowgillartist.com

The exhibition runs as part of Brighton Artists’ Open House Festival for two weekends of 5th and 6th of June and 12th and 13th of June, 11am – 6pm, at 10 Brunswick Square, Hove, BN3 1EG. Visit www.aoh.org.uk for further information.

pictured left to right: Sharon Fraser Hall

Fleur Cowgill

Hilary Kennett

Mark Wilson

spotlight on... art trails, open studios, exhibitions

Crowborough Arts Open Studios

Crowborough Arts is a community arts organisation that covers all aspects of the arts – music, literature, drama/performance, poetry and the visual arts. Over 150 members support and participate in the various activities that are put on throughout the year.

2020 was Crowborough Arts’ tenth birthday, but sadly all their events were cancelled because of the pandemic. However, this year a bumper programme is planned to make up for lost time, and as well as the exciting concerts and literary events that are already booked, their annual Open Studios is planned for September. It looks like a special year for the exhibition and will feature artists from Brighton, Fairwarp, Mayfield and Tunbridge Wells as well as work by more local artists.

Crowborough Arts try to provide venues for people to share if they do not have their own space, which makes it more interesting for visitors as they can view the work of several artists in one venue. If you are interested in exhibiting yourself, please go to Crowborough Arts’ website to find details and entry forms, www.crowboroughopenstudios.co.uk. Work in all media plus crafts and 3D are accepted but the closing date is 16th April so get your form in soon!

pictured top: Carmel Yearwood; mid left: East Grinstead Concert Band; left: Jane Smith (quilting and textiles)

Susie Olford

A Light at the End of the Tunnel is a phrase which will be well used this year. I feel there is Light on My Easel. Light on the palette knife and paint to cheer and enthuse me to begin spring work. As I write, the sun shines and warms through the glass towards my easel –even though the cold north and east winds blow outside.

There is important news about Chichester Open Studios Art Trail – the date has moved from May to July (see below). New Trail dates in Summer give an opportunity to display some work in the open air which makes viewing easier in the current circumstances. Full of enthusiasm, I have spent a year on new paintings still not seen in public. There is an eagerness to safely share. QR codes will be displayed,

test and trace will operate, plus any other covid-related government guidelines.

My paintings in oil or acrylic remain cheerful and bright. I love the open air, live near the sea, with lots of weather and clouds. My paintings are also exhibited by The Little Art Gallery, West Wittering.

For more information visit the art trail website: www.chichesterarttrail.org. You will find me at Venue 38, on the eastern side of the Trail’s geographic area, Regis Section. It is a short drive on the A259 from Littlehampton to the Felpham roundabout, exit Flansham, PO22 8NJ. The venue is a spacious barn with wheelchair access.

Dates: 10th, 11th, and 17th, 18th July 2021. smoart@btinternet.com

pictured: Susie Olford, Song of the Sea, oils

Longleys Studio Barns

After a year’s absence Longleys Studio Barns is very happy to open up this year with renewed enthusiasm and an exciting new body of work from all ten participating professional Sussex artists.

We are looking forward to welcome you to our Farmhouse and barns situated in a lovely Sussex country garden setting. In our new show you will find high quality paintings, original prints, indoor and garden sculptures, ceramics and unique stunning jewellery.

Do come and join us. As well as discovering great art you can linger a little longer whilst enjoying our refreshments and delicious home-made cakes served in one of the barns and in the gardens in aid of St. Wilfrid’s Hospice Charity.

We are open at the weekends of 26th & 27th June and 3rd & 4th July, 11.00am to 5.00pm. Longleys Studio Barns, Harebeating Lane, Hailsham BN27 1ER. Tel 07740 104501 www.Longleysstudiobarns.com

If through unforeseen circumstances Covid regulations change please check our website for up to date opening info.

pictured above: Gina Lelliott 'Peonies (Bowl of Beauty)', fused glass, 50x40 cms; left: Simone Riley 'Exit Stage Left'; in advert opposite –at top: Michele Findlay 'Cuckmere Cottages'; bottom left: Paul Jordan, sculpture (2); bottom right: Veronica van Eijk, 'Flowers Toss their Heads', oils on canvas, 94x61 cms

LONGLEYS STUDIO BARNS

HIGH QUALITY WORK BY TEN PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS

Barns – farmhouse – gardens – refreshments

Sat 26th & Sun 27th June and Sat 3rd & Sun 4th July

11.00am – 5.00pm

Longleys Studio Barns

Harebeating Lane

Hailsham BN27 1ER 07740 104501

www.longleysstudiobarns.com www.vaneijkarts.com

www.longleysstudiobarns.com www.vaneijkarts.com

Artgenu/e

by Lesley Samms | Pure Fine Art

Introduction to... PHOTOGRAPHY

You don't take a photograph, you make it. – Ansel Adams

Photography is a dynamic artistic medium. Broadly, it refers to the process of creating a photo as an image produced by light on a light sensitive material(s).

The history of photography began with the discovery of two critical principles: camera obscura image projection, knowledge of which is thought to date from the 4th century BCE, and the observation that some substances are visibly altered by exposure to light. In the mid-1820s, Nicéphore Niépce was the first person to fix an image that was captured with a camera, but it required an incredibly long exposure

time (at least eight hours) and the results were very rough. Niépce's associate Louis Daguerre however went on to develop the daguerreotype process, the first publicly announced and commercially viable photographic process, requiring only minutes of exposure and clear, defined results.

Portraiture was the main driver for the early adoption of photography as an art form. Portrait painting was only available to aristocrats and the very wealthy. Photography changed all this, by offering an affordable alternative. Consequently, photography fundamentally changed the face of art. No longer were artists required to present a ‘photo’ realistic view, as this could now be created in the camera. This led to a revolution in art genre and the arrival of movements such as cubism and surrealism.

Sir John Herschel coined the word photograph in 1839, based on Greek ‘phos’ meaning ‘light’ and ‘graphe’ meaning ‘drawing’. Photograph literally means drawing with light. The first photography exhibition took place in 1858 at the (now) Victoria and Albert Museum!

Unlike some other artistic mediums, photography took time to be accepted as a fine art medium. Today, however, many photographic fine artworks are created using a camera. For example, artist David Hockney used his Ipad as a medium for artworks he exhibited as part of his ‘Bigger Picture’ exhibition at the Royal Academy in 2012.

There are two types of fine art photography – digital and non-digital. Most of us will be highly familiar with digital photography, as the majority of us have a smart phone in our pockets! However, non-digital photography uses two chemical processes to produce the artwork. A light sensitive film or surface is used to capture a negative image, from which a positive image can be made when printing. Photography as a medium, specifically digital photography, led to a

surge in printmaking, and specifically giclee printing.

At Pure, we are delighted to be currently hosting a photography exhibition with ART360 artist Richard Heeps, entitled ‘Speed, Lifestyle & Technicolour’.

“Richard's seductive, highly saturated colours and sophisticated pictorial structures demonstrate a true love and empathy for his subject matter – be it cool descriptive interiors, still life or landscape. His distinctive style pushes the limits of lens-based photography without the need for digital manipulation.”

For more information about Pure Arts Group and ART360 go to www.pureartsgroup.co.uk

visual arts & contemporary crafts

Photographs by Richard Heeps –pictured bottom left: Ices, Bexhill-onSea, 2020; top left: 11. Space, Ibiza, The Balearic Islands, 2016; right: SwimInPool; below: Anita

www.townereastbourne.org.uk

Looking for inspiration for your home or the perfect present?

Browse our easy to use online store www.artspringgallery.co.uk/shop

Open from 14 April Wed - Sat 11-4 167 High Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1BX

Follow us on social media @artspringallery T: 01732 365924 E: gallery@artspringgallery.co.uk

Then brighten up your day with the only regional arts & culture magazine in the South East. For just £9.95 a year you can have ingénu/e magazine delivered to your door each quarter. Visit www.ingenuemagazine.co.uk or email

Pete Gilbert, Blue bells

BLUEVIEW ART STUDIO

Situated in South Ferring by the beach, Blueview Art Studio was created to host Worthing Artists Open Houses in 2017. Originally a garden outbuilding it was turned, by Cathy Verney and her husband Mike, into the little gallery shop you see today where Cathy sells her photographic wall art and gifts.

Her work is inspired by a love of colour, light and texture and is constantly evolving as Cathy enjoys experimenting by découpaging her images and distorting them in to unique works of art on aluminium, acrylic, canvas or wood. Her photographic gifts range from postcards and prints, coasters and mugs to chopping boards, cushions, rugs and beach towels.

At least two artists a year are invited to exhibit and the current artists are Tina Gunstone, a jewellery designer who crafts her unique pieces from silver clay and Loraine Scott, who creates beautiful wooden gifts and stained glass art.

The Studio is due to reopen on Sunday 18th April from 2.00 – 5.00pm with a scaled down Open House later this summer. You’ll find the Studio at 1 The Strand, Ferring BN12 5QX.

For more details about the Studio call 07990 521587; email blueviewartstudio@gmail.com; follow them on social media: @blueviewartstudio and www.facebook.com/blueviewartstudio; or visit their website: www.blueviewartstudio.co.uk

Open Sundays 3.00 – 5.30pm or by appointment. Parking is available and it is wheelchair friendly.

top: Cathy Verney, rug; mid: Loraine Scott, glass art; above: Tina Gunstone, silver clay jewellery; left: Blue View Art Studio interior

Debbie Smith Jewellery Designer

Debbie presents a new range of individually designed jewellery with a special message.

I’m always being asked to make something special for someone, and as each such piece I create is individual – a personal gift to someone to celebrate a milestone, an achievement, or a thank you or just simply saying something – I came up with the idea of launching a new range called “Just saying...” and that’s exactly what these silver pieces are about!

I’ve just been asked to make a silver pendant for a marriage proposal: “Will you marry me?” and featured in the photo 'Just saying...' are two pendants featuring the messages: “in a world where you can be anyone, be kind” and simply “I love you”.

All these pieces are individual and the chosen words are stamped onto the silver by hand. Please contact me for prices and more details. Instagram: @thejewellery.workshop www.thejewellery-workshop.co.uk

Tel: 07775 884990

Pier Road Coffee & Art

Based in Littlehampton and run by Mike La-Traille and Lucy Harvey, the gallery combines the work of over 200 artists (90% of them Sussex-based) whilst also selling well priced Lavazza Coffee, Hoogly Tea and homemade cakes by Tideways Sweet Treats.

The winner of the Arun Partnership New Business of the Year Award in 2019, and placed in the top ten cafés in the area by the Gazette Newspaper Group, Pier Road Coffee & Art boasts a range of resident artists, including photographers Mike & Lucy as well as Kevin Hicks, Pete Beal and Trevor Fryer. Trevor also offers portrait photography in the gallery’s sister studio space – Beach Road, which is also based in Littlehampton.

Other residents include glass makers, painters, ceramicists, textile artists and digital artists including Mike Payne who is best known for the Tatty Teddy Bears.

The gallery is pleased to be open for browsing on 12th April, and is currently open for take away drinks and click and collect for the art.

