Culture

MAGICAL: Bridget Syms at work in her studio and, right, two of her paintings: Moonlight Hare and The Night Watch Artist returns for home-town show

Dorchester-born artist Bridget Syms is returning to the town to exhibit her distinctive animal portraiture. The exhibition, named Animal Magic: The Strange and the Familiar, will take place at Gallery on The Square, Poundbury from October 1 to November 5. Bridget, who now lives and works in West Cornwall, is a painter of wildlife and domestic animals whose work ranges from straightforward animal portraits to entirely surreal images formed from dreams or flights of fancy. Bridget says that from the time she could hold a crayon, drawing and animals has been her ‘obsession’. Bridget’s formal art training began as a studio assistant to painter Rod Hamer, where she gained the techniques and disciplines of classical drawing and painting. She later trained in the restoration of ceramics and sculpture, specialising in early European and Oriental ceramics, and ran her own workshop.

Night Zoo’s captivating stories of motherhood

Dorset author Sarah Barr has published a collection of short stories informed by themes of motherhood and feminism. Night Zoo subverts readers’ expectations with stories about characters who contemplate the meaning of home in the face of climate change and others who are haunted by ghosts of their past. Sarah Barr weaves an intricate, cyclical thread of regret and hope, offering captivating glimpses into the lives of her distinctive cast of characters. London-born Sarah Barr, who has masters degrees in social sciences and creative writing from Southampton University, now lives in Dorset where she writes, leads writing groups, and works as a mentor. She has also worked as a counsellor and as an Open University tutor of social sciences and creative writing. Her short stories have been published in anthologies, including The Cinnamon Review of Short Fiction, and in magazines including The Yellow Room and Woman’s Weekly. “Reading Sarah’s work reminds me of taking a trip to a destination where I’ve been before, but then seeing it with new eyes. “A delight to read,” said Della Galton, author of the Over Bluebell Cliff series. Night Zoo is available in paperback now.

The West Dorset Magazine, September 23, 2022 45 Culture Singers on tour down memory lane

Singers in Dorset have been digging through old records for inspiration –but not in the way you might imagine. The Ridgeway Singers and Band is collaborating with Dorset History Centre to bring to life old music long hidden in its archives. Now the singers are preparing to put on a series of concerts in Dorchester, Wareham and Poole based on their discoveries. Dorset History Centre holds the musical manuscripts of William Knapp, the renowned 18th century Dorset musician who composed the hymn tune Wareham. One of Knapp’s works, which will be performed by the singers, is dedicated to Blandford after a huge fire in 1731 destroyed most of the town. Works from the music book of Benjamin Rose will also feature in the singers’ concerts. Rose was a farmer and alehouse keeper from near Okeford Fitzpaine who wrote a collection of catchy country dance tunes in around 1820. Other songs will be taken from the Hammond manuscripts, which contain several songs collected in Dorset. The two Hammond brothers collected nearly 700 folksongs from the county between 1905 and 1908, travelling around only by bicycle. The Ridgeway Singers have said they will perform at least one folk song at each concert that was collected in the town in which they are performing. The singers will also be performing Linden Lea, which was written by William Barnes and set to music by Ralph Vaughan Williams. A spokesperson for the singers said: “It’s amazing what you can find in a box that has sat on the shelf for a long time, the results can be very intriguing. “The songs, music and readings we have unearthed will be delivered in the Ridgeway’s usual joyful, punchy way.” The Ridgeway Singers’ performances will begin with a concert at Dorchester’s Dorford Centre at 7.30pm on Thursday, October 6. The singers will also perform at Lady St Mary Church in Wareham at 4pm on Saturday, October 8 and at St James’ Parish Church at 7.30pm on Thursday, October 13. Tickets are £10 for adults, £5 for under18s, via TicketSource or at ridgewaysingersand band.org or call 01305 852826.

ON SONG: The Ridgeway Singers and and Band and, left, Tim Laycock and Phil Humphries

Orchestra on look out to increase membership

Calling all musicians: West Dorset Community Orchestra is looking for new members. Musical director Walter Brewster says the orchestra is for players of all ages who ‘wish to make music in a fun setting’. The orchestra rehearses on Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 7.45pm at the Christian Fellowship Hall at the back of the car park in East Street, Bridport. The first rehearsal for the coming season was on Wednesday, September 14. Mr Brewster said: “We’d love to see some new faces. “The standard of ability is quite wide, we have some advanced players and some who are returning to their instruments after a break. Concerts take place locally twice a year, one in the summer and one at Christmas. “Your first half term is free so come along and give it a try. We are a very friendly group.” For more information visit westdorsetmusic.org.uk or email walter@westdorsetmusic.org.uk or call 07967 117012 or Pat Crawford on 01308 456297.

