Catch,up.

Its ten months since I last posted on this blog and such a lot has happened at Potteric Carr Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve since then.
A new visitor centre was planned to be constructed by the entrance to the reserve in the summer of 2016, a 'state of the art green' building with meeting room, office for the staff, cafe and shop.
The preparation of the site included the removal of a large number of Great Crested Newts which are a European protected species, this started in May, took eight weeks and was done under licence. The newts were transferred safely to another part of Potteric Carr SSSI nature reserve and building construction started in mid July.

                                                   
 Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's 70th birthday celebrations with David Attenborough took place at York University on June 17th. Sir David's talk was memorable, without notes, completely spontaneous.  It was a fascinating and very entertaining evening which I was very proud to have been part of.
My painting 'Hawthorn Field Spring" was one of the prizes in the draw .

On 8th July a Glossy Ibis" was seen on Loversall Carr.  I managed to get a few photographs of this quite rare bird and have included it in my painting "Wildlife in the Morning Sunrise at Potteric Carr"  (presently on my display in the new Visitor Centre )

On Friday 25th November Rosie Winterton MP joined Chief Executive of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Rob Stoneman, along with funders, staff and volunteers to open the new visitor centre. Mrs Winterton said "Potteric Carr is a fantastic asset for Doncaster and the whole of Yorkshire"

A Christmas Carol Singalong at the Albert Hall on 17th December was wonderful, the atmosphere amazing, we had gone by coach with a group of friends and it was an occasion to be remembered with great pleasure, however, returning home the next day someone behind us on the coach had a very heavy cold, and 'kindly' passed it around, so, for the next few weeks we suffered and missed Christmas altogether.

Well thats just about 'up to date'  My paintings are on display in the Visitor Centre at Potteric until the end of February when a new hanging system will be installed. There are lots of interesting events planned on the reserve,  here is a link...... http://www.ywt.org.uk/whats-on

Sheila M Bury,Volunteer Artist in Residence and Fundraiser, Potteric Carr YWT Nature Reserve Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

My New Paintings Display in the Kingfisher Tearooms at Potteric Carr YWT Nature Reserve.

Spring arrived officially some weeks ago but, today, in the sunshine it was almost like summer, a very good day to put up a new display of my work in the much loved Kingfisher Tearooms in the middle of  Potteric Carr, YWT, Nature Reserve.

In the main I chose paintings depicting the flowers, birds and butterflies that, over the coming weeks we will be seeing all over the reserve, and  included a painting on driftwood, of the seals at the Grey Seal Sanctuary at Donna Nook on the Lincolnshire Coast.

 

Should you wish to purchase any of my work, the payment, either cash or card, can be taken at the till in the Kingfisher tearooms. I donate 50% of the price to the Trust.

Sheila M Bury, Volunteer Artist in Residence and Fundraiser, Potteric Carr YWT Nature Reserve, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK.  

Sand martin Bank at Potteric Carr YWT Nature Reserve - Update

Today -  8th April 2016, the new Sand martin Bank has been installed at Potteric Carr YWT Nature Reserve. It was a beautiful morning, full sunshine and I managed to take many photographs which I have whittled down to these in the interest of brevity.

 The tractor with the sand arrives first and the place for the new Sand martin bank marked out. 

The first sod dug out.

 Transferring materials.

Foundations in place. 

 One up and the next one ready .

 Sides on and fixed in place.

 The front securely attached.

 Next the top.....looking good.

 .....and the doors.

....securely screwed on....

Sand martin tunnels manoeuvred  into place.........

...........and filled with sand..........and what a job that is !!!

The new Sand martin Bank complete....... apart from 40 of the tunnels still to be filled with sand.  

I wanted to stay and help but the skies opened and I got completely soaked, to the skin........

But it was most definitely worth it. 

I know I will not be the only one watching for the first 

Sand martins to arrive and make it their home. I feel so 'chuffed' that I have helped do something so positive for my favourite nature reserve Potteric Carr.

Sheila M Bury, Volunteer Artist in Residence and Fundraiser, Potteric Carr YWT Nature Reserve, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK.

To see where it all started click the link.

http://sprotbropainter.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/sand-martin-bank-for-potteric-carr.html

New Paintings in House of Flowers, Sprotbrough

 New paintings on display in the House of Flowers Sprotbrough.

House of Flowers, 10 Main Street, Sprotbrough, Doncaster, DN5 7RF

 "Bittern on Sprotbrough Flash"

acrylic on box canvas 12"x24" unframed.

 £195

 "Sprotbrough Village, Winter 2010"

watercolour/gouache. 

£135

 

 "Rotherham Sailing Club on Harthill Resovoir"

watercolour/gouache, framed, cream mount.
 £225

"Cusworth Hall Autumn" 

triptich, brass hinges. unframed.

acrylic on box canvases, 10"x26"

£175

"Roe Deer at the Edge of a Field"

acrylic on canvas, 18"x24" framed.

£235 

  and many more........................

