Friday 16 October 2020

Prelude To A Most Heroic Weekend...

 Heavenly Beverley has been abuzz all day long. 

Our fantastic new play space Moort Wabiny Park is ready to welcome its first discerning visitors in the morning. Actually young friend Caleb and I cheated; we took a tour of the establishment this afternoon. A nature playground with a water feature, an impressive skatepark to test the mettle of skateboard revheads of all ages, a half basketball court, a pump track, shade, and water fountain. The only unfinished business was Western Power's inability to get the lights and BBQs operational and some fencing that failed to turn up with the rest of the fencing!

Down Anzac Lane, the Shire workers were busy tidying up the new kerbing with the addition of gravel. Not quite done but our street now is far more attractive and the Forbes Building looks positively smick!

We welcomed our latest artist Lorraine Pichugin as well. Lorraine is looking to secure Artist-in-Residence status at the Station Gallery come July. She paints in oils and draws in graphite and charcoal. We spent a very happy couple of hours with her and husband John. Whilst Michael hung her art pieces and moved "Dream Sequence" by Neil Elliott above the fireplace, I added to our ever-expanding catalogue, created new labels and laminated Lorraine's biography. In between all this, a delightful guest named Ninka (she endlessly thanks her mum and dad for giving her an old Dutch name) came in and bought the "Galaxy" set by Jan Cross that had only been placed around the Gallery yesterday. I kid you not; do not muck around if you see the artwork of your dreams, as it may well be snapped up by another guest whilst you are pontificating.

Late this afternoon, the sound system roared into life at the Platform Theatre for this evening's debut of "Cocky's Crossing", which also is performing tomorrow night and next weekend. Further up Vincent Street, the Town Hall was filling with the Vintage Bicycle Display, first cab off the rank in this year's Beverley Heroic. Is spite of COVID19, traffic management issues and any number of headaches for Heroic maestro Toby Hodgson, the weekend has arrived, the bicycles are arriving, the riders are arriving, the caravan park is full and there will be plenty of brave campers pitching their tents or parking their van at the overflow site at our town oval.

The Heroic kicks off at ten o'clock with registration, followed by the Beverley Road Race from eleven. The vintage bike display officially begins at two, as does oval camping. Cyclocross events fill the rest of the afternoon. Sunday will be mostly impromptu. With obstacles affecting two races, many bicycle riders are choosing to ride the route anyway. For the joy of riding. The Heroic is one of Beverley's premier occasions during each year and we are forever grateful to Mister Toby for coming up with this hair-brained scheme six years ago.

Other honourable mentions for celebrations this weekend include Beverley local James as pleased as punch with his new water tank, catching up with old friends Meredith, Kim and Zelda who are coming up for tomorrow night's "Cocky's Crossing" and enjoying a visit from Narrogin artist Christine Davis. Chris has provided us with a beautiful selection of her paintings and is also a really lovely lady raising her grandson after her beloved husband died from cancer only a couple of years ago. As Christine is rather tall, I may have to stand on tippy toes to embrace her with love.

To round off a spectacular weekend, BORMSA (Beverley Off-Road Motor Sports Association) is holding a Khanacross on Saturday and driver training on Sunday. Why do I think that driver training will teach eager youngsters the opportunity to drive hard and fast and stay alive? One way to keep our Beverley youth out of mischief...

Feeling like a day trip? Turn your vehicle of choice in the direction of Heavenly Beverley and join in any number of activities this weekend. The East End Gallery and Station Arts will be open all weekend and can assist you with visitor information, along with other venues.

Go on, Be Very Beverley.


Still-life of James, Rosie and Tank...


Do I spy some bicycles?



Resident meerkats at Moort Wabiny Park...



Truck with cascading water feature...


Welcome to Beverley's latest project!


Artist-in-Residence Thelma at work


And Veronica at play!


Sally's absolutely divine dogs in tugboats...


Galaxy set and larger dish - now you see it...


Now you don't!


New works by Lorraine Pichugin -








More from "Gone Potty" and "Love Your Work" Textiles -








Jewellery by Jan George and bowl by Jan Cross...


Glass, jewellery, bath tea and Christmas cards by Year 6 student Mia Schilling...


Rather a wonderful mix here...


Exquisite "Mushroom" sets by Jan Cross


And pot by Kaitlyn Elsegood...


Christmas Decoration packs by Jan Cross and Gone Fishing by Gazzart...


Cooee! by Andrew Taylor...


Finally, Michael is back at play in his workshop...



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