South Yorkshire Times, April 26 1947

Mexborough’s Art Exhibition
A Memorable Revelation of Talent

A shot of the upholstery room at Mexborough Arts Society’s annual exhibition showing a carpet loaned from the Lady Chapel at Swinton Parish Church, and other furnishings.

Soon wonder there was a night and day rota for guarding the 650 exhibits during the three days of Mexborough’s art exhibition in the Grammar School last week-end. The two rooms containing embroidery displays by Mexborough and Wath ladies had assumed the likeness of grottos filled with colourful birds of paradise or gorgeous painted butterflies which had been ensnared for a short time to fascinate the public eye and then to vanish. The warm exotic scent, combined efforts of the sun and flowers, added considerably to the hothouse atmosphere. These, and the exhibits of upholstery and soft furnishings from Wath and Swinton evening institutes, were enough to make an prospective bride with an empty bottom drawer, or newly-wed, sigh with longing.

Tablecloths were there in abundance; particularly beautiful in Mexborough ladies’ section were Mrs. Flavell’s cross stitch tablecloth, a cutwork cloth, tulips and narcissi design from Mrs. Smith, and another cutwork cloth of Miss Spendeley’s. Also in this section were a Florentine tapestry, lent by Mrs. R. Ward, and, in modem contrast, a delightful “firelight ” tapestry picture.

Embroidered Pictures.

In Wath ladies’ section there were other beautiful cloths, among which was a nursery cloth embroidered by Mrs. Walsh. Hours of work must have gone into that cloth, but how a iammy a fingered child could make short work of its daintiness! Unpractical but delightful) There were several embroidered pictures, which included a charming one by Mrs. Birks, depicting a coach and four crossing a bridge into an old-world town. There was also a very comfortable-looking easy chair which had been upholstered in embroidered material by Mrs. Peat. Here was yet another example of what patience and time could do. A

In the upholstery and soft furnishings room were two particularly attractive eiderdowns, one an English quilted, worked by Mrs. Hobson, of Swinton, and another, an Italian quilted in maroon, from Mrs. Cawdron, of Wath. Also a perfect baby’s eiderdown in pale blue. Among the cushions were some made from floor cloths woven with mending wool. They looked both durable and pretty and might be an inspiration to any housewife. Mrs. Prince, of Wath, had been really thrifty in the thrift rugs section. Unravelled wool from cardigans, socks and jumpers had been used to very good effect.

The Art Section

In the hall was displayed a varied collection of oils, water colours, pastel work and sketches, together with specimen work from the Grammar School, Dolcliffe and Adwick Road Schools. Wath Grammar School, Brampton Ellis, Bolton Modern and Thurnscoe Hill.

Among the pictures were side by Mr J Ryder, a member of the printing and advertising staff of the “South Yorkshire Times.” Mr Ryder is a member of the arts Society committee, and it was towards the success of the exhibition, been also responsible for his publicity. Most remarkable of his portraits was that of Mr E.J.M.for, a splendid piece of work. Others included parties of Mr. W. W. Ryder and ” David.”

Mr. W. E. Leadley, of Wath, showed wonderful versatility in his nine exhibits. On one hand we had the quiet and peace of ” Pewsey Vale ” and on the other the imaginative ” Composition.” Both were in pastel. He contributed two oil paintings, ” On Martinsel ” and ” Sea Fantasy,” again in strong contrast, the one having a simple effect obtained through verticals and clear colour—a practically bare, tall, :slim tree standing sentinel over small hay-stacks, and the other a mysterious picture of curves and dark colouring, ” Sea Fantasy.”

There were several typically colourful watercolours from Mr. H. Myers, of Mexborough, including ” Exmoor ” and “The Dearne at Harlington,” and one by another member of the ” South Yorkshire Times ” staff, Mr. R. D. Ridvard, Sports Editor, who had executed a charming picture of ” Grand Harbour,” Malta, where he spent some of his war service with the Royal Air Force. There was also one of those mysteriously modern, vividly coloured and intricately designed watercolours, ” Traffikaleidoscope,” from the hand of Mr. T. T. Scam, of Wath, who,also in contrast, had included ” Early Morning.”

Children’s Work

At first thought it would seem impossible for 13 and 14 year-olds to produce      such       delicate work     as was displaved from the schools. Brampton Ellis School had some most charming needlework on show. Adwick Road School had a certain amount of metalwork exhibited and Wath Grammar School had several very original posters such as ” Ye Great Fire of London, 1666,” by D. Sanderson, and P. A. Leadley’s ” Macbeth.”

From Waterstone Glassware Ltd., Wath, were several exhibits; a tiny glass pig, a green swan, a harp and a pistol.

Outstanding the the photographic section were some contributions of Michael Walters, son of Mr. J. T. =Walters. Two very charming ones were ” The Good Earth ‘ and “Lion Gates.” Loveliest among the portraits was ” Janet,” a child study, from Mr. A. Hoyle of Ryecroft.