News

(N.B. this section is now arranged in order of months, with the most recent at the top of the page.  It is now updated to 27/07/2011)

Overview:

2010 was a very busy and successful year for Margaret, with plenty going on both with her painting and her music teaching, and she has been working, if anything, harder than ever in 2011, and has produced a lot of new work, some of which is featured in this revised website..  Thanks as ever to all who have supported her work in so many ways, to those who have purchased work, and to the galleries which continue to support sales of Margaret’s paintings.

Particular thanks are due to Zillah Bell Gallery, to Al Milnes at Staithes Gallery, to Simon Hester at Artco (Leeds), to Kris Day from Messums for his continued interest and to Rosemary and Mike Holcroft for their ongoing support.

Thanks also to Ann Petherick for continued interest and the recent joint exhibition at Kentmere House Gallery.

Margaret continues to teach her 21 piano students (soon to increase to 23, as there are two new applicants to be pupils) four evenings a week during term time; it is sometimes an interesting exercise to balance the demands of her two very contrasting professions, but she finds that each complements the other in so many ways. Two of Margaret's pupils have done well recently in their Associated Board Exams, getting a 'merit' at Grade 2 and a 'distinction' at Grade 5 respectively.

A typical day for Margaret will be: about 8.00 am walking the dog about one and a half miles with Tom after breakfast, then work in her studio (with a mid-morning break for coffee) to about 12.30 pm, then piano practice (sometimes this is at 4.30 pm instead), lunch, and more working the studio to about 3.15 pm, when she has tea or may walk round to visit her Mum, Doreen (less than half a mile away) to have tea with her.  In term times she will start teaching pupils at 5.00 pm four days a week, finishing between 7.00 and 8.00 pm for a late meal (normally prepared by Tom).  Socialising takes place normally on Thursday nights or at weekends.  After teaching on Friday she and Tom are normally to be found in the New Marine pub on the Marine Parade for a beer and perhaps a bar meal.

Diary

Please note that the period since the last update in March 2010 has been considerably summarized, for the sake of necessary brevity.  Anyone wishing to follow more detailed diary entries can receive a Rich Text version for each year since (and including) 2009 as an e-mail attachment by return by e-mailing Margaret on margaretshields2003@yahoo.co.uk.

Diary entries are in inverse order of months:

July 2011

02/07/2011: With three large and two small paintings and one car sick dog drove to Malton via Castleton (where walked along the bank just over the river from the Eskdale Inn) and Hutton-le-Hole, and left the works with Les Prince for framing.  Glad to find Les and Sue both well – Les full of fascinating gossip as usual.  Returned via Kirkham, Welburn, Castle Howard, Slingsby and Kirkbymoorside, where we had a coffee in the Summit bookshop (www.summitbookshop.co.uk) – Margaret had a browse and bought a book – and got some lunch at the lovely deli in the main street.  Home via Gillamoor, Blakey Rigg, Castleton, etc.

07/07/2011: To Vulcan Street, Middlesbrough, where Margaret did sketches and walked around, looking for future material.  Called for equipment at Jarred’s, then had lunch at Goodbody’s Café in Albert Road.  Met our friend Kelly for tea in the Porthole Café, near Albert Park.

10/07/2011: Seafront Celebration at Saltburn (in aid of the 150th anniversary celebrations – see www.saltburn150.org.uk , www.saltburn-by-the-sea.blogspot.com and www.saltburnbysea.com).  Watched, holding our breath, as traction engine ‘Bill Boy’ carefully descended Saltburn Bank to the promenade.  Walked up the valley past the donkey rides, the stalls and the balloon ascent (only able to see the basket – the envelope not yet inflated).  Later down the steps at the Hazlegrove end and walked along the promenade, seeing traction engines, fairground organs, stalls of all kinds, and an excellent display of classic and vintage cars.  At 12.00 had an excellent view of the flying display by a WW2 Mustang fighter, which in spite of its age gave a spirited, not to say terrifying, performance, before disappearing almost at sea level round Huntcliffe.  Margaret’s Mum came round for lunch, and later we sat out in the front garden and were able to see much of the second flying display by a professional stunt team of five biplanes.

14/07/2011: Drove via Ripon, Killinghall, Blubberhouses Moor, Allingham, Silsden, Keighley and Hebden Bridge to Todmorden to see Mike Holcroft’s exhibition of flower paintings and drawings at the Water Street Gallery (see 'Links' page).  Stopped at Silsden for lunch in one of the local cafes and bakeries of which the town seems full.  Mike’s exhibition was a revelation – wonderfully sensitive work, and a pleasure to see.  Enjoyed a long chat with Mike and Rosemary, who welcomed us with coffee and biscuits.  Tom explored Todmorden a little (it’s a really interesting town) with Roxy, who distinguished herself this trip by being sick only once.  A fine day, though the weather closed in a bit on the return journey.  Stopped at the Lord Nelson Inn just outside Harrogate for beer and food – a useful and pleasant watering hole.

