News

Nature of Farming Award 2009 – Eastern England

This year we won the Nature of Farming Award for the East of England for the work we are doing here on the farm for wildlife. The competition is run by the RSPB, Countryfile, Butterfly Conservation and Plantlife and we were delighted to win for our area.

In 2010 we will be hosting several bird watching courses with the RSPB and also taking groups of farmers and other interested parties around the farm to see the various schemes and improvements we have made to help benefit our local flora and fauna. This includes grass and wildflower strips around most of our fields, a lapwing plot, certain fields left fallow or over-wintered, more bird boxes being erected and hedgerow management schemes etc.

We have introduced a few new courses to celebrate this achievement to appeal to those of you who are keen birders as well as painters. These include two with Brin Edwards – see below, and David Webb who will be taking people out to bird watch and sketch at the same time.

New Tutors

We are very pleased to have six new tutors joining us at Watershed in 2010.

Brin Edwards SWLA - A professional wildlife illustrator – a professional wildlife artist and illustrator, Brin will be demonstrating and discussing various draing and painting techniques that are most suitable for field observation. Each day will include a mixture of field sketching around the studio and farm as well as studio work. All levels of ability will be catered for and beginners are most welcome. You will need basic sketching and painting materials and plenty of enthusiasm!

Hashim Akib – SAA Artist of the Year 2009 – his courses are already full this year!
Kay Elliott – Paints large and loose watercolour flowers – also full!
Karen Jones – An illustrator with an original and quirky style
Ray Balkwill – Needs very little introduction, coming here from Dedham Hall on his way back to Devon! Full too.
Roy Lang – SAA Artist of the Year 2000 and 2003 – wonderful seascapes full of atmosphere and drama.

We are also welcoming back after a break in 2009 Ian King, John Shave and Sue Williams which we are delighted about. More details on Courses and Tutors.