Our first meeting, after the summer break, welcomed Andrew Churchill, Marketing Manager for the Watts Gallery in Compton. The Watts Gallery is home to the studio collection of 19th century painter and sculptor G.F. Watts and includes works by his wife, Mary. Opened in 1904, just two months before Watt’s death, it is one of the few purpose-built picture galleries in the UK housing a single professional artist’s collection and is an early example of an Arts and Crafts building, listed Grade II; built not only as a Gallery but also to serve as a hostel for apprentices working at the pottery founded by Mary Seton Watts. Andrew explained that the Gallery had come second in the bid to win the BBC TV series “Restoration Village”. If they had won, the money would have gone towards the “Hope peal” (named after Watts’ painting, Hope), set up in 2004 and which needed ? £10 million to save the site from ruin. However, only months after losing out on the TV prize, the gallery’s director Perdita Hunt and her team made a successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund, who gave the gallery a £?4.3 million grant which allowed the restoration to go ahead. The TV show raised the profile of the gallery which helped in fund raising and they now have 850 friends. Andrew showed us slides of the gallery before work commenced and the work now being carried out. He also showed us a collection of the paintings housed at the gallery. The problem of what to do with the pictures during restoration was solved by distributing them to the Guildhall Art Gallery and various other galleries. The work was delayed by snow and then the contractors went into administration. However, it is hoped that the gallery will open late next year. Andrew answered many questions from our members and handed out leaflets, inviting our members to become a friend to help support this unique gallery in the future.
Our October speaker will be Colin Skeaping. Colin’s dog Tully performed in the Nomad production of ‘Annie’ and Colin will talk to us about training animals on stage and screen and his work as a stunt coordinator. Members who are on the list and cannot attend this meeting, please contact Mary Brooks before Sunday 18th October (01483 283507)
In November we shall welcome Leonard Beighton who has had a very varied career in Government. In retirement, Leonard has travelled the world, particularly with his local Church involvement in Uganda and Kosovo.
Mary Brooks.
