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Formby Civic Society is a registered Charity (No. 516789)

The Annual Open Air Exhibition held on 25 June, was also Civic Day, and tied in with the Schools Painting Competition. Members had been asked to provide as many paintings of local interest as possible and there  were about thirty of these, plus mugs, irons and cards, depicting local views. Over 100 paintings were on view and as usual attracted a lot of interest from passers-by some of whom purchased items. Members of the group were on duty all day and for this I thank you. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. It is the highlight of our year.

Was this our last Exhibition, after more than 50 years? As you know, I stood down as Art Secretary at the recent AGM but agreed to stay on until the Exhibition, which was a special one this year and no-one had come forward at that time to take my place. I have filled this role for 19 years and we need new blood. To date no-one else has come forward so there is no programme of events for the Art Group at this time. We need someone to arrange a monthly meeting, run the Exhibition and report back to the Committee.

Unfortunately as with the Society in general, we need some new young members. We are only a small group - it has always been so. Even when I was first in the Society in my twenties and we met at Miss Thomson's house we never had more than twenty members, if that. Since that time the successful Association of Formby Artists was formed - all our members belong to that too and they have been very helpful to us over the years. They have a membership of 100 and are therefore able to achieve things that we cannot attempt . There are also several art classes attached to the U3A, including an Art Appreciation Group. However, we have had very successful artists in the Group and achieved a lot over the years. Unfortunately current members all have other interests and commitments - some looking after grandchildren - and it is difficult to arrange dates to meet that suit.

• Does the Group continue ?
• Are you mainly interested in the Exhibition?
• Would you like to put items on our now well established website or illustrate our Magazine?
• Should we have more contact with art students at our local schools?
• Could you arrange a coach trip to a Gallery or Exhibition - open to all ?
• Would you like a Modern Art Exhibition? - This was tried about 18 years ago - unfortunately entries were thin on the ground - but times change.
• Would you like a sketching weekend - we had several of these in the Lake District - enjoyed by all.

Before the Group is disbanded, it would probably be helpful to have a general meeting, to see what the members want and what they feel they could undertake.

I am no longer Art Representative but I would help any one or group of people who would like to see the Group continue