During the lockdown, the gallery has added and improved their website, visit www.pierroadcoffeeart.co.uk for more information about the gallery.

pictured right: 'Seascape' by resident textile artist Jane Taylor

1-2 Pier Road, Littlehampton, BN17 5BA Open 6 days a week (except Monday) www.facebook.com/pierroadcoffeeart www.pierroadcoffeeart.co.uk

the little art gallery

Hopefully as the summer develops we will all find we are able to return to some form of normality.

We will be opening 15th April with a continuous mixed display of work by all our artists who have been unable to have the benefit of their planned exhibitions.

The Festival of Chichester will start on 12th June with Maggie Cochran, Susie Monnington and Frances Knight with a mixed show 'Inspired by Light'. We are looking forward to having a very interesting exhibition by these popular artists whose work should complement each other’s styles.

Chichester Art Trail has moved to July so Linda Foskett will be taking over the whole gallery and filling it with her own work. As a multi-media artist it should prove an interesting venue with oil paintings, printmaking, enamels on copper and also silver jewellery.

We will have examples of the work by all our other artists available at all times. As our regular opening times are usually only Thursday to Sunday we are always happy to open at other times by appointment. This can work well in Covid times as you can have the gallery to yourself to browse and discuss your needs at leisure. Visit www.thelittleartgallery.online

opposte top: Maggie Cochrane, Last of the Light; inset: Susie Monnington, Light and Space Talk; top: Linda Foskett, New Dawn; above: Frances Knight, East Head May Morning

visual arts & contemporary crafts

Screens4printing ‘does what it says on the tin’, providing lightweight manageable screens and squeegees in a range of screen sizes from mini (printable area 6cm x 10cm) which is so suitable for logos, to the large screen with its printable area of 23.5cm x 35cm. You send in a design – logo/T-shirt image – or anything that you want to print over and over again. Screens4printing will turn that design into a screen that is easily used, stored and maintained.

The thermal technology that produces the images can print very fine detail and can even reproduce photo images, something that only photo emulsion silk screens could do before. Screens4printing though, does this at a fraction of the cost.

Affordable & Easy to Use Screens For Printing

With the optimism that comes with the easing of lockdown, screens4printing, which has kept trading throughout the pandemic, is looking forward to providing artists, along with new and returning business owners, with affordable screens for all their creative and business needs.

If you don’t have your own design and want to make cards or print for fun on to fabric/ceramic/ glass/cakes, then you can buy from the hundredplus stock designs that screens4printing have created. From fish to fowl, flower to feather, along with the ever popular geometric and texture designs, screens4printing have something for everyone!

EstherN Art

Esther Newnham Brown

Behind the scenes with Sussex artist Esther Newnham Brown.

I work in my studio in the garden of our house in Rusper producing paintings of various sizes, subjects and styles, and in my book, there are no rules. You have to enjoy what you do and you must have fun with your brushes and paints, which I hope radiates from my work. I work on ideas that pop into my head at any one time, I have no particular style, but at the end of the day if people like what they see and buy it then life is happy!

I work mainly in acrylics and oils and occasional watercolours. Pictures are started, placed to one side when boredom kicks in with it, when I get stuck on how to proceed, before making an absolute mess of it and marching it down to the bonfire – which has happened, only to be stopped by my husband who kindly points out tomorrow is another day with it. But

at the moment, there is a stack of approximately seven to eight half finished canvases awaiting brushes and paint!

But on a serious note, I have always painted from an early age, encouraged by my grandfather and father who was an artist, as was my great grandfather, so art runs very strongly in the family. Most of my work can be seen at Gallery BN5 in Henfield which I run with Nina Smith who is a fused glass artist. As a member of Horsham Artists my work can also be viewed on their website, Artists and Illustrators website and Gallery BN5 website. Email estherbrown21@gmail.com for enquiries.

pictured top: Esther Newnham Brown, Low Sun; left: Esther Newnham Brown, Winter to Spring; image in advert at left: Battersea Sunset

Spring

and

Sunshine at SHOREHAM GALLERY

Spring is definitely in the air and we have a lot of inspiring work for you to enjoy at Shoreham Art Gallery from April onwards created by our Gallery members and a wide range of fabulous guest artists.

Sarah Dudley is April’s special Guest Artist. Sarah creates quirky textile characters taking her inspiration from the wildlife in the English countryside, including the foxes, mice, birds and badgers that regularly visit her garden in West Sussex.

Another real treat this month is Teresa Martin’s solo exhibition of sculpture in the upstairs Gallery space. Teresa has been creatively casting stunning sculptures in various durable materials such as metal and stone resins. Organic forms and dynamic textures are a constant theme. Teresa’s work is also displayed in the Gallery’s Sculpture garden. You can read more about Teresa’s interesting processes on the gallery blog.

In May ceramist Jola Spytkowska

will be returning to the Gallery as our Guest Artist. Jola is well known for her humorous ceramic creatures, mini beasts, planters and 'Bags of Character' that she creates in her London studio. Her work is

visual arts & contemporary crafts

always very popular and is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

Amazing glass artist Rebecca Rowland-Chandler will be exhibiting as June’s Guest Artist. Rebecca creates objects of beauty that allude to the natural world, researching structural and decorative elements that combine the organic with the geometric. Often inspired by her travels and the landscape, her glasswork celebrates the colour and light of spring and summertime. Perfect for this time of year.

Although we have continued with online events and window exhibitions during lockdown we are really looking forward to welcoming visitors back to see all the artwork that our artists and makers have been creating; fused and stained glass, textiles and turned wood, photographs, prints and paintings, as well as beautifully crafted jewellery.

All the artwork at the Gallery is very reasonably priced and there is a wide range of original work for everyone to enjoy at home and in the garden. And if there is something you can’t see, many of the artists take on commissions making bespoke pieces.

By visiting www.shorehamgallery.co.uk/news/ you can find out more information about what’s going on at the Gallery and you can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

The Online Gallery and Online Shop are always open and offers FREE delivery to the BN43 area.

opposite top: Jola Spytkowska, Small Bird Bowls; opposite bottom: Teresa Martin, Walk in the Sun; above: Abby Martin, Company of Columbidae; left: Sarah Dudley, Elliot Mouse

visual arts & contemporary crafts

Gill Bustamante Painting during the pandemic

As an artist, I have been very fortunate during this Covid era in that I was already used to my own company. And, in fact, thrive on it as part of my working practice as a visual artist.

Interestingly, because of the increased restrictions and uncertainties of the pandemic, I have felt the urge to paint bigger and with even more exuberance than usual. It is human nature to fight any negative situation by creating as much happiness or beauty or laughter as we can.

Many artists have responded the same way I think. At the very least, the pandemic is sparking off a rich array of beautiful music, writing, art, comedy, film making and creativity generally. Which is fabulous as that is the job of creatives. Without them, life on earth would be untenable.

So, as described, I have been busy and I have chosen here an example of one of the large paintings I have been working on over the last year that best represent the beautiful nature I have seen during

visual arts & contemporary crafts

through the trees. It is dreamlike and yet at the same time it is based on a real place. To see if you can spot it for yourself, go to Furnace Lane TN8 7JN, park at the bridge and walk down the lane…

A final note is that more and more people have taken up a craft or other creative endeavour since the pandemic began and more and more walking has been done. These people are far less likely to suffer ‘mental health’ issues as a result!

Best wishes, Gill

Bustamante

Gill Bustamante – Artist and Art Tutor 07815 036 576 www.gillbustamante.com www.facebook.com/GillBustamanteArtist www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SussexPaintings https://www.pinterest.co.uk/gillbustamante/abstractlandscapes-by-gill-bustamante/ https://www.instagram.com/gill.bustamante.artist/ https://www.youtube.com/c/GillBustamante

left: Song of August; below, Gill drawing on location

this time. My working method is to walk, take photos and mental impressions of things I see and then I go home and paint largely from memory so that I have some kind of ‘echo’ of wherever I have been.

This painting is called Song of August and took most of August to complete. It was very much inspired by walking around in Sussex along rivers with ancient millponds such as those at Cowden or Barcombe. Many are left over from old medieval and Roman iron industries as the Sussex Weald was once the key producer of cannon balls and iron goods. Some of the ponds are now fishing lakes and this particular scene was my attempt to capture that wonderful feeling you get when are walking and suddenly spot something interesting

Looking forward at ARTSPRING GALLERY

Hopefulness is in abundance at ArtSpring Gallery whose artist members are planning for its reopening on 14th April.

The Tonbridge-based artist collective has not been idle during lockdown and the Gallery’s online shop has been essential in staying connected with many viewers and customers. ArtSpring generously donated 10% of all sales to NHS Charities Together through their #JanuaryKindness campaign. Now they are looking forward to welcoming visitors through their door to view in person the exciting new display of contemporary work.

On display will be a whole new range of paintings, drawings, ceramics, jewellery and glassware by artist members. An exciting addition for April are colourful and joyful paintings from guest artist Baljit Balrow whose British Indian cultural identity feeds into her work using colour psychology and pattern, as well as guest ceramicist Rosie Tweedale's wood inspired ceramics.

In May and June, two more guest artists will be featured. Whitstable-based Daphne Candler explores her world through mixed media. Ceramicist Jane Gibson has developed an unusual technique of firing her pots in a paper kiln with added wood in a brick surround, producing a burnished finish with fire markings, similar to pit firing.

Looking ahead, June will see a whole profusion of art in Tonbridge with an Art Fair, South East Open Studios and the opening of a new art hub in the town.

ArtSpring are planning to take part in the Tonbridge Art Fair 2021 which is scheduled to take place along the banks of the River Medway on Saturday 5th June from 10am to 5pm. Some of the gallery artists will be taking part in South East Open Studios in and around

Tonbridge – for all the information please go to www.seos-art.org/about-the-event/

And there is a real buzz about the new Escape Art Centre at the Tonbridge Old Fire Station opening in June, which will include a cafe and wine bar. So there are exciting and art-filled times ahead for Tonbridge, Covid permitting.

www.artspringgallery.co.uk

visual arts & contemporary crafts

pictured opposite top: Paul Chave, three of his 'Piet' range, kilnformed glass and slate; above: Baljit Balrow, Lemon Egg; top right: Jane Gibson, Ceramics right: Ruth McDonald, Ripped Cove, collage of screen prints with fine line pen; below: Katie Whitbread, Across the Downs 2, oil on board; opposite bottom: Daphne Candler, Now and Then, mixed media

Miles ‘Mosaic in Blue’

Sculptor Guy Portelli discusses his latest work and reveals news of an upcoming new Arts Hub in Tonbridge

I have always been interested in the relationship between art and music, not only the fashion and the politics, but the rhythms, pulse, harmony and discord that is both present in art and music. Over the years this fascination has taken me across the world and into the homes of many great musicians and even on to the BBC’s Dragons Den.