46 The West Dorset Magazine, September 23, 2022 Culture Formidable foursome’s concert for festival friends

The Friends of Beaminster Festival are holding an afternoon concert at 3pm on Saturday, October 15 in St Mary’s Church. It will be performed by the Cirrus Quartet with pianist Mike Stanley. The programme will include Mozart Piano Quartet in E flat K.493, W.H.Reed Quartet no.4 in C and Elgar Piano Quintet in A minor op.84. The members of the Cirrus Quartet are all leading solo and chamber music performers who have played with most of the leading chamber orchestras in London as well as top woodwind instrumentalists. Cirrus has performed at the Wigmore Hall, been recorded by BBC radio, appeared on TV and has released a number of CDs. Martin Smith (violin) is a scholarship winner at the Royal Academy of Music who has appeared as guest leader of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Suzanne Loze (violin) played with the Bournemouth Sinfonietta and has freelanced with many of the London orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia, London Sinfonietta, City of London Sinfonia, English National Opera and Britten Sinfonietta. She has been leader of the Essex Chamber Orchestra since 2006. Morgan Goff (viola) works extensively as a session, chamber and solo violist alongside his freelance career in the West End. David Burrowes (cello) sang as a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral and has been the guest principal with the London Mozart Players and City of London Sinfonia and played with the Philharmonia and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Mike Stanley (piano) was a founder member of the Yehudi Menuhin School and moved into light music ,touring with rock bands and theatrical productions. He moved into the West End as Musical Director of Cats. Alongside this he has worked as a composer for children’s television and as a session player.

n Tickets for this concert are £12, available from Yarn Barton, Fleet Street, Beaminster , the Book Shop, South Street Bridport or on the door.

AFTERNOON CONCERT: The Cirrus Quartet are at Beaminster’s St Mary’s Church next month

Keeping mental health in mind at art exhibition

An art exhibition entitled Coming Out of My Shell is to be held at the Shire Hall Museum in Dorchester in conjunction with Humphries Kirk Solicitors, showcasing the creative talents of people who use the mental health service. Organised by Dorset HealthCare’s Weymouth & Portland Community Health Team (CMHT) this is the brainchild of community support worker Jonai Da Silva, who has long recognised hidden artistic talents in people he has worked with. Following a successful preliminary exhibition at Weymouth College in April, Jonai has recently been nominated for a Dorset HealthCare Better Every Day Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award for his work in promoting and encouraging his clients. He said: “Many people in our care have serious mental illnesses and sometimes art can be very therapeutic. “We want to celebrate the talents and achievements of them rather than focus on the challenges they face.” Sarah Case, from Weymouth has been supported by the team for five years and has contributed a variety of paintings and artwork for the display. She said: “I find a lot of enjoyment from art and it’s a great way for me to express myself.”

n The exhibition will run from Monday, September 26 to Saturday, October 1, and viewing is included with your entry ticket to the Shire Hall Museum from 10am till 3pm.

SHELL-SUITED: The exhibition is at the Shire Hall from September 26 to October 1

Grammy-nominated Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Beth Nielsen Chapman is back, with her 15th studio album CrazyTown released on September 23. To celebrate, she will perform at Weymouth Pavilion on October 27. Since the release of her first album Hearing It First in 1980, Beth has made her mark in music. Her body of work includes seven number one hits and spans a diverse roster of legendary artists who have covered her songs including Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Bette Midler, Keb’ Mo and Elton John, and has often been featured in film and TV. The depth of her music reflects her resilience and strength, having come through many life challenges, she has survived with humour and an endless sense of wonder, as vital as ever. Her new album CrazyTown offers further insight into the heart and soul of a hugely established artist who, 40 years into her career, continues to take risks and create something entirely new. “It’s about navigating chaos” says Beth. “How, even despite everything being crazy, on some level one can trust that things are in divine order and that we will be okay. There’s a lot of groove and joy and fun on this album, along with a couple of deep dive ballads.” Whilst CrazyTown will give fans everything they want from a Beth Nielsen Chapman record it’s actually quite a departure for her, in terms of overall sound and also in the recording process. “I let go more on this record than I have ever before in my recording experiences,” said Beth, who happily let producer Ray Kennedy take the reins on which musicians played on the record. “I turned to Ray and said ‘put me together a slamming band’. And boy did he ever!”

Beth taking her new CrazyTown album out on tour

ON SONG AND ON TOUR: Beth Neilsen Chapman, her LP CrazyTown

Dean’s first gig for 25 years after beating illness

Singer-songwriter Dean Carter will be playing his first full gig since falling ill with ME 25 years ago. The ambient-acoustic guitarist will play his first album for a quarter of a century at Sherborne’s Pageant Gardens from 2pm on Saturday, September 24. He said: “It’s a very special event for me, my first full gig and music album for… ahem…25 years….since illness (ME) completely stopped me in my tracks and changed the course of my life and sonic endeavours to be channelled into the field of healing sound. This, too, can be thought of as ‘sound healing’, I believe.” The album, Songs Without Words/Towards Tomorrow – the double title reflects the fact that the album comprises one ‘side’ of instrumentals, one of songs – will be released on HOWL Records the same day. You can see Dean on YouTube, where he performs Sea of Tranquillity at the David Hall in South Petherton.