23/07/2011: To Thirsk with two paintings for the Zillah Bell Gallery (see 'Links' page) Summer Exhibition, and left them with Miriam, who was in charge today.  Had a nice chat with her, then picked up two paintings for return, and drove to Osmotherly, where we had lunch in the Copper Kettle Tea Rooms before having a walk with Roxy along part of the Cleveland Way and up to the old chapel in the woods near the top of the moor – a secret place, which feels very much out of the world.  Very warm today, though there was no haze in the air, and the distant views from Osmotherly Moor were stupendous – we could see as far as Wensleydale, Richmond and Swaledale, Cross Fell and the Durham Heights.  Returned home via Sheep Wash and Swainby, stopping at Stokesley to do some shopping and to have another walk along the banks of the quietly-flowing River Leven, full at this season of baby ducklings and moorhen chicks.

24/07/2011: A complete contrast today – a cold overcast morning, with a bitter wind off the sea, which was running high – a mass of foam and spindrift out beyond the edge of the pier (the tide quite high), and white breakers out as far as the eye could see.  Took Margaret’s Mum, Doreen, out to lunch at the Cross Keys, near Guisborough, to cheer us all up.

25/07/2011: Visit from Guy and Carole Cohen of the Campden Gallery, Chipping Campden (www.campdengallery.co.uk).  They are visiting the North East for the first time, and are very impressed with the landscape – stayed at Whitby overnight, and are planning to return via Scarborough.  They had a nice long chat with Margaret, and a good look at her work, and left with six oils and six watercolours for their gallery.  They seem like very nice people, good to talk with.

27/07/2011: Margaret’s Mum rather off colour today.  This is quite unusual, so the Doctor was called.  Diagnosis – nothing seriously wrong, but possibly a mild virus leading to some vertigo.  Margaret did some shopping and cooking for her.  The dog Roxy also at the vets today for a minor but necessary operation – all went well, and she came home the same day, but no long walks for a couple of weeks – she is a bit knocked out, but clearly enjoys all the fuss and sympathy.

June 2011

03/06/2011: Drove to the Fox and hounds at Ainthorpe for a beer.  Very warm.  Had a picnic on a shady seat on the quoits green opposite - beautiful views up Eskdale.  Walked via narrow lanes down and up again to the other (W) side of Ainthorpe and back again.  Drove back via Danby Beacon road, Moor Road, Lingdale and Skelton.  Saltburn sea front very busy.  Sat in yard, which was tolerably cool, and had tea – exhausted by heat.

04/06/2011: A complete contrast – wind off sea NE backing to N, overcast and cold, later damp with low cloud hiding the top of Warsett Hill.

05/06/2011: Stopped for tea at ‘The Sitting Room’, the tea shop which is part of the Profile Gallery (www.profilegallery.co.uk).  Here, as well as seeing interesting exhibitions, you can sit in a comfortable lounge or at open-air but sheltered tables and enjoy speciality teas and coffee while watching the passing Saltburn scene, which seems to be becoming more bustling by the minute.

14/06/2011: A beautiful day – calm sea, mild, sky slightly overcast but clearing.  Following our usual morning walk with the dog Roxy, sat in Signals Bistro in the old station buildings, watching the comings and goings as the town came to life.  Joined by Margaret’s Mum, Doreen, who had just been to the hairdresser’s, so one coffee turned into more than one.

17/06/2011: Another fine day – sea very slightly rippled, with smooth regular waves, though too small for surfers.  To Signals again.

18/06/2011: To Darlington for a visit to the Tees Cottage Pumping Station (www.communigate.co.uk/ne/teescottagepumpingstation)(a trip organised by the Cleveland Industrial Archaeology Society - www.teesarchaeology.com/new/CIAS.html), where we were able to see several generations of pumping equipment for Darlington’s and Stockton’s water supply, dating from as early as 1842.  Examples of a huge beam engine and an early gas engine were to be seen (and heard!) working – visually stunning and providing a superb multiple sensory experience which was quite unforgettable.  Walked the dog Roxy down by the River Tees – beautiful and quite remote feeling though so close to town.  Finally had a delicious home-made tea in the Pumping Station Tea House in the old superintendent’s cottage.