My latest sculpture, inspired by the tracks on ‘Kind of Blue’ by Miles Davis, is a new departure for me, it is the creation of an art work based on an album. The album itself being an exploration of the modal scale and a Japanese art form, where the artist can only apply paint once onto the paper and there can be no alterations. Forced to be spontaneous, the artist must paint on a thin stretched parchment with a special brush and black water paint in such a way that an unnatural or interrupted stroke will destroy the line or break through the parchment. Erasures or changes are impossible. These artists must practice a particular discipline of allowing the idea to express itself in communication with their hands in such a direct

way that deliberation cannot interfere.

Widely considered as the greatest jazz album, ‘Kind of Blue’ has been in my collection for many years and I have enjoyed revisiting it in an academic way and finding a new way of illustrating my musical interest.

I became aware of the beauty of the handwritten staves while researching another project, and realised that the musical notation was a form of artistic communication that spoke a language to many people. I selected one solo from each of the musicians, and replicated them on to the panel, and this acted as a

visual arts

framework that all the other images could hang on.

Many of the great musicians of the day performed on the Kind of Blue sessions which took place in April of 1959, the whole album being recorded in just two days. I have incorporated the portraits of all the musicians: John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley and Bill Evans among them.

This sculpture will be on show with the Royal Society of British Artists at the Mall Galleries in London from the 15th to 24th April. www.portelli-sculptor.co.uk

I am exhibiting in Japan and Dubai at the moment as well as working with Richard Collins in creating a new cultural hub for Tonbridge. We will be launching the Escape Art Centre in the Old Fire Station Building, from the 21st of June 2021.

top: Miles Mosaic in Blue sculpture; right: Guy Portelli with sculpture, both photos by Rabah Ichadadene; bottom left: Old Fire Station in Tonbridge, soon to be 'Escape' arts hub

TOWNER EASTBOURNE

to present first major exhibition of John Nash works in fifty years

Towner Eastbourne and Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park are pleased to present the most comprehensive major exhibition of work in over 50 years by John Nash, one of the most versatile and prolific artists of the 20th century. The Landscape of Love and Solace opens at Towner on 1st May until 26th September 2021 and travels to Compton Verney from 23rd October 2021 to 2nd January 2022.

In a career spanning more than seven decades, Nash produced work across a range of mediums, from iconic oil paintings, now housed in some of Britain’s most important collections, to accomplished wood engravings, line-drawings, lithographs and water-

colours. Combining acute observation and a strong individual vision his oeuvre includes many of the finest depictions of the British landscape created in the 20th century. Often overshadowed by his brother and fellow artist Paul Nash, John Nash has not been the subject of a major exhibition since the Royal Academy’s retrospective exhibition of his work in 1967, which at that time was also an unprecedented honour for a living Royal Academician. Nash was one of a small number of artists who were Official War Artists in both the First and Second World Wars. An artist who did not have formal art school training, he was greatly respected by his contemporaries, particularly for his production of one of the most highly regarded paintings of the Great War, Over the

visual arts & contemporary crafts

Top, 1918, now in the Imperial War Museum Collection. He is also now renowned for his ‘thanksgiving to survival’ of the Great War, The Corn Field, 1918, which features in this exhibition along with a range of other first and second world war-era works.

Nash was a comic illustrator of note and was also a keen plantsman, creating gardens from the 1920s onwards, developing into arguably one of the 20th century’s greatest botanical artists. Renowned in the horticultural world as a judge at Chelsea Flower Show, he also passed on these skills through his teaching at the Royal College of Art and Flatford Mill in Suffolk. A wide range of these botanical works will be seen for the first time in this exhibition and is a chance for audiences to see Nash’s oeuvre at its most broadlandscape created in the 20th century.

Trustee of the Garfield Weston Foundation, said: “We are delighted that the Weston Loan Programme has been able to support the display of these important paintings by John Nash in both Eastbourne and Warwickshire – bringing this artist’s work to new audiences and dedicating a major exhibition to him for the first time in over fifty years.” The Landscape of Love and Solace has been co-curated by Andy Friend, independent curator and Sara Cooper, Head of Exhibitions and Collections, Towner Eastbourne and

organised for Compton Verney by Penelope Sexton, Senior Curator, Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park.

Sara Cooper said, “Bringing this exhibition to Towner Eastbourne will be a highlight of our 2021 programme. Drawing on such a vast body of work made over a lifetime of creating, from an artist whose practice captured such a great range of landscapes and drew on such a range of inspirations – from the botanical to the political to the personal – the exhibition allows audiences many entry points to delve into the story of John Nash”.

Thames & Hudson will publish a long overdue biography of John Nash, with the same title as the exhibition, in September 2020. Written by Andy Friend, with a foreword by David Dimbleby, it draws on original research to provide great insight into Nash’s life, work and artistic and personal relationships.

Tickets for the exhibition are on sale now. Visit www.townereastbourne.org.uk for all information.

opposite: John Nash, Oppy Wood, 1918. Oil on canvas. © Imperial War Museum below: John Nash, Over the Top, 1st Artistic Rifles at Marcoing, 30th December 1917, 1918. Oil on canvas. ©Imperial War Museum

In search of the Lost Chord? The rebirth of

the Performing Arts

The first words of the Moody Blue’s 1968 album ‘In Search of the Lost Chord’ are as follows: “Be it sight, sound, smell or touch / There's something inside that we need so much.”

The album is very much of its time, with a marvellously mystical cover painting by Phil Travers and by degrees it touches on the psychedelic, the spiritual, the philosophical, lost love and so on and is a quintessential prog rock album.

But what is that which is inside us that we need so much? Well, I’m sure there could be many answers to that relatively deep question, but I’m going to have a crack at it. My answer is aesthetics – beauty – in all its many manifestations. And beautiful art of all genres is probably the one thing that can instantly break through any mental or spiritual impediment and reach deep into us human beings and touch our very souls.

Which leads me to begin to celebrate the return of live performing arts from, I’m led to believe, 21st June. We have been starved for over a year now and are in dire need of nourishment. Ballet, all dance forms, opera and music of all genres, plays, musicals, films et al will all be reborn in the summer, all things being equal.

Let’s hope this is the beginning of a new era, a renaissance if you will. And let’s support all the venues, performers and administrators who will be bringing the world back to life. They need us as much as we need them!

–Roger Kaye

top: Swan Lake, The Russian State Ballet; inset: In Search of the Lost Chord album cover; below: Eusebius Quartet (playing at Lewes Chamber Music Festival 2021)

Tony Biggin’s Requiem is a beautiful new work for SATB* chorus and soprano solo with chamber orchestra or piano/organ and harp accompaniment.

It is written to be accessible to a wide range of choral groups of varying skills and sizes and for performance in a range of venues. Although written as a complete work, most of the nine varied movements also work well as stand-alone pieces.

The powerful work takes the performer and audience on an emotional, reflective and dramatic journey. The essence of Requiem is explored through the traditional Latin, a well loved Rossetti poem and some completely new text. A perfect combination of varied and contrasting movements explore themes ranging from dramatic outrage, grief, loss and sadness to hope, light and love.

The music, though accessible and rooted in traditional harmonic structure with lyrical, memorable melodies, also incorporates contrasting use of more challenging rhythmic and harmonic devices. Deeply evocative, many of the movements have hauntingly beautiful melodies, underpinned with sublime harmonies.

The breadth of styles, pace, melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic devices serve to create the moving, sensitive, thoughtful and powerful experience that make this Requiem so special.

A review in the Hastings Observer stated that the Requiem was 'The highlight of the second half…took the audience to new levels of emotion'.

Over the course of his career Tony Biggin has composed for the concert hall, the theatre, TV, radio and schools in a wide range of popular and classical

*soprano, alto, tenor and bass

styles within which melody is central. His works have been performed by orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal National Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Manchester Camerata.

A concern for social justice has inspired much of his output with works such as Cry of the Earth, to a libretto by Alec Davison, being even more prescient than he imagined in 1990 when it was premiered at the Royal Festival Hall.

He has also held numerous posts in music education and moved to East Sussex in 2005 when he was appointed Director of the East Sussex Music Service, a post he held until retirement from a day job in 2013.

The beauty of the South Downs inspired a A Sussex Overture, written for the East Sussex Youth Orchestra as well as The Long Man’s Legs, along with ten annual Big Sings for primary schools which involved up to two thousand children per year.

As a result of the postponement of public performance, including a production of the Requiem which would have taken place in Leiden, the Netherlands, in May 2020, he has concentrated on composing new work and recently completed String!, a full-length piece of community music-theatre for Hailsham Festival, with book and lyrics by Stephen Plaice. Set in the town of Hailsham and surrounding area it is rooted in the Hailsham rope industry and a showcase concert is planned for September 2021.

To find out more or to listen to Tony Biggin’s Requiem please visit www.tonybiggin.com/Requiem

pictured: top, Requiem score front cover; right: Tony Biggin; bottom: Choir in Leiden, Netherlands, singing a choral piece by Tony Biggin, 2016

BY TONY BIGGIN

Uckfield Picture House & Restaurant

Excited about the summer reopening

Although the cinema has been closed, The Picture House Restaurant has kept very busy delivering delicious takeaways from pizzas and burgers to Sunday lunches and three course meals.

The restaurant team are now busy preparing a delicious summer menu using lots of seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.

Cinema owner Kevin Markwick has been busy developing his film podcast The Sound of The Picture House. Kevin chats to special guests, including award winning journalist Samira Ahmed, actor and director Andy Nyman and film composer H Scott Selina, as they reminisce about their favourite cinemas, favourite films, most popular film scores and their top big screen moments.

The cinema team are planning a great film schedule including some special charity screenings in our new screen, The Lounge. Films coming this summer include Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway; The Father; and Top Gun: Maverick.

Both the cinema and the restaurant have rigorous safety procedures in line with government guidelines and very much look forward to welcoming you back to the cinema and restaurant in May.

Find all links to The Picture House at https://linktr.ee/thepicturehouseuckfield and also www.picturehouseuckfield.com.

pictured from top: The Father; Uckfield Picture House new screen, The Lounge; Top Gun: Maverick; Peter Rabbit

festivals reloaded

After a year of near aesthetic starvation, here is something to satiate our cultural hunger – a smorgasbord of festivals to feast on that will be returning this year. Let’s support them by turning up in our droves!

THE SHIPLEY ARTS FESTIVAL

Celebrating 21 years

Thefestival has exceeded anything we imagined and hoped for at the outset. There are so many magical parts to the festival that brings our communities together with the Churches and the great country estates which host our concerts. Thank you all for being with us on our journey.”

These are words said by Andrew Bernardi at the launch of the 20th anniversary programme for the Shipley Arts Festival, and they just about sum it up perfectly!

Starting from an idea sprung from a conversation at a Charity Concert at Shipley Parish Church over 21 years ago, the Shipley Arts Festival has grown to be recognised as one of the most inclusive and diverse Music Festivals in the UK, with internationally based musicians returning year on year to perform.

