Royal Highland Fusiliers
''Would you like to attend a special presentation to His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, The Duke of York?'' asked Major Steve Wemyss, welfare officer for the 2nd Battalion of Royal Highland Fusiliers. This question was addressed to Ayrshire member of Scottish Art Circle, J P McLaughlin. Round about mid-April, 2011 Joe McLaughlin wrote to Major Wemyss expressing his interest to raise some money in support of “White Hackle,” a charity for the welfare of injured soldiers of 2nd Battalion of the Royal Highland Fusiliers (2 Scots) - and their families.
Oil on canvas I received an immediate reply from Major Wemyss offering to support our proposed plan. The major also suggested using the Welcome Home Parade of 2 Scots on 4th of May at Penicuik for us to promote our event. Then came the big surprise - one that we would never have dreamt of: ''Would you like to attend a special presentation to His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, The Duke of York?'' You don't need to guess our response to that kind of invitation. Jett and I took 2 samples of paintings along with us to show HRH and the guests and let people know how we intended to raise funds for White Hackle through an exhibition we would run at Phoenix Gallery in Ardrossan, Ayrshire. We had to be in Penicuik for 0900 on the day of the parade to set up our display and had to stay in the building once the security team were in place. We were given a choice of seating and opted for a spot at the back in line with His Royal Highness where we settled down to the presentation for the Co. It was a real eye opener for us to truly understand just how dangerous these operations in Afghanistan are like and the casualties that were suffered by soldiers of 2 Scots. We had a chance to say hello to Prince Andrew after the presentation as he went around meeting and having a quiet chat with visitors. Then we set up our work again in the main hall at Penicuik Town Hall after the parade had marched past the Town Hall to take the salute from The Regimental Colonel, Price Andrew. It was most encouraging for us to witness people's interest in the two paintings we had shown and how keen they were to want to learn more about our June exhibition. The exhibition at Phoenix Art Gallery in Ardrossan is set to run from June 5 - 26, 2011. Limited Edition prints of the 2 oil paintings created just for the event - “The Jocks” and “Purple Haze” shown above - will be available at the exhibition and a donation from every sale will go directly to the people who need it the most. Artists featuring in this event include J P McLaughlin, Jett Vivere, K.T., Stuart McAlpine Miller, Pat Kramek, Ruth Corbett, Debbie Sutherland, Linda Todd, John Dobbin, Jim Turnbull, Sandy Campbell, Liz Campbell, John Slaven, Chick Mageehan, William Kerr, Heather Stewart and Joe Hendry. Come and support us at... Phoenix Art Gallery 78 Princes Street Ardrossan, North Ayrshire KA22 8DF Tel: 01294 604 683 Top | Home | SAC Members A-Z | Events | Contact Us # jp11 |
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