22/06/2011: With friends Liz and Martin Long to Kirkleatham Hall Museum (www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/museums) and had coffee in Lillie’s Tea Room, before seeing the Saltburn Photographic Society’s very impressive exhibition of photos of the Iron and Steel industry, especially the Redcar Blast Furnace.  Went on to see the ‘Saxon Princess’ exhibition – most informative, and featuring the marvelous range of personal jewellery and artifacts found at Street Houses, Loftus by Teesside archaeologist Dr Steve Sherlock, whose talk on the dig we attended in 2009 (see entry for 14/03/2009).

23/06/2011: With Margaret’s Mum Doreen to Preston Park, Eaglescliffe (www.stockton,gov.uk/citizenservices/leisureandents/artsculture/phm)where, after lunch at the café we avoided the building site that is the park and museum at present and went to Butterfly World (www.butterflyworldltd.co.uk), where you can interact with (and frequently get sat on by) an amazing variety of butterfly species, which breed in their wonderfully planted and maintained indoor habitat.

25/06/2011: To Staithes Gallery with two small paintings.  Saw Al Milnes, Proprietor, who is still doing her Masters Degree on Prisoners’ Art – she has now assembled so much material that the problem has become what to leave out (anyone who has done an advanced course of study knows what this is like).  Brought back two large oils – ‘Reflection’ and ‘Tees Estuary’.

27/06/2011: To Redcar sea front.  Fine, very warm, quite hazy; sea calm.  Margaret did drawing of large pipe laying vessel ‘Tog Mor’ (www.allseas.co.uk/59/equipment/tog-mor) just offshore – an interesting though not elegant marine beast.  Then to the Stray Café for coffee and snacks on toast.  Back to Redcar promenade where Margaret did a drawing of the Redcar Steel Plant and the South Gare.  Later today Margaret was able (after much hard work) to send off her accounts to the accountant for her tax return.  She rewarded herself by watching tennis on TV.

28/06/2011: Margaret drew a large tanker (or bulk carrier) ‘Seafarer’ off the coast in her morning break, using the telescope Tom gave her for her birthday.  Visit today (one day early and at short notice!) from Carol Tee and David Messum of Messums Gallery.  They spent a pleasant few hours chatting with Margaret and looking at work, which they seemed to enjoy – a further joint show along the lines of ‘The Elemental North’ is a possibility for early next year.

May 2011

01/05/2011: Took Margaret’s mum Doreen to Fowl Green Farm, Commondale (www.fowlgreenfarm.co.uk - see entry for 23/04/2011) for coffee and for her to buy some wool.  She was delighted to get real wool (very hard for knitters to obtain nowadays), and even more pleased that it was hand-spun.  Returned via Kildale and Great Ayton – a beautiful day.

02/05/2011: To Lily Park, Redcar, then to the Stray after a visit to the famous Stray Café for coffee.  Margaret did sketches at each site.   The drilling rig has gone, but the tender is still there – seems strange.

06/05/2011: With Doreen, Margaret’s mum, drove to White Lodge Hotel, Filey.  A beautiful evening, warm and still – light fading away, house and pub lights coming on one by one.  Settled in to hotel at 10.00 pm with a very welcome whiskey and soda.

07/05/2011: Looked round the Filey shops, and had coffee at Bramwell’s Café.  Later walked round to the Glen Gardens Café – a perfect period piece of a 1950s-1970s seaside café, and took some photos as well as having lunch.  Margaret and Tom entered into the spirit of things by playing a very messy round of crazy golf (not in the café).  The slightly surreal aspect of the day was reinforced when several strangely clad figures puffed their way through the Glen Gardens area in a semi-random fashion – it turned out that a mass orienteering event was taking place in town, and we were on the route.  Later had a stroll along the sea front with Doreen, and called at the Coble Landing to look at the stalls and examine the few but very fine cobles lined up there – ‘Energy’, ‘Kathryn and Sarah’ (Margaret has done an oil painting of this boat from a previous visit), ‘Margaret’ and ‘Gentle Barbara’ (known to us as a former Redcar boat).  Had tea in the Lighthouse Café, then a drive in the country to Muston, Hunmanby and Reighton – all charming villages, and very quiet except for Hunmanby, which was very busy and lively – then back along the coast road.  Put our feet up, then dinner in the hotel.

