2007 Events
The Art Exhibition
"Once again, the Trinity Art Exhibition showed what a wealth of talent there is in our town. We had 300 exhibits and a record number was sold. It was a joy to wander round and see the great variety of paintings, quite a few by members of our own congregation or their friends.
There were the usual lovingly depicted local views, Lake District scenes, and tempting glimpses of holiday locations. Flower studies were popular as always, and there were some engaging portraits of animals and children.
There were also several abstract paintings - some baffling, some intriguing.
Four very different exhibits from Peter Hanson showed us that the younger generation is bursting with talent. I particularly liked his sheet of meticulous aeroplane drawings.
>Having already bought so many paintings at this exhibition in past years, I have had to stop, but if I had another big room to fill, I would have chosen Parr's two beautiful child studies in pastel "Lost in Thought" and "Girl in Blue Blouse", Brian Oliver's "Freesias" a big, bold vase of flowers in acrylic on a brilliant blue background; and two watercolours - McDonald's "Caledonian Canal, Fort Augustus", (because I'm hooked on canals) and, top of my list: "Halsall Church", by G. McQuade, which depicts the spire rising from a misty foreground.
It's just as well I haven't the space - that lot would have cost me £282.50!
Everyone will have had their own favourites they kept returning to again and again. We are grateful to all the exhibitors and to Christine Garner for masterminding the event and to the helpers who put up the display boards and hung the pictures.
It is always interesting to see an artist at work, both for the layman and also for other artists, to compare techniques, and it was good to have Jill and Ruth in residence in a corner of the hall.
In the Small Hall, the exhibition of corn dollies proved absolutely fascinating. This ancient art has been practised for hundreds and thousands of years, all over the world, and every region has its own style. Mrs Lynne Gibbons was so enthusiastic and interested in her subject that she was a delight to talk to.
Throughout the event, whenever patrons felt their energy flagging, we could sit down and enjoy delicious homemade refreshments provided by the indefatigable Fiona and Hilda. We were truly spoilt."
ORLYK - Ukrainian 'Folk Dance Ensemble'
"Those people who joined us on the opening evening of the Festival had a real treat. It began with a breathtaking display of Cossack-dancing from the men, brandishing real swords - sparks literally flew in several occasions! I thought for a moment that they were going to decapitate the mayor at the end of the dance. Never sit on the front row for anything is my motto!
The ladies performed a wide variety of colourful, lively and graceful dances. Their costumes were amazing! They were all hand-made and embroidered in cross-stitch; the colours and patterns represented different villages and regions of the Ukraine.
The dancers were accompanied by their own musicians, playing on a fascinating collection of instruments. One should never compete with children and animals! Three delightful little girls won the hearts of many mums in the audience, but the two little budding Cossack boys stole the show with their lively display."
Madelaine Caplan
"A brilliant evening. We were privileged to see this group from Manchester, which has won many prizes, including first place at the 2004 Llangollen International Folk dance Competition.
They have also performed for the Royal Family and for Pope John Paul 11 - hopefully the swords did not come as close to them as they did to Tony Tudor!
And finally: Our thanks to the Festival Committee for all the hard work they undertake for us. Such a feast of Art, Drama and Music. There has been something for everybody."
Bess & Charles Williams
Recital by Goldstone and Clemmow - 13 June 2007
We were all well rewarded. From the start, the music was lively and entertaining and the standard of performance was superb.
The programme began with a set of Yiddish Dances commissioned by the artistes from Adam Gorb who shares with them common roots in Jewish Eastern Europe. A Mozart Sonata followed and the first half ended with the hauntingly lyrical and descriptive Peer Gynt Suite No. 1.
After the interval we heard some of Mendelssohn's incidental music to Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream with its sublime slow movement and the well known Wedding March - this time in its entirety.
The theatre theme continued with incidental music by Tchaikovsky to Romeo and Juliet. The brilliance of the music was only matched by the brilliant virtuosity of our celebrated duo.
To have obtained the services of such highly acclaimed and renowned artistes was a real coup for the festival committee. Well done to all concerned."
Calligraphy Workshop
I imagined myself writing the Trinity family birthday cards in beautifully written Italics or Roman Numerals so I was a bit disconcerted when Brian Colvin, the very talented Calligrapher who was leading the workshop said 'are there any left-handers here?' I said 'is that a problem?' to which he replied 'it is for you!'
In spite of that small set-back it proved to be a very enjoyable fun evening, with Brian showing us the pens and inks he used and demonstrating very skilfully the art of Calligraphy.
After a short break for refreshments, we were all invited to 'have a go' which proved to be lots of fun and some surprisingly talented work was produced by first-timers.
For myself, like Abraham Lincoln I'll have to keep persevering! However, we all enjoyed an interesting and happy evening and for some, I'm sure appetites were whetted to pursue this interesting hobby."
Jean Wilkins