The composer John Ireland rests at Shipley Parish

church and his continuing presence in the festival’s music has served to form a basis for their achievements for over two centuries. Inspired by English music, there is a passion to continue John Ireland’s tradition of creating and performing music inspired by Sussex. The commissioning of new music, both for Sussex and the festival, has been a huge and ongoing feature of this unique event, with many of the Shipley Arts Festival’s compositions being written by leading musicians and composers.

Over its twenty plus years of making music for the community, more than thirty new works have been given prominence through the Festival. These include pieces by: Professor Malcolm Singer, Professor of Composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and former Director of the Yehudi Menuhin School of Music; Cecilia McDowall, who is regarded as one of the UK’s leading female composers; Roderick Williams OBE who is widely regarded as the world’s leading baritone and an increasingly significant composer; and the late John Lord, famed Hammond keyboard player from the rock band Deep Purple.

The Shipley Arts Festival is also widely respected for engaging and providing a stage for musicians of all ages and standards to perform and contribute to the programme of events; including the Bernardi Music Group’s String Academy. On these occasions, highly respected professional musicians play alongside their youth counterparts; providing a unique

learning opportunity for the students that perform as part of a larger orchestra and learn from the best!

Achievements on the website show how immensely proud this classical music festival is to be part of these talented musicians' journeys, many of whom progress to become professional musicians, securing prestigious positions and awards within the classical music industry.

Last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival was one of the few in the country to complete its programme of events, by performing and sharing remotely online. The festival led classical music’s online field and was the first to integrate state of the art animation technology into its online performances. And to mark its 21st Anniversary, this year it has launched live streaming so that future concerts may be attended in person, or viewed live online through their new streaming technology.

As the festival has grown and become established over more than two decades, each year the festival has pushed boundaries and become increasingly embedded in

our local Sussex communities. However, Andrew Bernardi is quick to point out that “The support of our sponsors: Toovey’s Auctioneers, Kreston Reeves, Nyetimber Wines, NFU Mutual and Wakefields; together with our partner YuYuan Arts and the Festival Friends, are key to our success in bringing our communities together. Without them, we could not have achieved this outstanding success. It has been an extraordinary journey, and one we look forward to developing for many years”.

For more information on the Friends of Shipley Arts Festival membership packages and the upcoming 2021 celebratory programme, please visit www.bernardimusicgroup.co.uk or email andrew@bernardimusicgroup.com.

above: Andrew Bernardi and the Bernardi Music Group below: Pupils from from seven local schools attend workshop and perform 'Dragons' by Malcolm Singer alongside professional musicians; opposite page: Malcolm Singer with String Academy, The Yehudi Menuhin School Orchestra, and 382 pupils from across Horsham Schools in the closing of Shipley Arts Festival and Horsham Year of Culture 2019;

DEAL MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL

Thurs 1st July to Sat 17th July

ingénu/e is so very glad to receive the following positive news from the festival:

We have launched our 2021 Festival, honed down to ensure safety but with the proviso that those we have to postpone will be with us in 2022.

We are focussing on youth and have invited some of the most talented young musicians to join us, these include Samuele Telari, a rising star of the classical accordion, with a concert to include works by Vivaldi, Grieg plus Mussorgsky’s mighty Pictures at an Exhibition. Michael Foyle and Maksim Štšura will delight us with the complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas. Lithuanian pianist Rokas Valuntonis performs works by Schumann, Chopin and Fanny Mendelssohn, preceded by a talk from BBC3 Journalist Christopher Cook entitled Sister and Brother in Music – Fanny and

Felix Mendelssohn. Jamie Rogers, Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral will give an organ recital plus double bass player Tony Hughes, winner of the String Section Final of the Royal Over-Seas League Arts Competition.

We celebrate the best of our nation’s young talent with NYJO (National Youth Jazz Orchestra), Guildhall’s Historic Performance Department who will work with Academy of Ancient Music, and the super-talented students from the Purcell School. We also focus on the impact women have made in art in times when equality was either diminished or denied, specifically profiling J.S. Bach’s wife, Dame Ethel Smythe and Virginia Wolf.

With a full range of free community events as well as outdoor concerts and plays, including Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Walmer Castle, Deal 2021 promises to raise the spirits once more.

Visit https://dealmusicandarts.com for full details.

top: Academy of Ancient Music below: National Youth Jazz Orchestra

LEWES CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

10th to 12th June

The past year has not been easy for anyone. It was with a heavy heart that we cancelled our plans for the June 2020 Festival, replacing it with a summer video series of mini performances professionally recorded from the musicians’ homes and empty concert halls from London to Berlin. Encouraged by our ability to squeeze in a live Christmas concert in Lewes in December between Government-imposed lockdowns, we have decided to forge ahead with plans for a live Festival for 2021. Much like the Christmas Concert the audience capacity will be 50%, in line with the rules that will still be in place at that time; but despite this we believe it is worth it! The appetite and need for live performances will be immense for both audiences and musicians so we cannot wait to present a full programme of wonderful concerts to the Lewes community.

Among our group of world-class musicians are: Beatrice Philips, violin & Artistic Director; Maria Włoszczowska, violin; Tim Crawford, violin; Vashti Hunter, cello; Hannah Sloane, cello; Alasdair Beatson, piano; Bengt Forsberg, piano; Matt Hunt, clarinet; Amy Harman, bassoon; Allan Clayton, tenor; and The Eusebius Quartet – to name a few.

Tickets must be pre-bought and are available on our website along with full details at www.leweschambermusicfestival.com.

above: Pianists Bengt Forsberg and Alasdair Beatson; below: Eusebius Quartet

PEASMARSH CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

Peasmarsh, Rye and Winchelsea – 1st to 4th July 2021

It is with great excitement that everyone involved with the Peasmarsh Chamber Music Festival is looking forward to a return to live music in early July. In these uncertain times, what better tonic can there be than to look ahead to brighter times of music-making? With twelve concerts scheduled across four days, and wonderful classical music spanning three centuries of creativity, we hope you will be able to join us.

As always, the Peasmarsh Festival includes a

superlative roster of world class artists. Joining violinist Anthony Marwood and cellist Richard Lester, we welcome Katya Apekisheva, co-director of the London Piano Festival, former BBC Radio 3 New Generation Young Artist Alec Frank-Gemmill; double bassist Graham Mitchell and two stellar ensembles, the Navarra and Barbican String Quartets.

On Friday evening, our guests will take to the stage as a wonderful ensemble of ‘Peasmarsh Virtuosi’, joining Anthony and Richard for our annual concerto concert in Rye. We are also delighted to announce that this year, in addition to concerts in the Norman church in Peasmarsh and St Mary’s in Rye, we will be presenting two concerts in stunning Winchelsea – in the beautiful Church of St Thomas, with its famous stained glass windows and scintillating acoustics, and affording us the opportunity to reach a wider audience. We

will also be offering music workshops in local schools, building on over fifteen years of educational partnerships in this special corner of East Sussex.

For more details please visit www.peasmarshfestival.co.uk.

Tickets £18 to £30. Box office opens for general booking on Monday 17th May. Please contact peasmarshboxoffice@gmail. com or telephone 01797 253178.

HAILSHAM FESTIVAL

STRING! An ambitious musical set in Hailsham

Hailsham

Festival has commissioned an ambitious new piece of community theatre called String! With a story set in Hailsham and district, the musical was to have been staged in 2020 but because of Covid-19 the production has been postponed until 2022.

Never daunted, however, Hailsham Festival is producing a Showcase Concert of songs from the show with twelve singers and narrator, to be performed on 18th September 2021. The concert promises to be a highlight of this year’s Festival.

The creative team includes Brighton-based writer and lyricist, Stephen Plaice and composer Tony Biggin. Stephen is one of Britain’s leading librettists and writers for Music Theatre. Tony is a popular and successful composer who lives in Hailsham and whose works are tuneful and brimming with energy.

Stephen describes the work as being about “attachments, about letting go of the old and accepting the

new. Using the process of rope-making as its central metaphor, it demonstrates how, in a small town, the strands of past and present intertwine, and how its characters are intrinsically connected.”

Abbie Marsden, founder and director of Hailsham Voices says “This exciting new musical is bursting with beautifully written songs that will have everyone wanting to join in!” Singers are being invited to audition for the showcase concert via https://hailshamfestival.co.uk/auditions. The closing date for applications is 30th April.

‘Peasmarsh … is a magical Festival’ –Sir David Hare, in The Observer

oposite

top: Barbican String Quartet; bottom: Navarra String Quartet, photo by Andrej Grilc; right: Peasmarsh at night; inset: Katya Apekisheva

HARP ON WIGHT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

Ryde, Isle of Wight – 22nd to 26th October

The seventh annual Harp on Wight International Festival (not including last year’s successful online event) is due to take place in Ryde, Isle of Wight in October. The organizers have again invited the majority of harpists who were due to perform and teach in 2020. Those who have confirmed include Lauren Scott from the UK, Tristan Le Govic from Brittany and Flamenco harpist Ana Crisman from Andalucia. In addition, Adriano Sangineto and Marriane Gubri – both popular at previous festivals –have agreed to return to play a duo concert of Renaissance music on mediaeval instruments.

There will also be a special Saturday afternoon concert featuring Festival Patron Anne Denholm and the Voices of the Isle of Wight Choir. Invitations to perform and teach have also been sent to other international harpists which are awaiting replies.

In addition to the concerts and teaching workshops, it is also hoped to run again the popular six-day course, led by Brittany luthier Sylvestre Chabrin, to make a 23-string lap harp. At the time the magazine went to press, the organizers were hopeful that any issues relating to international travel will be resolved to allow tickets for the festival to go on sale in June.

Full details will appear in due course at www.harponwight.co.uk. If you require further information please email harponwight@gmail.com or telephone 01983 730930.

pictured top: Tristan Le Govic; right: Lauren Scott; inset: Ana Crisman

PETWORTH FESTIVALS

The 2021 Petworth Festival 14th July to

31st July

The Petworth Festival Literary Week

30th October to 7th November

The above dates are subject to government regulations but ‘cautious optimism’ is the sense we are picking up from our friends at Petworth Festival. “The roadmap announced back in February has given a lot of people confidence that the good things in life are coming back, and we are proceeding on the basis that all will be for the best this summer” says Festival Artistic Director Stewart Collins.

And let’s hope so given the treats clearly in store for this coming July. Already announced are top classical stars Jess Gillam and Isata Kanneh-Mason. The always broad programme also features million-selling author and comedian Adam Kay and the almost-legendary Blues Band fronted by the great Paul Jones.

The full programme won’t be announced until the beginning of May but having already mounted a successful festival in 2020 despite the covid restrictions in place at the time, the Petworth team is fully confident of putting on an event that will bring the joy of live entertainment back to the area. “It’s been a very tough 12 months” says Stewart Collins, “but if we have learned one thing in that time it is that live entertainment is so massively important to all our lives. Soul food indeed!”