08/05/2011: Walk via Glen Gardens and through town before taking Doreen to the Lighthouse Café for coffee before a look at the town gardens.  After lunch drove to near Cayton via Gristhorpe and visited the Stained Glass Centre – fascinating for its exposition of techniques as well as its examples of ancient and more modern stained glass work.  Had tea in the centre’s nice garden café, then made a tour of the Wolds in glorious open sunny weather – drove via Killerby, Cayton, Folkton, Flixton (from where we climbed up to the top of the Wolds), Fordon (where we stopped for a look at their tiny ancient and beautifully cared for church), Wold Newton, Thwing, Kilham, Rudston, Burton Fleming, Hunmanby, Primrose Valley, and back to Filey.  Finished the day by sitting in the hotel garden watching the sun go down over a glass of wine – a magical end to a beautiful day.  Saw two very beautiful miniature Pomeranians with their owners – the dogs carried round in the owners’ handbags, which had been selected to match their fur.

09/05/2011: After breakfast had a final coffee and a shop in Filey before leaving in glorious sunshine and up the coast as far as Sandsend, where we had a pleasant pub lunch.  After dropping Doreen at home, collected the dog Roxy from Foxrush Farm where she has been staying while we were away.

18/05/2011: E-mailed Al Milnes at Staithes Gallery re Margaret’s forthcoming ‘Open Studio’ event there (part of a weekend of open studios coordinated by Redcar and Cleveland Council Arts Department), and forwarded some images for publicity.  Today and 19/05/2011 sent out e-mails and circular letters advising Margaret’s contacts of this event.

20/05/2011: Called at Stewart’s Park, Middlesbrough, and visited Nana Tom’s Café in the Captain Cook Museum for coffee after a pleasant walk round the woods and lawns.  Weather cold and windy.  On way home to Greensleeves at Guisborough to pick up music which Margaret had ordered.

21/05/2011: Picnic at Duck Bridge, Danby, on a windy but very sunny day.  Walked along the lane to Ainthorpe and back, finding a group of cricketers climbing the fence into the field across the lane from the ground, seeking the ball after a particularly vigourous six.  The Esk Valley beautiful in the sun.

26/05/2011: With 8 paintings to the Staithes Gallery, where Rob Shaw (artist and gallery friend) helped unload and made an excellent job of hanging them.  Margaret’s cousin Irene Turnbull, her husband Neil and son Stuart turned up at the gallery as the show was being set out, and we had tea with crumpets and cheese and other delights with them at the Bank Top Café afterwards.

28/05/2011: To Staithes Gallery at 2.05 pm for the ‘Open Studio’ event.  Very pleased that old friends Chris and Glenice Davison came – they called at home for tea afterwards.

29/05/2011: To Staithes Gallery again with Margaret’s Mum, Doreen, this afternoon for the ‘Open Studio’ event.  This was really busy – lots of people came, including Michael McGowan from Leeds (we met at Artco) and his very nice wife, and Jan and Gordon McCutcheon (old friends from our days at the Middlesbrough Little Theatre).  It was good to see Jan and Gordon looking so well – Gordon updated us with the progress of restoration, for which he is responsible, on Margaret’s early painting commission (representing the spirit of the drama) for the MLT Club.  The McGowans bought one of Margaret’s seascapes (a favourite).  Saw them later at the Bank Top Café, where we all enjoyed the baking as usual.

30/05/2011: Visited Janet Hutchinson, another artist involved in the Redcar and Cleveland Open Studios Project, who has a studio in the Princes Road Business Centre, Saltburn.  She was preparing a canvas, and told us she was in the midst of changing styles at present – she had some nice bare studies of quite bleak and empty architectural spaces (forgotten corners like city car park approaches), as well as interesting abstract work.

31/05/2011: To Middlesbrough, where Margaret did a drawing of the ‘Lord Byron’ pub in Bridge Street.  Walked round about Feversham Street, Redcar Road, Bridge Street and Queens Square, then Margaret did further drawings in Lower Feversham Street and East Street.  Afterwards to Nana Tom’s Café in the Captain Cook Museum for tea and coffee, warm cheese scone and cake.  Enquiries of the waitress revealed that the boss is called Tom, and the café is named after his Nana – a family-owned business.  Saw the exhibition ‘Smoke on the Beach’, with wonderful Australian Aborigine artifacts, in the museum boardroom.  We are very worried about the future of this local treasure house and valuable resource in the forthcoming round of spending cuts – there are rumours of dispensing with all the professional staff, which would be entirely inappropriate given the value of the collection here, and the importance of Captain Cook to our local history, culture and scientific achievement.  Strangely enough, huge amounts of money are being spent on re-shaping the surrounding park, while the museum is under threat.

April 2011

03/04/2011: To concert by the Kildale Quartet at the Community Hall. 

