A generous member and regular visitor to Shildon Railway Institute has offered the club a selection of prints and original paintings to offer for auction and help towards essential maintenance and winter fuel bills.
Ken Tooby, whose preferred medium is watercolour, took up painting relatively late in life having started painting as part of a recovery plan following two strokes in 2011. These left him without speech for some time and with a weakness on his right hand side, but Ken was determined to overcome this setback in life.
Help from the Stroke Association gave Ken the opportunity to try painting and he thrived to the point of receiving a Life After Stroke Award in 2014. It was a new found love that has stayed with Ken right through to the present day, and as a consequence he has attained quite a reputation for his work.
The current Chair of the Institute, Dave Reynolds, told us that, “Ken has been most generous in offering us these original works and prints, as well as a couple of photographs and prints he has by others. We really appreciate his gesture of support.
“It’s well known that so many of the clubs and hospitality venues in the area are really struggling as our customers have had to tighten their belts to make ends meet. Losing any of them right now would be a tragedy, and for many like the Institute, once lost will not be able to return. We’re looking at all kinds of ways to get through the winter ahead, but Ken’s kind gesture has given us a real lift.”
The Institute, celebrating its 190th year serving the community this year, has set up a page on its website where interested parties can take a look at the paintings and prints on offer, some of which are already framed, and others not. The page describes each piece and has a form for anyone who might want to submit a bid in advance or who may not be able to attend on the night but would like to be in the running to buy one of the artworks.
Dave went on to say: “We know everyone is really feeling the pinch now that the cost of everything has climbed to dizzying heights, but what I would say is that as a community we’re so much better and stronger when we spend a little time out in each other’s company. “I’d ask folk that might not have been out socially for a while, if and when they can, to reconnect with their friends or family in person at their favourite pub or club, whichever one that may be. As these colder darker nights draw in, it’ll boost your happiness and help to protect what’s left of our night-life around Shildon.”
The Ken Tooby art auction will take place in the bar at Shildon Railway Institute on the evening of Friday 3 November at 8pm. To view the donated artworks, click here.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
