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New Blackmore Vale, 24 June 2022
blackmorevale.net
Arts & Entertainment
River’s story told in pictures Award-winning Shaftesbury artist Gary Cook is exhibiting in a solo show, ‘Wend: the Stour from Source to Sea’, at The Art Stable, Child Okeford. After training at the Arts University Bournemouth, Gary became senior artist and associate editor at The Sunday Times for the next 25 years, working on major news stories with leading journalists such as Marie Colvin and Jon Swain. Now he is a full-time painter belonging to the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, as well as The Arborealists, a group of artists which give nature, trees, forests and woods a special place in their work. Gary has created 30 watercolours to celebrate the River Stour’s 61-mile journey from its source to the English Channel. “The river strikes a chord with a great many people,” said Gary. “Only through researching the project did I realise why the wonderful
Gary Cook has created 30 watercolours celebrating the River Stour.
Stourhead estate is so called – it marks the spot where the river starts. “As it wends through Dorset, many villages are named in its honour: West Stour, Stourpaine, Stourton, Stour Provost, Sturminster Newton, illustrating how our ancestors instinctively appreciated its vital role in our
lives. “I’ve painted its twisting course as it falls 750ft from where it bubbles up as a stream that you can walk over in Wiltshire to the 200ft-wide flowing force that joins the sea at Christchurch Harbour, showcasing its beauty and its environmental importance.
“There are 48 tributaries that make up the 781 miles of rivers and streams feeding the river which have given me many beautiful views to set my easel up at. “Through lots of research, it’s sad to register how the river has changed. For example, salmon were once so plentiful that, until the 1960s, fishermen hand-hauled nets in Christchurch Harbour and that even 30 miles up the river a 40lb salmon was caught. Fisherman’s tale? Maybe, but it’s unimaginable that a fish of that size could be caught there today.” Gary’s paintings in the show include silhouettes and names of the many species of trees he sees that are dependent on the river and sadly threatened by pollution. Gary Cook’s Wend: the Stour from source to sea is at The Art Stable, Child Okeford DT11 8HB until July 9, Thursday to Saturday.
Although it is not currently a legal requirement, please consider wearing a face covering to protect yourself and others when visiting the Tivoli.
Made To Measure Productions present
AVENUE Q
GEORGE MICHAEL:
FREEDOM UNCUT (SCREENING)
(Parental Guidance advised)
PLEA S KE E CHEC EP KI OUR NG WEBS ITE
KING RICHARD (12A)
22nd-25th June 7.30pm. Matinee Sat 25th June 2.30pm Tickets £22, £20 concs
Monday 27th June 7pm Tickets £16.50 £15 concs
Tuesday 28th June 2.30pm & 7.30pm Tickets £8 eve, £7 Matinee, £6 U16s
(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee)
(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee)
(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee)
Project Play presents:
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES Monday 4th July – Friday 8th July 7.30pm Tickets £17.50 (1 in 10 free via Box Office)
(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee)
BARRY STEELE:
ROY ORBISON & FRIENDS
MATT BLACK & Special Guest Jax Hall (“Inspired by Adele”)
85th Anniversary Tour
Saturday 9th July 7.30pm Tickets £25 (Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee)
Thursday 14th July 7.30pm Tickets £15
(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee)
DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA (PG)
29th & 30th June 7.30pm Mats 30th June & 1st July 2.30pm Tickets £8 evening £7 mats U16s £6
RABBIT, RABBIT:
A Tribute to Chas & Dave
Sunday 2nd July 7.30pm Tickets £25
(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee)
(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee)
YOU WIN AGAIN:
THE ULTIMATE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW
Celebrating the Music of the Bee Gees
ETS ST! K C FA TI NG Friday LI 15th July 7.30pm SEL Tickets £25
(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee)
Saturday 16th July 7.30pm Tickets £25 (Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee)