07/04/2011: With friends Tony and Jan McBride to lunch at the Waiting Room vegetarian café (www.the-waiting-room.co.uk) at Eaglescliffe.  Had a delicious meal, and a good chat about old times and present developments, families and work.  Jan has recently won a short story competition organized between Middlesbrough and twin town Oberhausen, and it looks as if interesting developments may come from this – she’s been such a good writer and dramatist for so long that a major break like this is very welcome.  Tony, who acts as Jack McBride, is getting lots of interesting work recently, and his teaching career with Stagecoach Drama Schools is full of interest.

18/04/2011: Grey and cloudy – ships out at sea seemed to be floating.  Margaret did sketch of St Chad’s Church, Saltersgill, Middlesbrough (she used to go to Brownie meetings here as a child).  Had coffee at Virgo’s, Guisborough, listening to the local gossips, before getting music at Greensleeves Music Shop in Chaloner Street and art supplies at Stokeld’s in Fountain Street.

21/04/2011: Margaret did sketch of the view from North Ormesby flyover in Middlesbrough of adjacent A66 flyover, and had a walk round the area looking at possible future subjects.  To the Python Gallery, Royal Middlehaven House (www.pythongallery.co.uk) – ‘over the border’ as old Middlesbrough hands know it – and enjoyed the earthy and visceral delights of Shirley Fletcher’s exhibiton (including several representations of well-known Saltburn figures disporting themselves with no clothes on) after a coffee in the gallery coffee shop.  Had a walk down to the Transporter and looked at some of the historic sites there, before walking down Vulcan Street to the old Dock Clock and back past the futuristic Middlesbrough College (with a worried thought or two for the future of its young students with the vanishing of EMA) and Queens Square.  Looked at the old Cargo Fleet Ironworks Offices in South Bank Road on the way home – Python Properties are refurbishing them, so hopefully they have escaped demolition.

23/04/2011: Called for coffee at CIC Fowl Green Farm project in Commondale, where they are running a delightful tea room (with free range hens and chickens running round the yard with a friendly old collie), as well as spinning, knitting and weaving their own wool (Margaret got a new beret) and running courses in husbandry and crafts for disabled people.  On to the Feversham Arms, Farndale, where we had an excellent lunch and looked at the local craft fair in the village hall.  On way home drove through a most violent thunderstorm on Commondale Moor – the downpour so violent that the water was unable to run off the road, and visibility down to a few yards.  Fortunately it was short.  Several heavy showers followed us to Saltburn, where they continued into the evening.

27/04/2011: Margaret sketching on Redcar promenade in bright but chilly conditions – a drilling rig quite close in to shore, with a support vessel fussing around – both in green, white and dayglow red livery.  Probably to do with the wind turbine development.  Lots of other shipping in the offing.

March 2011

02/03/2011: Drove to Middlesbrough.  Margaret did further drawing of Albert Road and the bridge carrying the A66 over it (see later painting ‘Borough Hero’).  Then walked up to Woodlands Road near the Evening Gazette Office, where she did a sketch of the little ‘Free Church of England’ brick chapel and old ‘tin tabernacle’ (see later painting ‘Primavera’).

03/03/2011: Went to ‘Animex Fringe’ (evening of community-made animated films) at Community Theatre – unusual and enjoyable.

04/03/2011: By bus to Linthorpe Cemetery, Middlesbrough, where we met a lovely working horse (a Percheron), there to move felled trees.  He was called ‘Ouragan’ (‘Storm’), and accepted several carrots.  Called at Mima, where saw exhibition illustrating the history of the standing collection, informed by choices of the Mima Apprentices and of friends of the gallery and the public (very interesting, especially the Apprentices’ comments), and another of American drawings from the 60s (interesting, but mostly far too cerebral).

05/03/2011: Took Margaret’s Mum, Doreen, to the Captain Cook Museum (http://www.captcook-ne.co.uk/) in the car.  Found the costume exhibition we had come to see had finished (there is no programme of exhibitions out for this year yet), and they were installing the next, but the kind person in charge allowed us to have a preview look at the fascinating show ‘Easter Island – Myths and Popular Culture’, with images of Moai, etc., from all over the world.   Found the lack of an exhibition programme is because the Museum is threatened with closure due to the Cuts – it seems it will probably close for six months, then reopen, but only on a volunteer-run basis.

13/03/2011: Called at Foxrush Farm, HQ of Saltburn Animal Rescue Society (SARA), where we were installed as Foster Carers for a nice small-to-medium sized mixed breed bitch called Roxy.

26/03/2011: With Doreen and two oil paintings to Staithes Gallery, where Margaret left them for the forthcoming RNLI Benefit Exhibition.

