Like a lot of good things, the wonderful art class at the Fountain Centre in Guildford came to an end at Easter. The teacher had done a great job not only of guiding us over a year or more in producing pieces both amazing and strange, but also in having our work exhibited in a small art show in Guildford's Royal Surrey Hospital.
But as one door closes another opens.
I found another art class at a support centre much closer to home, the South East Cancer Help Centre in Purley. A short bicycle ride from home.
And what an art class it is!!
Diametrically opposite to the class at the Fountain Centre, but equally as inspirational and supportive. I think you'd have to attend both to understand how.

Malcolm is one of the students.
"I'm looking for a bike I can ride on the roads," he told me. "I've one in the garage but it's an old collector's classic, pre-War French and not registered for the roads here."
"What do you fancy?" I asked.
"A good BSA Bantam. I used to race those."
"You raced Bantams!" say I. "With the Bantam Racing Club?"
"That's right," says Malcolm.
"And the British Formula Club?" I enquire.
"Yep, back in the 1960s to early 70s."
"Well! Me too. On a Honda, then a Norton Commando. Do you remember at Snetterton when ....??"
"I certainly do, then at Lydden there was ....." replied Malcolm.
".............. .........?"
"......................................"
".......... ......... ......!"
From then on, not much art has been done .........
But so what??

This support centre runs a lot of local visits and outside activities. Those that I've tried have been pretty entertaining.

An old bluebell wood on the way to Edenbridge, that kept us busy for an afternoon before retiring to a hostelry in Oxted.

About eight cars set off from Purley, not all being very sure of exactly where the obscure carpark was.
Six arrived more-or-less together. The seventh some time later, they'd been looking for the eighth, which never arrived. Various mobile phones were used to try to make contact, but out in the country there was hardly any service. It sounded, through the breaks and crackles, like they were halfway to Dover...
Malcolm was in that car - he assured us later that they did arrive and explored the carpets of blue a short while after the rest of us.

The S.E. Cancer Help Centre celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. One of the many events to mark it is the "String Of Pearls" arts and crafts exhibition in the Fairfield Halls in Croydon.

Well, four of my pieces were accepted for hanging.
Two just happened to be hung under the watchful eyes of a very young H.M. Queen Mum.

(The two large and strange items in wide white borders)

And one at the right of the stairs.

(Top right-hand corner - it's been in this blog before - my take on the London 2012 stadium)

And display boards showing some of the dozens of projects and activities undertaken by volunteers and members.

From drama, choir and Christmas events with the Mayor of Croydon, to the visit of Prince Charles a few years ago.

Now, must see if I can find a BSA Bantam somewhere so Malcolm can ride to next year's HUBB UK meeting....