The artists at the Farmhouse in Fairlands Park were delighted with the local community’s response to the first weekend of their open studios. Visitors lingered long, enjoying tours of the studios and chatting with the artists, followed by tea and cakes in the garden. All were complimentary about the diversity and quality of the work on show throughout the house and, as ever, fascinated by the information available about the history of Digswell Arts and the house itself.

The artists were particularly pleased to welcome members of the Marriott family, who lived in the house and farmed the land up until 1970. Their reminiscences provided a rich resource for the artists, several of whom are planning to take this forward in their work. Film of the last harvest, in 1969 is available here: http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/7253.

Fairlands Valley Farmhouse doors will be open again from 11am to 4pm this weekend, the 6th and 7th September. With craft activities and a colouring competition for children.