There was a very good turn out for this late Summer visit to one of the Guild’s regular Midlands’ venues, the Newark Air Museum.
After coffee and a briefing from Nigel, as usual we were allowed to roam freely across the site to look for suitable subjects to sketch. I had not been to the museum for a couple of years and I was really impressed by all the work that has been done to the site and the exhibits. Of particular interest was the freshly refurbished Gannet AEW (HMS Eagle) which looked splendid.
The weather was mild, slightly overcast with the occasional spells of sunshine, finished off with an intermittent faint odour carried on the breeze of some freshly spread manure from a nearby field! Many artists therefore chose to sketch outside.
As usual, the day sped by too quickly and it was soon time to meet up for the ‘crit’, undertaken by Robert and David Calow with their usual helpful and insightful comments and advice.
So ended a great day of sketching at one of the Midland’s favourite venues. We all packed-up and headed off into the sunset.
Many thanks to Nigel Morris and local Guild Associate and Museum member Brian Ward for organising our visit and facilitating the day’s meeting.
We were also kept well watered with coffee, tea and a wonderful selection of cakes provided by Brian and his wife Moira in the Dam Busters Hut. Thanks also, of course, to the Newark Museum team for making us so welcome. I can’t wait to go back! If you are ever in the area, Newark Air Museum is well worth a visit.

Grahame Witts