This letter is from the chairman of Cecil Sharp House, Douglas Kennedy to Rose Wells who lived at 18 Fox Close in Bampton. It was to thank Rose for the letter she sent informing them of her grandfather's death. Nathan William 'Jingy' Wells was responsible for keeping Morris dancing alive in Bampton at one time in the early twentieth century.
Lendon Scantlebury and Dawn Benson exhibited in the Gallery in February 2004. Lendon showed work with brilliant colour inspired by Barbados while Dawn used textured pastels to capture the mood of the place.
"Picture books are multi-track ways of talking, using words, graphics, page design, cartoons and art as a way of telling many things simultaneously" said Michael Rosen. In this exhibition West Ox Arts brought another dimension to Korky Paul's zany posters and his riotous books. She used gouache, ink pens and crayons in her pictures. The illustrations for many books were a delight.
With a blend of puppetry, storytelling, animated sculptures, imaginative sets and wonderful music composed specially by Andrew Dodge for this production, Cornelius and Jones Original Productions produced a wonderful evening of storytelling by Neil Canham. Fine sets added to the joy of the evening of this stage version of Oscar Wilde's tale about the kind-hearted prince and his swallow friend,
A group of printmakers came together to put on a really lovely display of their work in September 2006. Artists included
Jane Peart - who has an affinity with animals Heather Power - etched sculptural winter trees and stitched books Morna Rhys - watercolours and drawings Gill Salway - thick card to impress or emboss her plates Toni Clarke - water with sugar etchings Esther Hepworth - 100 years of family photographs from a precious family shoebox
A distinctive collection of contemporary pottery was on show in April 2006 under the appropriate titel 'Pots' and included work from ten artists under the watchful eye of Sue Rangeley. Some of the artists included
Mark Dally Graham Hudson Jane Hanson Kevin de Choisy Gilles Le Corre John Jelfs
This delightful telling of the story of Pinocchio was done in the Village Hall in January 2006. Really cleaver use of puppetry, songs, music and storytelling thrilled the children, and the accompanying adults. Neil Canham was the only performer and proved to be an outstanding storyteller.
'Lasting Love' was an exhibition in 2005 that offered a wonderful range of subjects and media. Artists included
Neil Drury - really vibrant colours in oil, pastel, collage and gouache Elizabeth Balkwell - beads, a silversmith, semi precious stones Margaret O'Rorke -potter, fine translucent porcelain Isabelle Spencer, a founder member of Oxford Scribes - framed love letters Philip Koomen - unmanaged timber to make unique furniture Christine Tacq - printmaker and typographer makes her own books