Local Features

The Merton Arts Trail kicked off with a launch party

Buzzing with the good and great of Merton, courtesy of Cannizaro House, the first of two weekends of Open House also began what is hoped will be an annual event: organisers Wendy Bliss and Chrissie Craig found the standard of work on show to be of a very high standard. "I have sold two paintings in the first morning' said Alison Price of Ashen Grove, and Ian Southwood of Queens Road claimed to be 'almost overwhelmed with viewers' on his first afternoon.
Andrew Aarons of Phipps Bridge Studios said, 'We have had more visitors on Saturday than we would normally have in an entire weekend of showing. This has been a remarkably effective open studio. I'm very pleased with the increased numbers over previous years and also that the people who came were genuinely interested in what we are doing.'

Marcus Beale, sponsor of M A T and the 'Post Script' art exhibition in the Chapter House at Merton Priory was absolutely delighted with curators Wendy Bliss & Sue Evans for organising such a fantastic series of installations by 10 artists. He said it made the place come alive like he had never seen before. Hundreds of visitors poured through the doors, and it became apparent, as Steve Hammond talked to residents, that there is a deep-seated passion for Merton's important historic site.

The festival of the Merton Arts Trail will be continuing right across next weekend, so visit the website for details of all the artists opening their doors to visitors. You can get a catalogue in any of the libraries, or view / download a catalogue at www.mertonartstrail.org.uk . What better way of spending an autumnal weekend with the family, popping in and out of venues to look at art with the artist present ? Beat that, Tate Modern !

(Pictured: Ricards Lodge GCSE Art Students)!

 

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Caroline’s confidence boost at Centre Court shopping centre

A cancer patient who took centre stage in a fashion show at Wimbledon Centre Court Shopping Centre says she found the experience a massive confidence boost.

Caroline Martin didn’t tell friends and extended family she had won the centre’s  Search for a Catwalk Star competition, instead choosing to just share the experience with her mum, Amy.

Caroline, 31, from Stoneleigh, strutted her stuff as part of the Centre’s autumn/winter fashion event after organisers appealed for an aspiring catwalk star, just hours after latest blood tests and was still sporting a hospital bandage. She shared the stage with TV presenter Laura Schofield who announced fashions featured in the display. Caroline modelled a deep purple new evening gown from Debenhams and a bracelet and matching necklace worth £500 from Swarovski – and says she felt a million dollars.

Currently undergoing daily treatment for her Hodgkins Disease at University College Hospital, London, Caroline said repeated chemotherapy sessions had knocked her confidence and that the fashion show would prove a welcome boost. It was a special treat to have her hair done she says, as it had been adversely affected by her treatment, to the point where she had shaved it all off – and has done again since the show. Accountant Caroline was given a makeover by experts from Smashbox Cosmetics and Toni & Guy at Centre Court. She was also presented with a £100 Debenhams voucher and a bouquet of flowers. 

She said: “I enjoyed my makeover and getting dressed up. I was quite nervous to start with but got into it and found my confidence. Thanks to everyone at Centre Court for making me feel so special.” Wimbledon Centre Court’s marketing manager Sam Brown said: “Caroline was the undoubted star of the show. We were really touched by her story and feel privileged and humbled to have been able to help give her a special day.”

Caroline faces a further week of chemotherapy, followed by four weeks of stem cell treatment. She was first diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease in August last year and underwent months of treatment. The disease returned in September this year. “The hope is that by Christmas, I won’t need to go to hospital any more,” said Caroline. “But I love doing new things and I don’t see why anything should stop me.”