THE  ABERDYFI ARTIST

Dear Member,

I was out in the garden at dusk, putting the dampers on a smouldering bonfire which has been burning all week, and enjoying the evening birdsong, when my mind wandered to that marvellous wartime introduction, Double Summer Time. Our present measly ration of Single Summer Time is due to start next week. Why is it so late? One of the arguments is that it would be dark until after 9am in Scotland if it were to be introduced any earlier. Well, I was up there, in the northern Cairngorms, at the beginning of March and it was light well before 7am and not dark until after 6pm. Why, therefore, could it not be introduced at the beginning of March? That would give an extra hour of daylight for we gardeners to make good use of at this busiest time of the year. But back to DST – we never went to bed when it was dark. We were out in the fields helping with haymaking, which took place later in the year then, then it was down to the allotment to help mother with our own harvest. The sun always shone, and I don’t think midges had been created. I don’t remember them until much later in life. What about bonfires – have you noticed that there seems to be some law of physics which states that from whichever side you approach them the smoke will turn towards you and follow you round as you try to escape from it?

Thinking of those few brave souls who bothered to come to the AGM last week,  they must all have experienced and probably enjoyed DST in their youth. Perhaps that experience taught us not to fear going out after tea! Younger members seem unwilling to make the effort to support the Society in the evening. But they need not fear the dark any longer for it has been agreed that next year’s AGM will be held during the day, at a painting day in The Yacht Club. The date is Tuesday 16^th March 2004, at 10.30am.

Which, of course, brings me neatly to the business of the AGM. Sixteen members were keen enough to attend on a balmy Spring evening. In the absence of Jack Harbottle, who is sadly not at all well, Peter Coldham  took the chair. He was subsequently appointed to the post for the coming year as well. Stewart Carmichael agreed to stay on as Treasurer, but said that this would definitely be his last year in the post. We welcomed Peter Bartholomew to the Committee, he bravely vounteered! John Hoyle suggested that there should be a Vice-Chairperson, and was promptly given the job. So, the officers and committee for 2003-4 are:-

President – Kay Morris

Chair – Peter Coldham

Vice-chair – John Hoyle

Secretary – Bev Barratt

Treasurer – Stewart Carmichael

Committee – Jean Barratt, Peter Bartholomew, Ann Coldham, Vic Gowers, Doreen Greenaway, and Teddy Kilner.

There was unanimous agreement that the membership fee should be raised to £8 per annum. I should here thank those members who were unable to attend but were kind enough to write in with their comments on the notes to the AGM Agenda.

 The proposal for the removal of certain dates from the annual programme of painting days was agreed. There will be no meetings in January, August and December, nor on the third Tuesday in July. The summer programme is attached. Vic suggested that space be made available on the membership card to write in details of the winter programme when it has been arranged. This was agreed and Vic volunteered to print the cards.

Thanks to all those who attended and contributed to a lively and constructive meeting.

OBITUARY – BARBARA FULLER.

Philip Newman has informed me that

sadly Barbara Fuller died shortly before Christmas in The Bay Nursing Home in Tywyn. She was 87 and had been very poorly for some years, both there and in the geriatric section of Tywyn Hospital. She was quite “ga ga” in the end and did not know anybody. She founded the Aberdovey Art and Field Society along with Margaret Hayes and Betty Kirk-Owen. She started the art classes at the Outward Bound where her husband, Captain Fuller, was Warden.

Kay Morris is the only original member who is still with the Society. Joan Newman joined a few months after it was formed, as did Jack Marchant, but –

OBITUARY – JACK MARCHANT.

The Brigadier, as we called him, died in October 2002. He had been a keen and active member of the Society almost since its formation. At that time he was the Commanding Officer of the miltary establishment in Sandilands Road in Tywyn, and stayed in the area after his retirement. He led a full and exciting life and I am only sorry that news of the date of his funeral did not reach me until after the event. I was on Cadair Idris that day and heard distant gunfire which I later discovered had been fired in his honour. He will be sadly missed at our painting days, a lovely man.

Annual Subscriptions are now due, entry form is enclosed herewith. Please let Stewart have your cheque as soon as possible. Membership cards will be sent to those who pay!

As I write we are looking forward to the Annual Luncheon at Penmaendyfi Hotel. I hope there will be a good turn out of members.

A reminder of the dates of the Annual Exhibition at Neuadd Dyfi. This year it will run from  Monday 28^th July to Sunday 10^th August. Paintings to be delivered to the Neuadd on the morning of Saturday 26^th July. Entry Forms will be out in June.

Last but certainly not least I would like to thank Jack Harbottle for his constructive period at the helm. We are all very sad that his health will not allow him to continue to take an active role. I am sure that I speak on behalf of every member who knows him when I hope that he makes a speedy recovery and that we shall see him out and about again soon. Our thoughts too are with Joan in this sad and difficult time.

I hope you all have a pleasant and productive Spring and Summer

Best wishes,

Bev Barratt

Gellygen Fach

Pantperthog

Machynlleth

SY20 9AY

23 March 2003

Last modified: 09/29/05