28/03/2011: By car to St John’s Gate, Middlesbrough, where Margaret did a drawing of the church and the road through the trees.

29/03/2011: Tried to get on Margaret’s Website – not available.  Checked with Web Host 123 and found payment had expired, due to a change of Bank Card.  When this had been sorted out, found most of the website pages had disappeared.  We had been intending to revise the site, which is sadly out of date now, and Tom has been doing a course to help with this (at Destinations, the community web café), but this now makes it a matter of some urgency!

February 2011

03/02/2011: To Wynyard Hall (www.wynyardhall.co.uk).  Had tea in the library – a magnificently ornate room displaying the full flowering of Victorian Classicism – and enjoyed both the food and the experience (a Christmas Present from friend Malcolm McGregor).  Margaret has two associations with the place – she exhibited there in a mixed exhibition of Northern Artists in 1988 (see ‘Profile’ page on website), and her grandmother was a stillroom maid there in its grand days before the first world war.

10/02/2010: Loaded 3 oils (including ‘End of Summer’ and ‘World Now’) and four watercolours and to Artco, Leeds.  Building open, and drying out with fans following the burst pipes in the severe weather, but Simon Hester unable to be there.  However, his assistant helped, and we collected six oils and four watercolours.  Carried on to the Water Street Gallery at Todmorden.  Welcomed by Rosemary and Mike Holcroft with coffee and had a long and pleasant chat about art, music, and associated matters.

19/02/2010-26/02/2011: Holiday break in cottage at Ambleside.

28/02/2011: Margaret did a drawing of Station Street, Saltburn, from Signals Café.

January 2011

06/01/2011: Newcastle by train.  Walked to the Baltic, where saw  large and very good exhibition of paintings (with constructed elements) by German artist Anselm Kiefer,  also exhibition of photographic plates (inverted positives)showing views of an Icelandic glacier by Dan Holdsworth, and sculpture and installations by Dirk Bell – very clever, thoughtful work.  To the Laing, where saw a show of images of Newcastle over the years, and another of English artists of the 20th C.  After tea in café, to Newcastle Arts Centre for materials.

13/01/2011: To Whitby, into town via Skinner Street.  Fine sunny day, loose bars of cloud, hazy horizon out to sea.  Saw work by Shirley Fletcher in the Reading Room gallery (www.thereadingroom,biz) at 24a Flowergate.  To the end (as far as one can go) of the East Pier –not in good repair.  Back via the Fish Quay, Khyber Pass and Whalebone Arch.

17/01/2011: To Middlesbrough, where walked under Albert Bridge then along Bridge Street to the new futuristic Middlesbrough College, then right down by the railway for Margaret to sketch a new building going up near the Riverside Sales Office.  Back to the Middlesbrough College building where she did another sketch, then walked to the Dock Clock end of Vulcan Street.

20/01/2010: At ‘Classics at Kirkleatham’ (www.acln56.ukgateway.net/cakl.htm) Concert tonight at Kirkleatham Almshouses Chapel.

21/01/2011: To ArtsBank, Saltburn, with Margaret’s Mum, Doreen, to see their exhibition (including two of Margaret’s paintings – ‘The Doctor’s House’ and ‘Transporter’) celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Middlesbrough Transporter.  Doreen remembered her early days in Middlesbrough, when her Aunt Sarah had a shop selling sweets and newspapers on the Transporter approach road.  Margaret and Tom also remembered their early days exploring Middlesbrough when they walked across the top of the Transporter to get to Port Clarence.

22/01/2011: Walked down sea front steps and along beach to Marske.  Lunch at Ship Inn, then back through village, Quarry Lane roundabout and main road.

29/01/2011: To Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk (www.zillahbellgallery.co.uk), where had a good chat with first Miriam, assistant, then with John Bell, the owner and a friend of many years standing.  Collected oil of cargo ship at Sunderland (‘Valencia’) and left oil of Middlesbrough Town Hall in snow and a watercolour of Commercial Street.

December 2010

05/12/2010: Slight thaw, but still much snow around.

10/12/2010: By train to London (brief break in snow during this trip) – on arrival to the V&A, where saw the huge and wonderful exhibition of ‘Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes, 1909-1929’.

11/12/2010: Called at Messums – had a chat with Chris Day, who kindly gave us a coffee.  Looked at the interesting early 20th.C work on display.   On to the Royal Academy and saw the ‘Glasgow Boys’, then along Oxford Street, and called at St James’ Church to hear a rehearsal of ‘The Messiah’.