Visit www.petworthfestival.org.uk for full up to date information.

from top: Isata Kanneh Mason, photo Robin Clewley; The Blues Band (Paul Jones at centre); Mark Padmore, photo Marco Borggreve; Imogen Cooper, photo Sim Canetty Clarke

CORNWALL FOLK FESTIVAL, Wadebridge, North Cornwall

Friday 27th to Monday 30th August

Expecting all Covid restrictions to be lifted by early July, Cornwall Folk Festival plans to go ahead as near normal as possible this August Bank Holiday in Wadebridge, North Cornwall. This year is largely a postponement of that planned for the pandemic-wrecked 2020 outing.

They welcome Scotland’s finest songwriter Dougie Maclean, a performer who can truly hold an audience in the palm of his hand. The town-centre event opens with the perfectly paired O’Hooley and Tidow, whose music reached millions on TV as the accompaniment to the closing sequence of TV drama ‘Gentleman Jack’.

Merry Hell have delighted festival audiences across the UK in recent years with their uplifting, rock-based folk, and are joined by the hard-hitting songs of powerful duo Winter Wilson. The closing concert is double traditional with one of Ireland’s finest Gatehouse hopefully crossing the water to join the youthful maverick energy of Granny’s Attic.

A new venture at the last festival, the ‘Betjeman Sessions’ run for three nights, featuring south-west musicians including Geoff Lakeman, Mike Silver and Winter Mountain, plus the ever-popular Texas exile, Steve Dan Mills.

During daytime hours, music lovers can hang out at the FAR stage with its back-to-back acts from across Cornwall and the South West, or in the town’s pubs, cafes and streets as they host a myriad of performers and dancers. This year is the 70th birthday of Cornish song writing hero Harry Glasson, who will be a festival Guest Of Honour with special events to celebrate his contribution to the Duchy’s musical heritage.

The team mark the passing last September of Mike Walford, artistic director from 2009 until a few years ago, and whose huge energy and personality inspires and guides the current organisers.

Visit the website for more information; early bird tickets now on sale at www.CornwallFolkFestival.com/tickets.

Merry Hell

Granny's Attic

SHOREHAM WORDFEST

Local and Live Revived

A Celebration of Local Creativity – and coming out of Lockdown! 24th May to 16th June

Local and Live is a celebration of local creativity funded by the Arts Council and produced in partnership between Shoreham Wordfest and Ropetackle Arts Centre.

This is the continuation of the festival which started in October 2020 but has paused twice due to Covid lockdowns. Wordfest are delighted to announce the rest of the programme following the government announcement that we can return to live performances from May 17th.

The festival starts with a talk by Dr Geoffrey Mead on Monday 24th May. Titled Viscounts and Chicken Stubbers, it will explain how landownership and cultivation has shaped our Sussex landscape over the centuries.

Award-winning author Colin Grant will feature some of the contributions from local people which contributed to his book, The Homecoming, Stories

of the Windrush Generation. Joining him on 7th June will be performance poet, Akila Richards.

Local trio Hatful of Rain will perform their eclectic mix of folk and Americana on Saturday May 29th, featuring lovely vocals from Chloe Overton. Up-and-coming comedian, Joshua Crisp has a humorous take on the Tales of Hercules on 27th May, and Louise Peskett will give an insight to ‘The Notorious Women of Brighton’ on 26th May.

The festival will also feature two talks in partnership with Sussex Wildlife Trust: Rewilding the Seas and What Have Plants Ever Done for us? The festival line-up is completed with a talk about poet W H Auden, an evening of Sea Shanties with Chris Hare and the Duck Pond Sailors, and finally an evening of cool jazz with Bjorn Dahlberg and Paul Richards.

Tickets cost £8 except the SWT talks on 25th May and 3rd June which cost £10. The Local and Live festival pass of 10 events for £60 will continue. Some events will be live streamed. Please see our website for details of the full programme and to book tickets: www.shorehamwordfest.com

above: Hatful of Rain

below: Chris Hare and the Duckpond Sailors

TENTERDEN FOLK FESTIVAL

30th September to 3rd October

It is looking increasingly likely that Tenterden Folk Festival 2021 will be able to go ahead live and in person!

The 28th Tenterden Folk Festival was due to take place in early October 2020 but with the Covid-19 pandemic in full flow, it became obvious that would not be able to happen.

Now with the vaccine roll out going better than anyone could have expected and with the summer weather likely to help bring the pandemic under control, and the majority of the necessary Government rules and advise being eased or lifted, we are looking forward to the festival occurring on the dates above.

We are very grateful for all the support we have received over the last 12 months including ticket holders, stallholders and advertisers who let us keep their money and roll over their bookings to 2021, supporters and funders who made donations and grants to help us survive over a year with no live events, local authorities and other organisations who are supporting TFF 2021 and many others.

Most of the guests booked for 2020 have been able to roll over their bookings to 2021 and we have been able to add a few more as well so you can expect an even bigger and better four days of folk song, music, dance, crafts, and traditions in Tenterden, the town known as ‘the Jewel of the Weald’. We will, of course, have to make a few changes to ensure that the festival is Covid-safe for our guest artists, audiences, volunteers and everyone else but we will do this in a way that does not spoil the enjoyment.

Visit www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org for all the latest details and pick up a copy of Around Kent Folk or read it online at www.aroundkentfolk.org.uk. To get a taste of what TFF 2021 will be like check out the #VirtuallyTenterden videos on YouTube and at https://tenterdenfolk.tumblr.com.

Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer appeared at Virtually Tenterden

SOUTHDOWNS FOLK FESTIVAL

16th to 19th September

The Southdowns Folk Festival is ‘rolling-over’ the entire festival programme of 2020 into 2021 and is currently talking with headline artists, other performers, stall holders, local authorities and festival venues about appearing and hosting events between 16th and 19th September 2021. Happily there are very positive responses from these discussions and it is envisaged that the festival programme featuring Steve Harley, The Strawbs and Steve Knightly amongst others, plus the popular Ukulele Festival and the inaugural Americana Festival on the Pier, will very much mirror what would have taken place in 2020 with the possibility of one or two exciting additions.

One such addition is a Shanty Showdown over 18th and 19th September – a free event supported by Bognor Regis Town Council, it will be under marquee and around Bognor Regis Town Centre featuring the very best of shanty singing from the South of England.

With the February 2020 release of the all-acoustic CD ‘Uncovered’, Steve Harley, the original Cockney Rebel, shows no sign of slowing down. Steve has been playing live shows around the world for over 45 years and the thrill of another night in another place to another audience has not dimmed at all.

“We have real adventures on tour”, says Steve. “I’ve seen the Northern Lights, the Midnight Sun and dozens of wonderful galleries, museums and great cities, all on my down-time. I have a great life as a Wandering Minstrel!”

The Strawbs were one of the more successful bands who evolved folk rock out of the traditional folk scene in the late 60s and early 70s. Their early albums were very innovative both musically and lyrically, and included Rick Wakeman on keyboards. I well remember being enthralled by songs such as ‘Benedictus’ and ‘The Hangman and the Papist’. They also went on to have chart success, most famously with the song ‘Part of the Union’. Founding member and songwriter Dave Cousins has kept the Strawbs' music alive, sometimes electric and sometimes acoustic, despite sadly losing some band members along the way. A marvellous addition to the festival line up!

Visit www.southdownsfolkfest.co.uk for all the up-to-date information.

top: The Outlaw Orchestra; left: The Strawbs

Jazz, Gin and Blues Festival

The Loxwood Meadow 1st August

Following the outstanding success of the first Loxwood Jazz, Gin and Blues Festival, this year’s event is taking place on Sunday 1st August and tickets may now be purchased. Set in the Enchanted Woodland at the Loxwood Meadow, this boutique festival with a stellar line-up of jazz and blues artists, is running from 12 noon through to 8pm, and has only a limited number of 500 tickets available.

Once again the line-up is impressive, and music lovers will be able to spend an afternoon outdoors, under the boughs of the woodland trees as they become immersed in the sounds. This year’s festival is curated by Simon Bates, the founder of the legendary Loxwood Jazz Club. And artists such as John Etheridge, Derek Nash’s Sax Appeal, Harry Greene and Ashton Jones, Simply Swing, Tim Staffell and Paul Stewart will be performing live.

Not forgetting the gin part of the festival… a number of independent local gin producers will be on hand to help quench summer thirsts. In addition, the award-winning Langham Brewery will be providing real ale, with Loxwood Meadworks providing heritage brews, re-imagined for the 21st century.

The festival takes place in the Loxwood Meadow, RH14 0AL; home of the Loxwood Joust and just off the B2133 between Wisborough Green and Loxwood. There is ample free parking. For tickets and more information, please visit www.jazzginblues. co.uk; email info@jazzginblues.co.uk or call 07866 468632.

Shipley Festival Arts

Two more festivals in our region…

Hopefully occurring later in the year, these two festivals will no doubt be featured in our next issue: The Brighton Early Music Festival and Broadstairs Folk Week. Both festivals are working hard to ensure they occur this year and you can visit their websites to discover exactly what is being planned and how preparations are evolving – www.bremf.org.uk and www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk.

www.bernardimusicgroup.com

The Shipley Arts Festival is delighted to be celebrating 21 years of inspiring, connecting and bringing together our local communities through music.

This exciting collaboration of concerts that unite the arts, heritage and Sussex communities at some of the county’s most beautiful venues, launched on 31st January and runs through to the end of the year.

Nationally renowned, this classical music festival brings innovative performances from the Bernardi Music Group, their Stradivarius Trio, the String Academy youth orchestra and solo performances from internationally renowned Andrew Bernardi; whilst also connecting music professionals, composers, and talented young musicians from across the county and around the world.

For regular updates, priority booking and unique and exclusive opportunities, become a member of the Friends of Shipley Arts Festival. Further information can be obtained by emailing andrew@bernardimusicgroup.com

John Etheridge, photo Doreen

Pallier

THURSDAY 1ST JULY - SATURDAY 17TH JULY

Rachel Podger • Nicholas Daniel Academy of Ancient Music

National Youth Jazz Orchestra • Norma Winstone

Minima • Dominic Degavino • Gavin Esler

Jessica Duchen • Changeling Theatre Company

Meera Maharaj • Michael Foyle & Maksim Štšura

Steven Devine • Christopher Cook

Harry the Piano • Sam Rapp

Lucy Stevens & Elizabeth Marcus

Polaris Duo • Old Time Sailors • Samuele Telari

www.peasmarshfestival.co.uk

Escape To Cornwall August Bank Holiday

F L F S V L

Wadebridge, North Cornwall Fri 27th-Mon 30th Aug

Dougie MACLEAN O’Hooley & Tidow

MERRY HELL GRANNY’S ATTIC Winter Wilson Gatehouse Blacksmith Geoff Lakeman/Rob Murch Steve Dan Mills Brother Sea Mike Silver/Jo Partridge Winter Mountain Coastal Belles + more WWW.CORNWALLFOLKFESTIVAL.COM/TICKETS

www.cornwallfolkfestival.com/tickets

Tenterden folk festival 2021

Tenterden, the Jewel of the Weald

www.hailshamfestival.uk

www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org

Free events include crafts marquee, street stalls, free music stage, dance stage, Morris dancers, dance displays, procession, street entertainers, song and music sessions, etc.

