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
A big thank you to everyone who sent in entries for the 2011 Arlington Bluebell Walk Photographic Competition. The prize winners are now displayed on the website on the gallery page.
Class A Winners
Class B Winners
Class C Winners
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
The 2010 Arlington Bluebell Walk & Farm Trail
The weather conditions this year made it very difficult to manage and on looking back to 2009 we did not at that time appreciate how fortunate we had been.
We have to start planning the dates we hope to open in December/January, to give time to the participating charities to organize their volunteers and resources, but we were not anticipating that 2010 will be remembered for having one of the coldest and longest winters for many years, The day before the publicity brochures were to be printed, it became apparent that we would have to delay the start date by a week and therefore extend the closing date by a week, very much the right decision, but in hindsight we should have made it two weeks at either end! The bluebells did not really appear until early May as the persistent cold east winds and frosts delayed all growing plants in Beatons Wood and grass on the farms.
Visitors had many favourable comments on the spectacular white swathes of the wood anemones against the green leaves of the emerging bluebells, but it was only in the last week we were open that the bluebells really looked at their best. This year as we were open for an extra week we had eighteen charities involved and between them they raised £35,493, quite a significant figure in spite of visitor numbers being down, due to poor weather every Sunday, except for the last one. It was great to welcome back Friend s of Park Mead School, Eastbourne Samaritans, Wealden Citizens Advice Bureaux, Eastbourne Branch of the R.N.L.I., and for the first time Demelza Hospice Care for Children.
This year we introduced a childrens quiz comprising of three different competitions based on the Blue, Green and White Walks, the answers all to be found in the text on the many panels around these walks which we positioned so that young children and those in wheel chairs can easily read. It has been an encouraging start as over 100 children participated, hopefully in the process learning more about the flora & fauna described. We are indebted to Scats Country Stores for sponsoring the printing and the NFU for providing the prizes.
Another innovation was ‘Paint me a Bluebell’ Art Competition organized by Josie Tipler. Paintings from the 2009 Walk where displayed, the public being asked to judge the winning ones from each class. Winners will be announced at the Arlington Art & Craft Festival at the end of June, organized by the Arlington Arts Group.
Henry McCutchan’s canvas shelter fitted in so perfectly at the beginning of the Millenium Avenue where he was seen practising his ‘bodging’ skills. He displayed the various wooden items made using his foot powered pole lathe, which all created much interest and discussion.
We have had many entries for this the second Photographic Competition, which as they will be judged early next month are still to be opened, so we are looking forward to that with great anticipation. The overall winner will have their image on the front of the 2011 publicity leaflet.
We continue to make a determined effort to attract more of the less mobile and elderly visitors, by increasing the parking spaces for the disabled and the provision of more mobility scooters, so giving a degree of independence in being able to get around and enjoy Beatons Wood. We are delighted with the increased numbers who use these scooters, with over 220 visitors this year availing themselves of this facility.
We are indebted to our two neighbours Andrew Johnston and Peter Appleton who allow access to their farms, which gives so much added interest to our visitors, and this is so visibly demonstrated by seeing how well those paths are used, reinforced by the many favourable comments both verbally and on our comment cards.
The Bluebell Walk first opened in 1972 and has altered out of all recognition from those early years. We appear to have a formula in which local charities can raise funds and their profile, whilst allowing visitors to view and learn about our lovely countryside and farming methods, so any future changes must be minimal. No matter what work, effort and planning is entailed, we just have to keep our fingers crossed, that for next year and subsequent one that the weather will sometimes be on our side!
John McCutchan
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
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.
A summary of this year’s Walk is published on www.bluebellwalk.co.uk under Past Years Summaries.
I will be going through the comment cards so many of you kindly completed. I will try and aswer the questions that were asked, so watch this space!
The 2008 Bluebell Walk is now over and thanks to all visitors, charities involved and of course the sunny weather at the end, which made it an excellent season.
We thank all those who kindly completed the new design comment cards. I am answering many individually, but will publish a synopsis of the main points raised and our response.
A request from Action Medical Research who organize their second hand book room during the Bluebell Walk. They need more non fiction and childrens’ books, to build up stocks for their 2009 opening. Please deliver to Bates Green Farm. Queries phone 01323 485151.
The four motorized scooter/buggies we offer to those less able bodied to travel on the Blue Walk, become more and more popular. We would like to have more, so if any kind soul would like to donate one in good working order, it would be appreciated. We can arrange collection please phone 01323 485151.