12/12/2010: To Courtauld Gallery - saw the whole gallery, starting with medieval art and working up.  Saw exhibition of Degas drawings and another of preparatory works for Cezanne’s ‘Card Players’ series of paintings

13/12/2010: Returned North.

16/12/2010: Very cold again, with sleet coming down, followed by more snow.

27/12/2010: Roads now clear of snow, though plenty still in fields.

November 2010

04/11/2010: To Artco Gallery, Leeds.  Delivered three watercolours and eleven oil paintings – Margaret had a long chat with Simon Hester, the owner.  Enjoyed looking at the wide range of work exhibited.

06/11/2010: E-mail received today from Steven Swallow, who has bought ‘The Settlement’ from Water Street Gallery, and who is really enthusiastic.

09/11/2010: Circulated e-mails re forthcoming exhibitions at Artco, Leeds, and at Water Street Gallery, Todmorden.

20/11/2010: Drove to Todmorden for the opening of the Water Street Gallery Christmas Exhibition.  Had a long talk with Rosemary and Mike Holcroft, gallery owners, Chris and Paul Czainski (fellow-artists who also exhibit at the Staithes Gallery, and who have bought many of Margaret’s paintings in the past), and Steven Swallow and his family, who came from their home in Cumbria,  Margaret bought one of Paul Czainski’s prints (a very witty drypoint – ‘Environmental Concerns’). 

24/11/2010: The start of the great November snowfall!

October 2010

01/10/2010: Drove to Zillah Bell Gallery and left 2 oils, taking back 5 watercolours.  Margaret had a chat with Miriam.  Looked at Peter & Lesley Hicks’ exhibition.  Called at Saltburn Gallery on our return to see Peter Hick’s exhibition there – a very impressive show, with much interesting new work.

02/10/2010: Walk up Quarry Lane and via bridle path to Upleatham, then up on to Upleatham Moor and round the edge, getting a fine distant view of Saltburn from above the quarry.  Round to path leading down to New Marske, and via old mine railway trackbed back to Quarry Lane.

14/10/2010: With 3 oils & 3 watercolours to Water Street Gallery, Todmorden.  On arrival had a good long talk with Rosemary & Mike Holcroft and a look round the new gallery.

23/10/2010-30/10/2010: Stayed at Llingwrill, a little village near Tywyn, for a week’s holiday.  Visited Tom’s cousin Philip and his wife Margaret, who live deep in the countryside south of Aberystwyth.  They took us to Llangranog, a small coastal village, as deep-set and precipitous of access as Staithes, and we walked along the vertiginous cliff path to get spectacular views of the Ynys Lochtyn peninsula. Called at Tywyn to visit the church, which has a stone carved with the oldest extant written Welsh.  Visited the Alternative Energy Centre near Corris, and  called at Barmouth – a charming old seaside town with many beautiful, but in a sad state of decline.  Spent most of one day in Portmeirion, drinking in the slightly crazy but most persuasive Hugh Clough Ellis atmosphere.  Inevitably had a ride along the entire length of the Tallylyn Raiway – concluded that if only the national railway network were run with the same concern, we could all dispense with cars.  Bought books in the ‘Town and Gown’ Tea and Book Shop on Tywyn seafront.  Visited the ancient church, perched on the cliffs at Llangelynin, where you can hear the sea from inside the church, and there is still an ancient hand bier, formerly used to carry the body for burial.  Walked around Aberdovey, and climbed up behind the town to get marvelous views over the estuary and harbour.  Drove up the Corris Gorge to Corris village and then the craft centre – ingenious octagonal ‘craft lodges’, but no work that inspired us – then via Tallylyn Lake, Abergynolwyn, Bird Rock and the Afon Dysynni valley – a strange and atmospheric location.  Returned home over the Pennines.

September 2010

02/09/2010: Visit to Ann Petherick’s Kentmere House Gallery at York to collect 3 oils and 6 watercolours.  Returned via Kirkbymoorside, visiting the Summit Bookshop, then via Gillamoor, Farndale & Castleton.

03/09/2010: To Sandsend and had coffee at the new Woodlands Restaurant in the East Valley.  On to Whitby, and had lunch in Botham’s upper restaurant.  Down Flowergate, looking at the Reading Room Gallery under the Resolution Hotel, and enjoying Shirley Fletcher’s hilarious nudes.  To the Parkol Shipyard and admired their latest hull – a large yacht with an elegant counter stern.  Up Horse Lane to the Ropewalk, along the path to St Mary’s and sat in the churchyard at the edge of the cliff.  Down to Henrietta Street, where found Fortune’s open and got 3 kippers.