Ticketed events include concerts, barn dance, special shows, workshops, meet the guests, folk clubs, etc.

Guests Most held over from 2020, See website for details All details subject to Government restrictions and advise

Thursday 30th September to Sunday 3rd October 2021 Tenterden Folk Festival: Charity No. 1038663

book reviews

Dragon's Egg

by S. R. Langley

What do straitlaced science nerd Roger Briggs and nature-loving wild child Mary Maddam have in common? Apart from the fact that they're both thirteen years old and living in an alternative 1950s Inglande – apparently nothing.

But in a burst of serendipity their paths cross with a crash and their fates are inextricably intertwined. Chased by yobs and forced to cross into the 'Bad Wood', strictly off-limits, they find themselves in very unfamiliar territory, but unwilling to retreat and bear the brunt of further bullying they determine to explore their new surroundings.

It seems, however, their presence in the Bad Wood is no accident. While navigating this strange terrain they come face to face with a trio of enormous owls... enormous owls that speak. And very soon they discover that they are there for a particular and rather dangerous mission.

What follows is a fraught journey through the wood and down into the underworld, populated by beleaguered True Dragons and their nemesis, the Fire-Worm Lords of the Core and their Minion Army. The pair hasten to the aid of the Queen of the Dynasty

Taxus Baccata

by Patricia M Osborne

Taxus Baccata is a collection of nature poetry that includes poems based on myth, folklore and legend around trees. Through them we are transported into the natural world and shown, through Patricia M Osborne's sensitive observation, the minutiae that everyday life often misses.

I'm not going to describe the individual poems or their subject matter in detail as that really rather defeats the object. The images and feelings evoked by reading any poetry are peculiar to each individual.

As with any collection, however, there are, for me, some poems that stand out more than others. I love literature that widens my horizons and through Taxus Baccata I have been introduced to mythical characters, legends and folklore that have sent me scurrying off to learn more, with such poems as Soulmates; Lady of the Woods; Leda's Recompense. For highlighting some of nature's subtle wonders there is Mother Yew; Stratford Mums; Sky Ballet; and, perfect for spring,

of ruling Dragons who is desperate to protect her unhatched son, the Royal Prince and the only heir to the True Dragon's Under-Erf Kingdom.

Catapulted into this dangerous world of magic and mythical creatures, Roger discovers resources of leadership and courage he didn't know he possessed.

Together with Mary's indomitable spirit and sense of adventure they make an effective team. But will they succeed...?

Although written for fantasy fans and youngsters, Dragon's Egg makes satirical digs at current societal issues that will no doubt appeal to any adult reader. A great yarn that takes you into uncharted territory and leaves you on a cliff-hanger, eager to discover more.

Dragon's Egg is the first in the Dragon's Erf series, available in paperback or Kindle from Amazon, or https://www.giobooks.com/Bookpreview/1167 Book 2 of the series, Dragon's Inferno, is also now available. For more about the author please visit www.srlangleywriter.com

Sunrise Concertante.

This little collection of poems should be read all at once and then revisited, one by one – perhaps one poem a day, in the morning, with a cup of tea.

Consuming the whole collection in one sitting immerses the reader in the world of nature and myth conjured up by the verses. Then taking one poem at a time allows you to absorb the flavours – mossy, barky and fragrant – rolling them around your mind's tongue like so much fine wine. Like a breath of fresh spring air, it left me wanting more.

Taxus Baccata is published by Hedgehog Press; signed copies or pdf versions are available from the author's website https://whitewingsbooks.com/shop/ where you can find out more about the author's work.

The Tuscan Girl

by Angela Petch

The Tuscan Girl tells the story of two women, separated by more than half a century but connected by one man.

It opens with Lucia in war-torn Italy during the throes of the German occupation, dreaming about her innocent childhood running wild in the Tuscan countryside. As it unfolds throughout the book, her story is one of strength of will, courage and love.

A switch to the present, and when artist Alba Starnucci returns to her native Tuscany after the sudden tragic death of her English boyfriend she is devastated, unable to come to terms with his loss and the circumstances surrounding it. In their attempts to distract Alba from her sorrow her parents encourage her to stay and reconnect with the area she has known since she was a girl, with the love and support of her family. So she starts to immerse herself in the stunning landscape that surrounds them. While out sketching in the mountains she has a mysterious encounter that plays on her mind.

Then a chance meeting with Massimo, an elderly resident in the area, sets in motion events which would reveal long-hidden secrets and change the course of more than one life.

As Alba's friendship with Massimo gradually

58 Farm End

by Natasha Murray

When Jules Bridgewater from Farm End accepted an invitation to a shindig at the neighbouring farm she didn't know what she had let herself in for.

Nineteen-year-old Jules and her brother Peter virtually ran the dairy farm that their parents had inherited from their uncle, as their father, still mourning the loss of his wife, was subject to bouts of depression. An historical and bitter feud with the Hearns who owned neighbouring Crow Farm meant that any contact with them was strictly verboten. So the young Bridgewaters kept to themselves. Until, that is, Seth Hearn – something of the black sheep of the family – came to Jules' aid one evening when a couple of drunks were harming her old pony.

Jules and Seth were irresistibly attracted to one another. But a romantic stroll through some woods ended in horror when the star-crossed lovers discovered the body of a young woman floating in a deep silent pool. Jules recognised the body at once. Had there been an accident, or was it murder? This grisly find kicks off a series of events that drew Jules into

strengthens he opens up, telling her of his childhood sweetheart, Lucia, and of their experiences during the war. Through him she learns about the desperate struggles of the partisans against German oppression and the bloody reprisals, which set neighbour against neighbour, fracturing the community.

Cleverly weaving together the strands of these three stories – of Alba, Lucia and Massimo – that span so many years and cultural changes is no mean feat and author Angela Petch carries it off with finesse. There are clues throughout the plot linking the time periods, and the transition between storylines is smooth and effortless, never leaving the reader disorientated.

I loved reading The Tuscan Girl, I was invested right from the start. In the words of Alba Starnucci it is “history coming alive” and I defy anyone to read this book and not find themselves a little bit in love with Tuscany and its resilient people.

Available from Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo and Google Play. To find out more about the author go to www.angelapetchsblogsite.wordpress.com

a web of deceit and lies, dark twisted secrets and infidelity, and ultimately revealed the true colours of those around her. In the end who could she trust?!

Set in the village of Findon at the foot of the South Downs – my old stomping ground, I was delighted to be able to envisage the area and surrounding landmarks with such familiarity – 58 Farm End has hidden depths, there's more going on than meets the eye. A captivating tale at first glance, the story also touches on issues intimate to the human condition. It moves along at a good pace with a few gripping moments and occasionally something of the air of the supernatural, which keeps the reader guessing.

Available from Amazon, 58 Farm End is the first in the Waterfall Way Series, the story arc continues with Julia's Baby, published just last month. For more information about the author and her other work visit https://nmurray3004.wixsite.com/mysite-1

– flash fiction –

that’s a limiting hegemonistic contract within this garden’s jurisdiction only and that outside it’s a free fruit area.’

‘Don’t tell me you’ve been outside the garden and tasted an apple Myrtle. What was it like?’ Arthur’s eyes opened so wide his mustache twitched.

Myrtle put on a nonchalant ‘apples-wouldn’t-meltin-my-mouth’ face. ‘S’alright.’

‘Myrtle, Beazle, I shouldn’t. I really shouldn’t.’

‘Who are you trying to convince,’ wheedled Beazle. ‘Just what sort of chap are you?’

Arthur bristled at the implication. Then temptation proved too much. He scrambled through, scurried round the pond and sank his teeth into the scrumptious fruit.

Arthur And The Big Apple

– by Al Campbell

Arthur was lazing on the sofa, stargazing out of the conservatory window into the moonlit sky, when Myrtle came and whispered in his ear.

‘Hey Arth, garden, now!’

‘Really?’ grunted Arthur, his voice full of ennui. ‘I’ve just got comfortable.’

‘Seriously, you’ll love this. Come on!’

Arthur dragged himself to his feet and followed Myrtle into the dark.

‘In the corner, over there Arth, it’s a whole new world.’

Arthur knew that corner of the garden. It had ‘the apple tree’. Arthur loved the smell of apples and so wanted to taste one. But it was forbidden fruit. He had been told by the highest authority, in the strictest possible terms, he was never to try one.

Myrtle walked past the tree up to the garden hedge.

‘New gap, look’, she said, sotto voce.

The other side of the hedge was the big pond. Arthur peered across and, on the far bank, nestling under the most magnificent Malus Domestica imaginable, was the shiniest, most beautiful big apple ever seen.

Out of the darkness, with much clearing-of-throat, strode Beazle.

‘Myrtle said you’re a bit of an apple afficionado,’ he said, smiling in sinister fashion.

‘Love the smell, never tasted one, not allowed, never been an option,’ Arthur replied whimsically.

‘I asked Beazle to make this hole,’ said Myrtle. ‘Told him we couldn’t eat apples in this garden, but he says

Suddenly clouds obscured the moon, lightning flashed and hailstones the size of crab apples lashed down. Arthur was alone. He ran back to the hedge but couldn’t find a way through. He ducked under a bush, cowering against the elements.

Time passed. Arthur shivered. The storm stopped raging as quickly as it had begun. Miraculously a bright light appeared in the sky accompanied by a strident, rather cross voice.

‘Arthur, Arrrthurrr – wherever are you?’

The light shone directly over Arthur’s head, dazzling him.

‘Whatever are you doing outside of the garden?’

A hand reached through the hedge and pulled him back through the hole.

There sat a smug Myrtle, eyes twinkling with schadenfreude.

‘Where’d you two get to?’ Arthur asked her accusingly.

Myrtle lifted her chin and looked sideways at him. ‘When the lightening started, Beazle went to ground. I took cover under the fig tree.’

‘Typical badger, even more typical cat’, thought Arthur, then coughed, throwing-up all the apple he’d eaten.

‘You silly Schnauzer puppy,’ boomed the voice from above. ‘Apples make you sick – that’s why you should never eat them. Come inside and have a charcoal biscuit to settle your tummy.’

Arthur happily trotted along after the light of the mobile phone. Perhaps the Big Apple wasn’t all it was made out to be after all.

You can read more stories by Al Campbell by signing up to his weekly flash-fiction subscription service at www.patreon.com/mostlyunpublished or at www.mostlyunpublished.com

Storm Catcher

– by N J Crosskey

(Originally published by The Teacup Trail)

Someone had stolen Aurora’s thunder. She had kept it in a jar under her bed precisely to prevent that sort of thing. She’d heard tell of the thunder thieves, the grown-ups talked of them sometimes when they thought she wasn’t listening. It had somehow happened to Aunt Lucy at her engagement party, perhaps she had been distracted by all the merriment and the robbers had taken advantage. Mrs Dante down the road had fallen prey to the crime whilst giving a speech at the country club, but for some reason her parents had been pleased to hear of her misfortune.

