Details of this year’s art competition run by Arlington Arts Group have just been announced.
Entries are invited on the theme “Paint me a Bluebell”. You have until March 31st 2012 to submit your artwork. The winners are then selected by visitors to the Bluebell Walk where copies of the work will be on display.
So, get those creative juices flowing 
Full details on the Arlington Arts Group Blog
Again this year visitors to the Bluebell Walk will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite entries in the art competition run by Arlington Arts Group. This year’s theme was “Spring Woodland” and photographs of the entries will be on display in the Animal Barn. More details can be found on the Arlington Arts Group Blog
Sorry it has taken so long to judge the 130 entries. We were so impressed with the quality of entries that after selecting the winner and runner up of each class we then chose six to publish on the website as ‘Commended’.
The winner and runner up of each of the three classes will receive their prizes and certificates, with certificates sent to the ‘Commended’ entries.
We also highlighted four entries as ‘Imaginative!’ so will have that title as an extra class for 2011.
The photos as shown in the Gallery will be prominently displayed at the 2011 Arlington Bluebell Walk for all to admire. The care and trouble so many took in compiling, printing and ensuring that we received them in tip top condition we felt should not go unrecognized, so all other entries submitted will be in a loose leaf binder adjacent to the displayed ones, unless of course you contact me to ask that your entry is not shown.
Thank you all for entering and please do so again for next year.
John McCutchan & others
A new sight at the Bluebell Walk this weekend is that of the bodger. A traditional craft of the 19th century, carried out within the wood itself, bodging is the process of turning legs, spindles and stretchers for chairs.
The bodger used a springpole lathe to turn the wood, so named because it utilised the branch or pole of a sapling as a spring attached to a rope worked by a foot treadle. In a makeshift shelter or hovel he would split and then shape the wood on a shavehorse before turning on the lathe.
Demonstration of bodging
You can see Henry working the pole lathe on the approach to the bluebells in Beaton’s Wood.
This year we have formulated a pack that has three competitions based on the Blue Walk, White Walk & Green Walk’s various notices. Enter one, two or three quizzes dependent on which Walks you travel.
The printing has kindly been sponsored by SCATS Countrystores and prizes supplied by the National Farmers Union (NFU).
Collect your quiz sheet from the Animal Barn when you next visit and give it a go!
During opening times of this year’s Bluebell Walk there will be an art exhibition held in the barn.
Artists were invited to create an original piece of artwork inspired by bluebells. Photographs of their work will be on display and are to be judged by visitors to the Bluebell Walk. You can view all works and may even be tempted to create your own work of art for entry in next year’s Bluebell Painting competition.
So come along and vote for your favourites. There are 4 categories: Under 16’s, Amateur, Professional and Over 65s.
The exhibition is only open when the refreshments barn is open and visitors must pay the usual entrance fee. See the main bluebell walk website for more details.
The Competition is run by Arlington ART Group and is sponsored by SAA (Society of All Artists), Jacksons Art Supplies and Derwent.