Culture Devil’s best tunes... it’s the nature of the Beast

BIT OF A BEAST: The Devil’s Violin For some 15 years, acclaimed performers The Devil’s Violin have created magical performances, dazzling their audiences and this autumn, the thespians and musicians will be returning to Dorset with The Beast in Me with Artsreach. The Beast in Me features a masterfully woven tapestry of stories from long ago about our perception of beauty and the value of kindness. Epic narratives are evocatively brought to life by master storyteller Daniel Morden, with sublime stringed accompaniment from virtuoso musicians Sarah Moody (cello) and Oliver Wilson-Dickson (violin), who Artsreach audiences will know well from previous appearances with Welsh folk groups Mabon and ALAW. Expect a charming, chilling and thrilling evening’s entertainment. n The Devil’s Violin will perform live at Drimpton Village Hall on Sunday, October 23 at 7.30pm.

Speed of life documented by Simon

The ‘Solzhenitsyn of Sherborne’, Simon JBP, has penned a colourful tale of a live well lived - La Vie Va Trop Vite (Life Goes Too Fast.) Beginning in pre-war England and ending with the ‘joys of living in a delightful community in Sherborne’, Simon’s 80 years are humorously documented, illustrated with photographs, tumbling across each page. Packed with outrageous commentary, this fascinating book covers all aspects of Simon’s life from childhood games on Sandbanks beach to the outbreak of the Second World War and from his expulsion from prepschool to adventures in Vancouver. Simon went on to run a hugely successful baby product manufacturer and said: “By 1990 my company was selling to more than 40 countries with 3,000 retail customers in the UK. We have to add that even Margaret Thatcher was of some surprising assistance.” Various blows, hiccups and delights assaulted Simon over the years, but his tale strives forward with a move to Monaco with his second wife Carol before buying a vineyard in Devon, complete with longhouse. Simon said: “A blissful seven years followed until a series of minor health problems appeared. The property including the vineyard were sold and a quieter life beckoned. Very sadly my wonderful wife Carol was attacked by cancer and, now a widower, I have settled in Sherborne, in a delightful quadrangle, peopled by neighbours of the most charming and helpful nature.” The book’s ISBN number is ISBN 10: 139991524X.

READ ALL ABOUT: Simon with his new book and, right, with his late wife Carol

An exhibition of colourful and joyous paintings inspired by Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens opens next month. Bridport artists Angie Porter and Claudia Dharamshi are holding an exhibition of recent paintings called The Secret Gardener at Grow Slow nursery and café in Bridport. Both artists have made plein air paintings at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens for this show. Although each has a distinct and intuitive style of work, they are united in their expressive approach to painting, featuring bold mark making and use of colour. Angie first encountered Abbotsbury Gardens as a new mum and visited in the early days with her baby following a traumatic birth experience. The gardens became a haven for her where she could sit for hours and felt healed by the trees. She said: “It was as though I had entered a magical world. There were moments when I felt connected to the trees, the lily pads and the birds. I felt calm and at home in a way I had never felt since I was in Australia as a child.” Angie has since become a full time artist and returned this summer to paint the garden that transported her all those years ago. Anthony Trewavas’ work on plant intelligence serves as the inspiration for The Secret Gardener Exhibition, where art and science come together to celebrate our connections to the natural world through a garden. Claudia’s recent garden paintings are inspired by Abbotsbury gardens and the work of pioneering Victorian artist and explorer Marianne North. North bucked convention by travelling, often alone to remote parts of the world in her quest to document exotic plants. Her paintings allow us to travel vicariously and imagine ourselves in these remote and verdant places, many of which no longer exist. Growing up on a farm in rural Somerset Claudia spent many hours in the beautiful gardens which her grandmother (another pioneering woman) had created from scratch. For her, these garden paintings evoke not only the expeditions of Marianne North, but also memories of childhood daydreaming, lost in the scents and colours of the garden. There’s a private view of the exhibition on Saturday, October 1 from 6pm-8pm, with a talk by Stephen Griffith at 7.30pm. The exhibition runs until October 29 at Grow Slow Nursery, Farm Shop & Café, Broomhill Farm, Westbay Fields, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 5LB (open MondayWednesday 10am-5pm/ Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm).

IN THE FRAME: Artist Angie Porter and some of the paintings on show at the exhibition The secret is out as artists’ garden work goes on show