House of Flowers, 10 Main Street, Sprotbrough, Doncaster, DN5 7RF

November Display of Paintings at Potteric Carr YWT Nature Reserve.

 Most of the paintings on display in the Kingfisher Tearooms at Potteric Carr YWT Nature Reserve reflect the season, from Hibernating Hedgehogs to Baby Seals at Donna Nook, a Barn Owl and Britain's favourite bird, the Robin.

 

This part of my display is close to the window and comes complete with reflections in the glass.  

The painting on driftwood of 'Baby Seals at Donna Nook' was inspired by a visit there last November and the extraordinary piece of driftwood I found.

'Barn Owl Hunting'

watercolor/gouache 

 

Kingfisher Tearooms at Potteric Carr, a lovely place to stop for light refreshment or a meal, right in the center of the reserve...... 

  Cream teas and hot chocolate are absolutely scrumptious..

Persons wishing to purchase any of my work, can pay,  either cash or card,  at the till in the tearooms.

 

 

Sheila Bury, 

Volunteer Artist in Residence and Fundraiser at YWT Potteric Carr NR, Doncaster.

 

Sand Martin Bank for Potteric Carr, Raffle.

Potteric Carr is an amazing nature reserve, and I am privileged to be artist in residence, I have donated this painting to raise funds for a nesting colony of Sand Martins.

  

The nesting bank is to be built at Decoy Lake and should be viewable from the planned new visitor center.  

 The painting ......

  

'Impressions of Huxter Well Marsh' 

acrylic on canvas 20"x30"

( my impressions of this beautiful part of Potteric Carr Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve just a couple of miles from the centre of Doncaster in South Yorkshire )

If you enjoy visiting this lovely and interesting reserve please buy a ticket and help make this conservation project possible.

Tickets are on sale at Potteric Carr shop and cost £1 each or £5 for a book of five.

The winning ticket will be drawn at Sedum House , Potteric Carr on January 1st 2016. 

The winner of the raffled painting was Mr Chris Johnson of Warmsworth Doncaster.
Congratulations Chris.

Paintings on Display at Potteric Carr YWT Nature Reserve.

'Sunny Afternoon by the Dragonfly Ponds'

A variety of dragonflies and damselflies can be seen around the ponds on Loversall Field at Potteric Carr YWT Nature Reserve in the warm summer sunshine. 

This painting is on display in reception at Potteric Carr Nature Reserve. it is painted on a 4cm deep box canvas measuring 90x60cm, the sides, top and bottom are also painted so it would not require a frame, it is ready to hang. Price £425

  'May Morning, Cuckoo Calling'

 One of the new paintings in my display in the Kingfisher Tearooms, they replace work recently sold. 

 

Kingfisher Tearooms at Potteric Carr, a lovely place to stop for light refreshment or a meal, right in the center of the reserve......  Cream teas and hot chocolate are absolutely scrumptious..

Persons wishing to purchase any of my work, can pay,  either cash or card,  at the till in the tearooms.

Sheila Bury, 

Volunteer Artist in Residence and Fundraiser at YWT Potteric Carr NR, Doncaster.

 

Stroll and Sketch at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Potteric Carr Nature Reserve.

The Springwatch Festival at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Potteric Carr  Nature Reserve, taking place on 30th and 31st May, promises to be a fascinating weekend with many events for a range of interests in the natural world. As part of the festival, as resident volunteer artist, I am leading a 'Stroll and Sketch' group around the Reserve, starting at 10.30 am at Sedum House and finishing at 12.30 at the Kingfisher Tearooms.

My plan is to visit the various parts of the reserve that have become favourites of mine and which I have painted or plan to paint in the near future. I will show you what it is that draws me to the views and we will do rough sketches of them.
If you would like to join me you will need a drawing pad with a hard back around 10x8 inches, a 4B pencil and pencil sharpener/ or a black biro ( with plenty of ink in )

Booking is essential at

http://www.ywt.org.uk/events/2015/05/30/springwatch-festival-stroll-and-sketch?instance=0

Sheila Bury, 

Volunteer Artist in Residence and Fundraiser at YWT Potteric Carr NR, Doncaster.

Birds Bees and Butterflies.

' Garden Pots With a View'

 One of the paintings for sale on my display in the Kingfisher Tearooms at YWT Potteric Carr NR, Doncaster. 

Painted on board and over the frame in acrylics, size 22"x28" Ready to hang. Price £325.

 'Geese by Cottage Drain Hide'

This painting is also in the same  display at Kingfisher Tearooms.

Painted in acrylic on stretch canvas size 18"x24"  Unframed, ready to hang. Price £225

                                  

My display- 'Birds, Bees and Butterflies'

Kingfisher Tearooms at Potteric Carr, a lovely place to stop for light refreshment or a meal, right in the center of the reserve......  Cream teas and hot chocolate are absolutely scrumptious....

Persons wishing to purchase any of my work, can pay,  either cash or card,  at the till in the tearooms.

  

Sheila Bury, 

Volunteer Artist in Residence and Fundraiser at YWT Potteric Carr NR, Doncaster.