04/09/2010: Took Margaret’s mum, Doreen, to Sandsend, and had coffee in the Woodlands Restaurant again.  A beautiful day; the views en route charming.

06/09/2010: Margaret to Middlesbrough by train for sketching trip.

09/09/2010: To Middlesbrough by bus, and had a tour behind the scenes at Middlesbrough Archives (part of Heritage Week).

16/09/2010: Attended Open Day at Platform Arts, Middlesbrough Railway Station.

20/09/2010: Margaret to Middlesbrough, sketching in Albert Park.

25/09/2010: To Staithes - delivered 2 oils to Al Milnes at the Staithes Gallery and took back 1 oil and 2 watercolours.  They have a range of good work by a very good selection of artists at present.

August 2010

06/08/2010-07/08/2010: Short break at Richmond, where we booked an overnight room near the old railway station.  Called in at the station – now a cultural center – and saw their interesting ‘Spot on the Wall’ Exhibition.  Walked a couple of times along the river bank and former railway track to Easby village and by the footpath along the river bank to Richmond - second time went into Abbey for a look round, also looked at old church next door for very fine and well preserved early wall paintings and small but beautiful stained glass inserts in East window..  Looked round galleries in town – admired prints by John Degnan & Piers Browne.  Explored secret garden behind Millgate House.  Dinner at ‘Rustique’ (recommended).  Saw Caroline Hudson’s gallery in the market place, and bought a spectacular blue tile and copper wall hanging ‘Moroccan Pathway’.  Drove back via idyllic country roads.

10/08/2010: With friends Liz & Martin Long to the Tall Ships festival at Hartlepool.  Loved the traditional sailing craft, but sea-going ships like the ‘Kristian Radich’ were most impressive.  Picnic lunch, then looked at the range of international food stores; finally saw the first ships being worked out of harbour by tug boats.  On return home could see the whole fleet of sailing ships out at sea from Saltburn cliff top – sails clustering all up the coast towards Sunderland.

13/08/2010: Train to Newcastle, where saw exhibition of small portraits and another of paintings by Jean Moore at the Baring Wing University Gallery – very fine stuff indeed.  On to the Laing Gallery to see an exhibition of Japanese prints, illustrations & artifacts, including much wonderful work by Hokusai, and  the related exhibition of modern works (felt this too much ’in the head’ to enjoy).

20/08/2010-21/08/2010: Short break in the dales - to Leeming Bar, where lunched in the Wensleydale Railway restaurant car before going to Redmire and back.  Later to Leyburn and spent the night at the Black Swan Hotel.  After a morning walk round Leyburn and coffee, drove on up Wensleydale, then took the B6160, over the pass & down Upper Wharfedale.  At Grassington took the B6265 on to the moor beneath Simon Seat to Parcevall Hall.  Walked twice over the gardens - very steep, full of surprise corners and stunning views.  Home via Pately Bridge and Ripon.

27/08/2010: To Middlesbrough by train to sketch at the junction of Albert Road & Wilson Street.  Called at TS1 Gallery – then to Mima for the exhibition ‘Railway Mania’.  Also looked at the woodcuts by Viva .Talbot.  Went on to the 2nd Pop-Up Gallery in Linthorpe Road.

July 2010

01/07/2010: Drove with 6 oil paintings to Water Street Gallery, Todmorden, and were made very welcome by Rosemary & Mike Holcroft, who are developing a gallery in Water Street, near the canal

05/07/2010: E-mails to Rosemary Holcroft with information re the paintings we took through on 01/07/2010, and background on Margaret.

12/07/2010: Walked to Quarry Lane (near Marske) and along the old mine railway trackbed through Errington Woods, then down the old incline into New Marske and via Longbeck Road to the ‘Mermaid’ for lunch.  Returned through Marsk, Windy Hill Lane, and Allotments.

15/07/2010: Attended Piano Recital at Kirkleatham Almshouses Chapel.

17/07/2010: Visited Whitby to have afternoon tea at Botham’s in Skinner Street.  Walked on over swing bridge and along Church Street, past Parkol Marine, over the new road bridge, then by Bog Hall, Fishburn Park and Prospect Hill to the car at White Point via Stakesby Vale, Sneaton Castle Farm and Love Lane.

18/07/2010: Took Margaret’s Mum, Doreen, to Mulgrave Castle gardens, which were open for charity, and had a wander round the beautiful walled gardens before tea in the stable block.

29/07/2010: Margaret sketching in MIddlesbrough, visiting three ‘Pop-up Galleries’.  She did background sketches as references for work in progress and noted sites for future sketching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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