Support your secret garden!

‘Secret Artist’ is a fundraiser for Stroud’s very own Secret Garden, an 18th century Walled Garden hidden away behind the Museum in the beautiful grounds of Stratford Park. As work continues on opening up the garden , so does fundraising for this exciting project. ‘Secret Artist’ offers you a chance to acquire an affordable work of art on a postcard, as well as supporting a good cause at the same time.

Talented local artists and art students from Stroud School of Art are busy creating beautiful works of art for this special weekend exhibition. Rumour has it that there will once again be an eclectic and fascinating display of postcards adorning the walls of Gallery 2, textiles and photography as well as drawings and paintings, perhaps even mosaics and jewellery too.

The first Secret Artist postcard received this year came from award winning, internationally acclaimed illustrator and graphic designer Tony Meeuwissen. Tony Meeuwissen has lived in the Stroud hills and valleys for over 30 years. From album covers to Penguin book jackets, Royal Mail stamps to award winning books, his intricate and witty designs have delighted us for decades. His V&A commissioned playing cards ‘The Key to the Kingdom’ won him the WHSmith illustration award, and his Weather postage stamps were voted 'best loved stamps' of 2001 … the person who’s lucky enough to win Tony’s work is very, very lucky indeed!

So how does ‘Secret Artist’ work exactly? As the name suggests its something of a mystery … Art lovers and Museum visitors are invited to help raise much-needed funds for the Garden by coming along to the Museum on 16 and 17 November and buying a ‘Secret Artist ticket’ for £15 before they run out. Each ticket entitles you to one postcard … but you won’t know which one until a week later when you come to collect it or when you receive your card by post!

… do save the dates, share the secret and support your local Museum! 

Contact for further information  Abigail Large, Museum Administrator, tel: 01453 763394 email abigail.large@stroud.gov.uk

Detail of the 18^th Century ornamental Walled Garden gate  © Steve Russell

Walled Garden teasels  © Dave Cockcroft 

Basket case

There as another basket making day at Stroud Brewery on Sunday 8th December 10am - 4pm. It is open to all. Older/patient children can come with an adult, age 10ish and above. If you're interested, the teacher, Kamar, will show you how to make a Christmas hamper basket using different coloured willow. Bring a woolly jumper in case it's chilly. Also please bring a simple dish to share for lunch. These days usually book up quickly so please email jadebashford@hotmail.com to let her know if you would like a place. The cost is £35 per person including materials. If you book and can't come you will still be asked to pay or to find someone to come instead of you. Here's the basket I made on the last course - it's about 24 ins in diameter and is utterly fab!

Fix it for free!

Now here's a clever recycle/upcycle idea...this is a very different kind of workshop.  Based on the Repair Café movement in Holland, the aim is to fix or repair any garment or electrical/mechanical device you can get to the café – for free! Hosted by Lee Townsend at the Lockkeepers Café, there will be experienced engineers and sewing/machining volunteers from Transition Stroud to try to fix whatever you bring. You get it fixed (hopefully)  - and for free, the planet benefits as you don’t have to buy a new one and we all have a relaxing time over a coffee at your local café.

Date: Sunday October 20th

Time: 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Venue: Lockkeepers Cafe, Wallbridge, Stroud

Cost: Just buy a cup of coffee!

Best to book a slot to let us know if you have clothes to be mended or mechanical/electrical goods to be fixed.  So email: erik.w@virgin.net - or ring 07725 900666