Aurora had no idea why thunder was such a valuable commodity, but she had reasoned that if it was worth stealing then it must be treasure. She had no other treasures, apart from Heidi, who she had to admit was not ageing very well. Despite seven cosmetic surgery procedures she was still greying at the edges and leaking stuffing.

So she had carefully removed an old jam jar from the kitchen bin and washed it thoroughly with detergent until it sparkled. Cloaked in bubble wrap she tucked it in her school bag and waited for her chance.

Eventually the storm clouds and skewers of lightning came. She didn’t notice the confused looks of the passers-by as she held her jar aloft, grinning in the rain, waiting for the clap. As the heavens roared she let the glorious bounty flow into her glass container before slamming on the lid and screwing it tightly. She had run home, watching over her shoulder for weather looters.

Her prize had sat safely nestled in between old teddy bears and the clothes she would grow into Someday. Each evening before sleep and every morning before rising she lifted the valance to peek at her pride and joy. There was a stark beauty in the apparent emptiness, a promise of invisible fortune. She often wondered what she would do with her riches when the day came to find a buyer. Such a perfect growl of the gods, she was certain it was the finest specimen anyone had ever captured. Perhaps

she would buy a boat, sail out to sea where the storms seemed even mightier, a hundred jam jars rolling on the poop deck.

But the dream was over. Returning home from school she found nothing but neatly folded jumpers under her bed, and a chasm of carpet where once her aspirations had resided. Her mother heard her wails of despair and rushed to her room, fearing some grievous misadventure had happened, which of course it had. Aurora beseeched her to call the police, a crime had been committed!

Her mother wrapped her in soap-scented arms and caught her tears with cotton sleeves as she listened to the tale of woe. Then the confession came. There were no criminals to arrest, no robbery had occurred. She herself had given Aurora’s treasure to the dustcart, along with several bags of broken toys and torn dresses. Aurora had been so consumed with her grief that she hadn’t noticed the order that had replaced the chaos in her room. Or that Heidi sat atop her pillow grinning, new dress and neatly stitched seams.

Stroking her hair and calming her sobs Mother told her of the real thunder. You couldn’t catch it in a jar, or any other earthly vessel. It came from inside you.

Aurora hugged Heidi tightly and accepted her mother’s olive branch of cookies. She wondered how she could make the thunder grow inside herself, and how best to protect it.

No one could discern the sound of the discarded jam jar breaking amongst the constant crash and churn of the landfill. But everyone in the vicinity remarked how peculiar it was to hear a solitary clap of thunder on such a cloudless day.

Storm Catcher was originally published by The Teacup Trail. https://njcrosskey.com

pictured: Pete Gilbert, Gwithian Storm 1, http://petegilbert.me.uk

poetry prose & illustration

Sunrise Concertante

Burnt golden rays break the night-time sky, beating on the Ouse’s slow crawl.

Air-warmed sweet-grasses fan fragrance into the wind: marsh marigolds shine.

A blackbird’s chromatic glissando sweeps towards the riverbank.

Swanking his red tuxedo, a robin trills to join the recital as elm silhouettes dance, watching their mirror image.

The mistle thrush flaunts his speckled belly. He takes his turn to chant – introduces

hedge sparrows who chatter, boast brown suits.

A cadenza call governs the concerto–plump skylark makes his solo in the skies.

Shades of light peep, geese chevron across the blue, noses down, necks stretched, wings

spread wide. Honking their signal sound, they climb the horizon and sky-fall on to daylight’s iridescent waves.

–by Patricia M Osborne

Sarasvati Magazine (Indigo Dreams) Published 2017 Taxus Baccata (Hedgehog Poetry Press) Published 2020

Cathedrals and Scooters

I'm getting up early for all the women who couldn't I rise in the dark emboldened by the voices of those who came before me

Because this may just be paper and I like to think outside the box

But we've been standing empty handed in the fields praying for a harvest for too long

And they've been pissing on us and calling it rain for some time now

That we forgot to question why the crops weren't growing.

Chopped down our forests and carved us into chess pieces that they divide, But won't conquer because we have our hands deep in the dirt now.

And if you think your voice is insignificant then You have not seen how the smallest creatures create their cathedrals.

It's a mess. Things are farcical. Life like a ripe piece of Halloween satire.

TV barking like a dull eyed bear with boulders for fists.

Meanwhile the tide is rising and it's threatening to take back the land.

And we small huddle of fools stand gazing at the sky.

But occasionally we look into each others faces

We make a life raft from each others limbs.

We sail into luminous waters on Wednesday And transcend velocity at weekends.

A girl on the bus smiles right into the middle of you

And you see old ladies laughing

Small dogs don't understand the stock market. In the end, like them, we're all just chasing our own tails.

But trees still get fatter on a full moon and We are made of the same sap.

A murmuration that would carry us, too,

South for winter following the pull of planets. While crickets rub their legs together in the long grass.

A man comforts a teenager on the checkout

And in the park someone is feeding the birds.

We are grains of sand that snag

On the fabric of each others dreams

White water rafting

The spin cycle rendering all of us; laundry.

Ultimately our colours all bleed into one

On a warm wash.

And I can taste familiarity in a stranger's walk Sometimes.

There are fires raging and monsters

Living in all of our bellies but Some days

You see hugs instead of handshakes

Or a grown-up riding a scooter to work.

–by Naomi Wood

www.facebook.com/naomi.wood.18

Haiku

Dispersed by the wind

Our lives are like thin veneers

Painted on the void

–by Steve Cook from Poemathon Day 290 www.steve-cook.com

Novel Characters

Step on the Grass

Step on soft grass

Hear the sound of the moles

Deep under

The worms

Tunnelling

The faint click-clack of a beetle

Iridescent

Hear the small hiss of a spider

A daisy opening its petals to the sun

The groan of old bones

A seed sleeping

The one first raindrop

–by Bronwen Griffiths

www.bronwengrff.co.uk

@bronwengwriter

N.B. All poems shown here are subject to copyright

Felicity Fair Thompson on her gripping novels Cutting In and The Kid on Slapton Beach

Writing the novel Cutting In, capturing the thoughts and dreams of the main character Elaine wasn't easy, but I had spent my childhood dreaming of being a ballet dancer. I knew how much effort and concentration was required, how much drive, talent and ambition one needed to succeed – and how much more, to reach ballerina status. Every young dancer wants to be Odette in Swan Lake, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Juliet, Giselle…

But I needed to go further. How far could this ambitious girl go? Envy and desire – use those to push the boundaries into a darker story? Insecure and unloved, Elaine comes to ballet late, but when she sees the exquisite Beverley Soames in ballet class, she watches, copies, imitates… Stalking in pursuit of a dream… Add the agonies and ecstasies of adolescence – it's a time full of physical awakening, and blossoming desire. Ballet is such a physical art. Will Elaine achieve her dreams? Cutting In – available from your favourite book shop.

Now imagine you are twelve. Your country is at war. You hear the drone of Luftwaffe bombers flying towards Plymouth and Exeter and Coventry, see Spitfires and Hurricanes darting across the skies, warships out on the horizon.

Harry is the boy in The Kid on Slapton Beach. He loves his secret cave, running on the sand, talking to fishermen, watching birds on the dunes. Torcross by Slapton Sands is just a small village. But there's a war on. How difficult it is for the 3000 people along that coast forced to pack up their lives and move away without knowing why, or where they will go. And Harry leaves behind something that really matters. He goes back. Secret ill-fated D-Day rehearsals will happen on Slapton Sands, and Harry will be on that beach.

'A great gift for portraying the agonies and ecstasies of adolescence...'

I was thrilled to receive that review from Frederick E Smith.

Graham Hurley: 'I read it at a single sitting. Perceptive writing... wonderfully spiked with bitchiness.'

Julian Rathbone: 'Hard edged, striking and truthful.'

“A wonderful book...”

“A wonderful book...”

“A

Michelle Magorian

‘Goodnight Mr Tom’

Michelle Magorian ‘Goodnight Mr Tom’ “A jewel!...”

“A jewel!...”

Michelle Magorian ‘Goodnight Mr Tom’ “A jewel!...”

Actress June BrownDot in EastEnders

Actress June BrownDot in EastEnders

Actress June BrownDot in EastEnders

RETRIBUTION

THREE ROUND TOWERS “An engaging tale of one young woman’s struggles against the prejudices, assumptions and deprivations of a grim and ruthless period our history” - Rosemary Aitken

www.wightdiamondpress.com

ISBN 978-0-9535123-2-4 www.wightdiamondpress.com

Classes Open Up at Studio 11

With life getting back to a new normal, Studio 11 once again opens its doors for face to face classes in all things textile. Hooray!

If you have been starved of space and inspiration for working with textile projects, then Christine is providing both physical and mental space for stitch/print/mixed media work. Her studio is based in a light and airy chapel hall in Eastbourne which is fully

equipped for all sorts of textile arts and crafts.

Covid-safe measures include small classes with everyone getting a 2m bench to work on so social distancing is built in! Face visors provide a measure of confidence for tutor and student when chatting work over with Christine.

Christine herself often brings her work to class to show and share as she is working on her projects enabling students to benefit from seeing the working methods of this acclaimed artist and teacher.

The studio website also has details of other experienced and well-known artists who come to the studio to provide short intensive courses or Re-Treats! There are still spaces left on the experimental course being run by Jennifer Collier, who was

Moorhouse Art @ The Mill Introduction to Printmaking

This exciting new course at The Mill Studio in Arundel is designed to introduce various methods of printmaking including monotype, dry point engraving, collograph and linocut.

The studio will be set up to deliver these methods with clear guidance and examples and as always will encourage students to develop their own unique creative process. As with all our courses at present due to our continuing Covid secure measures numbers will be limited so early booking is recommended.

During this introductory course entry level materials and tools will be provided thus encouraging students to explore the various methods on offer. Students will then be encouraged to build up their own tools and materials as they each discover personal areas of interest. This new printmaking course is suitable for all levels of experience and continuing personal guidance will be given within the dynamic of the group. If students already have printmaking experience and wish to continue exploring their favourite method that too will be encouraged during this course.

Course details are: Fridays 10am to 1pm from 23rd April to 16th July. Courses now run for 12 weeks; half term Monday 31st May to Friday 4th June.

Booking essential Ref. IPKM Course fee including materials – £540 (including £100 nonreturnable deposit).

Other classes, including a new Life Drawing Workshop, are resuming through the spring and summer, and looking ahead (post-covid world allowing) studio outings and evening talks are on the cards. Meanwhile, covid safety measures are currently in place in the studio. For more information and to sign up to the regular newsletter contact Karin Moorhouse, www.karinmoorhouseart.com www.moorhouse-art.com

Art classes with Karin Moorhouse starting up again now - March 2021

Drawing and painting

Life drawing

Monotype print making

Dry point engraving

Collograph and linocut printmaking

Plein air landscape painting weeks

Masterclasses with invited artists

Artists talks

Exhibitions

Visit www.moorhouse-art.com for details, mailing list and booking info

Karin Moorhouse monotype prints pictured above: Driving; opposite bottom: Forest; below: Nude

ART JUNCTION

If you can’t go on holiday this summer – go back to school! Art Junction summer school starts on 22nd June.

