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Landulph Orchard Green

Sketching Summer - 1 August 2026

On 1st August ‘26 The Art Club of Landulph connected four places almost adjacent to each other and dubbed them vantage-points in an open-air (‘plein-air’) art trail. All strikingly different, they offered botanical illustration, architectural drawing, lush landscape and a wide sweep of the Tamar that brought in Saltash bridges. They were Duke Orchard: haven of tranquillity; the Church of St Leonard and St Dilpe, where historian Andrew Barrett had agreed to be present to chat and answer questions; Duchess Green, the large wild space, seen as the hub, with summer music and food. and Neal Point, giving a wide sweep of the Tamar and Saltash bridges, with glimpses of bird-sanctuary wilderness.
Non-artists were invited to share in the event and linger in the venues, to enjoy the day. Over 40 people came including at least 8 artists. As the instigator of the event, I flitted from one place to another, talking to residents and visitors from some distance, and still managed a long chat with Andrew about the early church in the SouthWest, and the Tamar Valley in particular. There were prizes for children’s art such as stick-sculptures and rock-painting. On the day, the sun shone but not too hot; the food was delicious (especially the lemon drizzle cake) and the Players’ impressive programme of summer music was enjoyed by their now-fans from the slopes of the Green. The atmosphere was as usual here: friendly and relaxed, many in best summer outfits to mark the occasion. Not half an hour after I finally made it home, Elouisea, one of the Art Club members, sent a poem ‘Memories for the Day'.

Memories for the Day
In our village, where the Tamar turns,
We were sketching summer
With care and concern.
Duchess and Orchard are more than just greens -
Conservation, for growth, it's where life begins.

We etched the river, drew the church,
Painted flowers, fruit and bees,
Preserving willows, oaks and birch,
Who were gently blowing in the August breeze.

There were elders among us,
Who have walked this land from start till end,
To whom the river is the dearest friend.
Children, surrounded by grasses high,
Watched, and drew under the bright blue sky.

Cakes and savouries generously supplied
By expert bakers, all prepared with pride.
Chatting and vibing,
Just to simply be -
No pencil or paintbrush can capture this moment so free.

This magical snip intime
Is now fossilised in stone,
Original in each of our minds,
For each of us to own.
A moment not small.
Elouisea Jayne Stone

© Gill Mannings Cox, Elouisea Jayne Stone and the artists and photographers, August 2026, All rights reserved.

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