The Friends of the Ridgeway are delighted to announce that they will again be holding an annual arts competition and prize – the Swire Ridgeway Arts Prize. A Flyer for the competition is available at https://tinyurl.com/ya6mgb5p.

 

The Ridgeway – the oldest road in Britain – historically was a trackway providing a reliable trading route from the Dorset coast along the chalk Downs to the Wash in Norfolk. Today it is not only the oldest road but part of that original route is a National Trail; it is also a wonderful resource for all the communities that live along its route, not just walkers where visitors and locals alike can enjoy walking, riding or just being there.  The Friends of the Ridgeway, a voluntary organisation and registered charity, is committed to the preservation in perpetuity of all the natural aspects and features of the ancient Ridgeway. Details of the Friends are at https://ridgewayfriends.org.uk/

 

The aim of the competition is to bring The Ridgeway to life not only as a long distance trail but also as an artistic inspiration, and to show The Ridgeway, its history and environs, in all their aspects throughout all seasons. The theme of the competition is ‘Spirit of the Ridgeway’. There are separate classes for painting, sculpture(including ceramics), photography and writing (poetry or prose).

 

There will be an exhibition of works submitted for the competition as part of the Ridgeway Friends Day. It will be open to the public on Saturday 21 April and Sunday 22 April 2018 in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington (Broad Street, Uffington, Oxfordshire, SN7 7RA),  located in the centre of the beautiful and historic rural village of Uffington in the Vale of the White Horse.