While a casualty of Covid in Summer 2020, what used to be Sussex Sculpture Studios’ Summer School (and life doesn’t get much more alliterative than that), is back with a big bang for Summer 2021 in its new home at Art Junction. Courses vary in length from one day sessions priced at around £90 to week-long events costing up to £400. People with all levels of experience are encouraged to attend. All activities will follow strict Covid rules and, due to regulations on social distancing, studio numbers will be limited to six or eight people. With one exception, events will take place at the established venue next to Platform 8¾ at Billingshurst Station. Excitingly for sculptors, Michael Joseph will

be opening up his back garden foundry for a two-day Casting in Bronze course ‘al fresco’ if the weather permits. Even if the sun isn’t out when Michael’s kiln is fired, things hot up! Michael is also running a one-day drawing course on expressive use of charcoal – as an experimental artist anything can happen! All sessions will be delivered by the Art Junction team of experienced tutors. Hazel Reeves, noted as a sculptor of public commissions such as Emmeline Pankhurst, is offering a five-day course in Portraiture in Clay at the start of the school term, followed by a shorter two-day course in Expressive Portraiture in clay. Sculptor and maker Chaz Wyman will be teaching Slab Techniques in Ceramic Sculpture and later reprising his popular week-long immersive session in Garden Sculpture. The final week-long sculpture

course will be delivered by Mark Longworth, recognised for his work with ballet dancers, on Sculpting Figures in Clay.

Apart from Michael’s charcoal masterclass, the real treat for 2D artists will be Ben LaughtonSmith’s week-long Figure Drawing Masterclass. Atelier trained, Ben is a wonderful draughtsman, a superbly skilled practitioner and a great teacher.

For full details, prices and to book online, visit www.artjuntion.uk/summerschool.

Art Junction also has a really good subscription offering of livestream online life drawing and portrait sculpture, plus video courses and photo resources, now available at www.patreon.com/artjunction.

clockwise from opposite top: Portrait sculpture; Chaz Wyman slab building; Garden Sculpture; Mark Longworth patinating clay figure

ART JUNCTION SUMMER SCHOOL

AT SUSSEX SCULPTURE STUDIOS, BILLINGSHURST

Art Junction is delighted to announce its 2021 Summer School Programme

June 22nd thru’ July 30th

June 22nd – 25th

Portrait in Clay

June 28th – July 2nd

Figure Drawing Masterclass

July 5th – 9th

The Expressive Use of Charcoal

July 12th

Casting in Bronze

July 15th – 16th

Sculpting the Figure in Clay

July 19th – 23rd

Expressive Portrait in Clay

July 24th – 25th

Garden Sculpture

July 26th – 30th

All classes are socially distanced, with most courses limited to 6 students, so please book now.

For more information and prices visit www.artjunction.uk/summerschool

Ceramic Sculpture using Slab Technique

WEST DEAN COLLEGE of Arts and Conservation

Make time to make with new summer short courses from West Dean College of Arts and Conservation

Boost both your wellbeing and your creative skills this summer with over 300 new April to September short courses at West Dean College. Including new online courses to help you keep creating while lockdown restrictions ease.

Get creative from home

Taught by the College’s expert tutors, self-paced courses will help you to start oil painting, printmaking, drawing and more from home at your own

pace. Each course includes a series of instructional videos with step-by-step guidance to create a unique artwork, make your own books and more. There’s also the option of a craft box filled with materials posted directly to you.

As well as self-paced courses, look out for a limited number of new live online courses delivered over Zoom in April, in subjects including textiles, gardening and creative writing.

Be inspired in the College’s beautiful surroundings

Escape and recharge while learning a new skill or perfecting your practice. This summer, courses encourage you to embrace your surroundings and create beautiful objects for your home, or offer ways to recycle and reuse items.

Highlights include: Eco-dyeing and printing with plants with Nawal Gebreel, May 25–27

Sculpting and gilding a natural object with Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva, May 27-30

Outdoor watercolour sketching with Kim Whitby, June 11-13

Textile collage using vintage fabric with Mandy Pattullo, June 25-27

Sculptural sustainable wood jewellery with Sarah King, September 10-12

Find out more at www.westdean.org.uk

pictured opposite bottom: Outdoor watercolour sketching with Kim Whitby; opposite left: Sculptural sustainable wood jewellery with Sarah King; right: Eco-dyeing and printing with Nawal Gebreel

www.westdean.org.uk

Coda

Leaving behind the Dark Ages/ into the sunlight

Well, it seems as though we might have lived through it. All the signs are, as I write this with the spring sun streaming in, the birds in song and a plethora of festivals for me to write about in 2021, that we may indeed be about to emerge from the Dark Ages of Covid-19 and burst forth into a renaissance of music, art, literature, learning, contemporary crafts et al.

It’s been very trying hasn’t it? And I guess one could say it’s not over yet, but I’m fanning the flames of my optimism. The demise of a few galleries, venues, events and, of course, some treasured and talented individuals, leaves with us with a spiritual scar to heal. But as is the wont of all life, we move forward.

Let’s acknowledge all the hard work and innovation shown by those of us left standing, and all work together to rebuild our culture into a much brighter future. Besides all the fear and loss people have had to suffer, the world has also been starved of aesthetics – that very vibration/ feeling/ state of mind/ spiritual sustenance that is so vital to human existence. That empty reservoir in the soul needs a monsoon of creativity to regenerate it. And that’s why artists of all genres are now needed to rejuvenate their creative juices and create a flood of work into society that will raise up people’s eyes once again towards the sun.

Our last issue’s cover

Not surprisingly, our winter issue’s cover created quite a bit of response, it seemed so apt at the time. It was a photograph of the image imprinted with the Hold Still information turned into a giant mural on a building in Manchester's Northern Quarter.

Johannah Churchill's photograph of nursing colleague Melanie Senior was originally commissioned for a feature on frontline female medics in the Sunday

Telegraph's Stella magazine supplement. It was then chosen among 100 finalists in the Hold Still project, led by the Duchess of Cambridge and the National Portrait Gallery and sponsored by the Co-op, which set out to create a collective portrait of the UK during lockdown. It now features in a display outside Waterloo railway station, in adverts across the London Underground, in Putney, Balham, Croydon and Wimbledon, and on Co-op supermarket digital screens around the country.

Johannah is seen here (see right) in front of the photograph. www.johannahchurchill.com

Nicolas de Largillière portrait of Voltaire circa 1724

Freedom of Speech

There is currently growing, and it seems there is no sign of it slowing down, something which may become one of the great controversies of our age. It is the spiralling altercation and debate concerning Freedom of Speech. With tech giants censoring Facebook posts, YouTube videos and Twitter statements, mainstream media holding biased and constricted agendas and universities (of all places) and other groups no-platforming potential speakers, the situation is only going to get worse.

Voltaire is supposed to have said, although it is disputed, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” The wall behind the statue of George Orwell outside the BBC (are they blind to the irony in that?) is inscribed with his words “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” And Henry Louise Gates is quoted as saying “Censorship is to art as lynching is to justice.” Of course there other famous quotes on the matter one could point to, ranging from George Washington to Martin Luther King and many, many others.

left: Photographer Johannah Churchill stands by her photgraph of colleague Melanie Senior; inset: ingénu/e 30 front cover

Polaris duo Gillian Blair (saxophone) and Elinor Nicholson (harp) perform at the Deal Festival this summer

What is your view? My own view is that we are very close to a sort of ‘thought police’ situation, where to even think a particular thought could be considered by someone to be a crime. It seems to me that the nuances of language, the depth of thought the intellect is capable of and even the good old fashioned idea that one has a right to one’s own opinions are in danger of being made irrelevant, replaced by rigid ideologies of what is ‘good’ and ‘bad’ in terms of speech and behaviour and thus enforced upon individuals. This may or may not be sounding the death knell for artists, who by their nature are free thinkers and somewhat rebellious as regards the status quo, but it is worth thinking about. The suppression of free speech is a tide that needs turning back quickly, before it floods society and drowns us dreamers in its wake.

Free speech in the UK and around the world…

Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park is of course famous as a place where anyone can turn up and freely talk about anything. I wonder if this activity is also under threat. I heard on the radio the other day of someone who had turned up at Speakers’ Corner and was

top: Presenter Joanne Malin launches Speakers Corner in Lichfield in 2009; inset: Speakers Corner in Auckland; right: Speakers Corner in Singapore

arrested just for being there. Probably the way this was justified was due to the pandemic restrictions, but nevertheless that’s quite an authoritarian action.

I recently discovered that there are at least five further Speakers’ Corners located in London such as Lincoln Inn Fields and Clapham Common and also at official spots in various towns and cities across the UK such as Nottingham, Lichfield and Worthing. Amazingly, there are also Speakers’ Corners in at least eleven countries around the world, such as Australia, Canada and Trinidad and Tobago.

This would seem to suggest free speech is considered important generally across the planet. One could possibly label an oppressive regime as any government that has not created, or had not allowed, Speakers’ Corners to exist in any part of the country.

Of course George Orwell’s 1984 is famous for its portrayal of an super oppressive government, which has a secret police force called ‘Thinkpol’ or ‘Thought Police’ who discover and punish thoughtcrime, thoughts unapproved by the government, via informers and other means. How near are we to this today? We are arguably nearer than we were a few decades ago. Let’s hope we have a better fate than that which befalls Winston Smith.

It will be too late when it’s a bright cold day in April, and the clocks strike thirteen.

A personal comment…

Alfred Bester’s 1953 novel The Demolished Man (see right) is one of my all-time favourite books. Although it could be considered a ‘spoiler’ to tell you this, the very last two sentences of this story more or less sum up my, and I imagine, many other people’s current attitude to life as we emerge from the pandemic.

The story has a rollercoaster of a plot and an altogether marvellous depiction of a futuristic society. Then, after a very dramatic denouement the story ends with these two lines.

“There has been joy. There will be joy again.”

On a lighter note – the latest Lockdown in Retrospect

(part two – following on from ‘2020 in retrospect’ , see Coda, ingénu/e issue 30)

For a bit of fun, try singing this along to the music of Billy Joel’s song ‘We didn’t start the fire’ – it more or less works!

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Joe Biden, take the knee

Summer travel, Piers Morgan, Clapham Common vigil

Boris Johnston, Bristol riots, GMTV, covid passports

Oprah Winfrey, Mr Whitty, Nicola Sturgeon

Prince Philip, Banksy, racism, death threats

Twitter, algorithms, police brutality

Mars rover, Bill Gates, trackers in the vaccine

Warren Buffet, Ever Given, burly lad from Batley

Kill the bill is a danger

Violence lurking, since the Bill’s been irking

Kill the bill is a danger

No we didn't like it, so we tried to fight it

“There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.”

–Leonard Cohen, Selected Poems, 1956-1968

photo by Wonderlane