We are a few days into our show featuring the work of Sheila Clarkson and Lara Scobie.

I enjoy very much Sheila’s depictions of Abbot’s pool – light dappled by branches falling on the water; the hogweed and lily pads. It is very familiar, as on most of these gorgeous summer evenings I try to get down to the sluggish river Avon to enjoy the last of the daylight. With Avoncliff’s picturesque railway station nearby it puts me in mind of the portentous words of Edward Thomas (written in 1914):

Yes. I remember Adlestrop—
The name, because one afternoon
Of heat the express-train drew up there
Unwontedly. It was late June.

The steam hissed. Someone cleared his throat.
No one left and no one came
On the bare platform. What I saw
Was Adlestrop—only the name

And willows, willow-herb, and grass,
And meadowsweet, and haycocks dry,
No whit less still and lonely fair
Than the high cloudlets in the sky.

And for that minute a blackbird sang
Close by, and round him, mistier,
Farther and farther, all the birds
Of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.

Lara Scobie’s graphic and colourful ceramics are a contrast to Sheila’s mainly monotone palette.
Rich coloured glazes complement sgrafitto and mark-making on the smooth surface of the parian clay.

It is great to see so many people in town and the rugby is also starting up with supporters this weekend.
Hopefully it will coincide with a much needed win for Bath…..

And finally, looking towards Avoncliff…..

This is the time to be slow,
Lie low to the wall
Until the bitter weather passes.

Try, as best you can, not to let
The wire brush of doubt
Scrape from your heart
All sense of yourself
And your hesitant light.

If you remain generous,
Time will come good;
And you will find your feet
Again on fresh pastures of promise,
Where the air will be kind
And blushed with beginning.

(-John O’Donohue)

Thank you for reading.

Aidan