Our speaker Barbara Gabb from Stonehouse entertained and delighted us with her talk and demonstration on 'Canal Art'.

No one knows where it originated from, but somewhere between the Continent and England.

'Canal Art' has expressed itself in sign writing as an advert and power using the three primary colours, red, blue and yellow, being bold, bright and strong.

In the early 17th and 18th century, well off landowners allowed canals to be built on their land and later in their decline, unique to England, also let the railways be built allowing their goods and freight to be moved about.

Wealthy aristocrats who followed the grand tour across Europe to Italy came back with artefacts and ideas inspiring artists to paint and decorate barge ware.

Everywhere outside and inside the barge, flowers, swags of roses, leaves, animals, even stylised castles were painted on doors, walls, buckets, utensils, even the horse feeder was brightly decorated.

Frank Nurser stylised the art for the public to see, based at Branston boat yard, Northamptonshire.

Sonia Rolt wife of founder member Tom Rolt of Inland Waterways Association worked on the barges and Tom, along with Robert Aikman, was mainly responsible for keeping the canals viable and navigable after the World War II.

Years ago life was hard on the canals, women had very large families all living in close proximity to each other.

Children had to work, barely went to school; life was bleak, women and wives carried the main work load, horses pulled the barges; a sharp contrast to the tranquility of life of modern day canal living.

Barbara finished her talk with a short demonstration of finely honed brush strokes showing us the beautiful craft of 'Canal Art'.

There was a warm round of applause followed by a vote of thanks from Dot Glover.

Tuesday evening, March 17, the WI's Centenary Baton arrived in Painswick Church Rooms to cheers as Upton St Leonard's, Edge, Yew Trees and Sheepscombe WIs welcomed the runner.

As dusk approached we paraded with lit lanterns through Painswick Churchyard, joining later for canapes and wine.

This baton is travelling to all WIs in Gloucestershire and the whole of the country; a truly memorable evening worthy of our WIs' Centenary.

No meeting in April, we meet again on Monday, May 4, in Upton St Leonard's Village Hall, 7.30pm for a talk by John Crowther on the Hedgehog Hospital'.

Colour pink

All ladies welcome.