Elphin Lodge Art and Craft Group is one of the happiest groups in the peaceful retirement village.
Started some years ago, the group initially had under 10 members, but now 23 creative souls get together every Tuesday morning to do watercolour and acrylic painting, knitting, card-making (hand sketched) and even embroidery.
“One of our members, Isobel Kohll, who is 100 years old, loves coming down to dabble and have tea and biscuits with us, although I know she would prefer ice cream!” says member Jenny Sella.
“There are always helping hands setting up the cups and saucers for our refreshment break and members also happily help clear up once we are done.
“New residents have bravely come down and joined us, and learnt that members can do whatever they want, without anyone looking over their shoulder to make sure they do things ‘correctly’.
“We help each other and learn from each other. We experiment with different mediums and, a few months ago, we decided to try the acrylic pouring method, which was so much fun but boy, was it messy! For now, this has been put on hold while we prepare for our Christmas market on December 8.”
Jenny says that being retired means they can now learn a new hobby, make new friends, and enjoy coffee and cake or biscuits with people of their own age.
“We have the same memories, the same experiences at a time that was different to what the younger generation is living through today. Thank you, Elphin Lodge, for making the clubhouse available to us every Tuesday morning, with staff to set up tables and clean up after us.
“We might need a bigger venue with the way the group is growing! Happy ‘more memories’, Arties, keep coming down on a Tuesday.”
Carol Moss with her creative work.
The group is hard at work.
Say cheese… The group, with Jenny Sella in the front.
