Mayor Opens First Art Show At Home

Mayor of Wells, Tony Robbins, donned his chain of office and a sturdy pair of work boots to open the first Fletcher House Art Exhibition.

Mr Robbins braved snow and ice to make it on time and to present volunteer art teacher and organiser, Glenda Maynard with a large bouquet of flowers.

“We were so thrilled that the Mayor turned up as scheduled, we really thought he would have to cancel”, said Carol Mohide, Manager of Fletcher House.

Run by Somerset Care, Fletcher House provides 24-hour residential care for 58, mostly elderly, men and women.

Earlier this year, Glenda, who is a member of Radstock-based ‘Old Bakery Artists’, (www.oldbakeryartists.co.uk), and a familiar face at local retailer, Swan Stationers in Wells, volunteered to organise art classes for residents.

“The classes have been very popular, and have really enhanced the lives of residents. Glenda and the staff at Fletcher House were so impressed by the standard of the paintings produced that we felt we had to have an exhibition to show relatives what our residents had achieved.

Many of our residents had not picked up a paint brush since they were at school and had very little confidence that painting was something they could still do”, said Deputy Manager, Pippa James.

Although Glenda provides her time free of charge, several sponsors had helped defray the costs of the exhibition.

St Cuthbert’s Mill in Wookey Hole supplied high quality art paper for the classes, Pricelis Art in Holcombe provided mounts for the paintings and St Andrew’s Press in Wells printed invitations for the exhibition.

Somerset Care Chief Executive Andrew Larpent OBE was so impressed with the work when he visited the exhibition that he now wants to offer art classes in other Somerset Care homes too.