ANNUAL ARTISTS OUTING TO CHRISTCHURCH – THURSDAY 29TH JULY 2021 Bill Phillips was determined that yet another traditional event, the Artists Outing, would not fall foul of the pandemic, and bravely hired a Turners coach and set about filling it. When the day came, there were 28 of us on board, 15 men and 13 ladies, and at 9am off we went to Christchurch in Dorset. The customary meeting point is Park Row, but only Paul Main got on there; everyone else was on Saville Road on The Downs (the preponderance of membership who are clustered in and around BS9 had struck again, supported by most others!). Steve, our driver, offered the choice of the express route (the infinitely tedious M4, A34, M3, etc) or the scenic route via Bath, Limpley Stoke, Warminster and Salisbury; the wise choice was selected, both there and back, although it did rather reduce our total time at our charming destination. Sadly, there were only two Red Feathers on board (what “Artists Outing?” I hear you say), but fear not, there were at least six of us sketching, including two ladies, and some very good paintings emerged, including as usual some multiple efforts by Bill; and there was scarcely even the usual two hours available on a Wednesday evening! We had been warned by Bill that we would not be stopping on the way home for the customary meat and/or fish pie served in the skittle alley of some unwelcoming roadside pub. This was because there was no need for the usual ceremony of the unveiling of the new President, as the selection process has changed now we are Bristol 1904 Arts. Therefore, as we would have only one meal in a long twelve-hour day, the first mission on arrival in Christchurch had to be to locate some good restaurants, and the charming little town did not disappoint. There were some celebrity chefs, and generally several good eateries which were enough to spread our large number comfortably around the town. Then some sketching really did have to happen in the beautiful sunshine, and benches along the riverside walks provided the perfect locations (although some sat on the grass). For the rest of us, there were numerous photo opportunities along those delightful leafy riverside walks and in many nooks and crannies of the town. First, right in the centre of town, there was the magnificent Priory, which is the longest Parish Church in England, with a 4,500-pipe organ and a wealth of history portrayed on its wall plaques. For over 900 years, with various additions over the centuries, it has stood like a beacon by the sea. There was also once a fine castle dominating the town, although it originated in 924AD as just a wooden fort. It was destroyed by the Parliamentarian Army in the Civil War, but there are some fascinating Norman remains. A plaque proclaims that back in long-past days King John visited the thenvillage ten times, although it did not make clear what was the particular attraction for him. The present day tranquil charm of this quaint Dorset town, combined with all the boats, did at least show why we were there on this late July day in 2021. Further exploration revealed the Anglo-Saxon Place Mill, a watermill mentioned in the Doomsday Book, curiously taking water from the River Avon and spilling it later along its millstream into another river, the Stour. Then there was the fascinating replica of the Ducking Stool sited by the river behind The Kings Arms, and various references in place and pub names to the prime source of the town’s wealth in the 18th-19th Centuries – smuggling! On the nearby cliffs, there is Highcliffe Castle, a Grade 1 listed mansion which would have well merited a visit if there had been more time, and so was marked down by many for their return visit. Meanwhile another traditional event had been successfully retrieved and revived from the ravages of the pandemic. Robert Dawes 28
grouse-2021_text_a4_05_dec-21.indd 28
17/12/2021 16:18
