A STRATTON art group is celebrating its first anniversary.

Starting with just five members, the group has quintupled in size in just 12 months – with amateur artists enjoying weekly sessions and trips to South West museums.

Organisers Marilyn Trew and Ruth Wintle said that the group offered a “friendly environment” for people to get out of the house and relax.

The artists were previously running an art group out of Tesco Octal Way’s community room.

But the pair were invited to set up a new group last year by Stratton St Margaret Parish Council.

They christened the new group the Stratton Community Art Group.

Former air hostess Marilyn, 73, who flew troops across continents, said of the last year: “I’ve really enjoyed it. People need a nurturing, friendly environment to be fully creative – somewhere to relax among friends and get out of the isolation of living alone, where people respond in a kindly way to your efforts and your work is appreciated.

“It’s simple, it’s working and we are loving it.”

She said that her partnership with admin-whizz Ruth works well: “I do the more practical stuff.”

Over the past year, the group have visited TWIGS Community Garden for art sessions and group members’ work has been featured in the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust’s 2018 calendar.

In the coming 12 months, the group are planning more visits to South West galleries and will be exhibiting their work at the Eastcott Eco Fest, in the Savernake Social Hall, in April.

The Stratton Community Art Group meet every Monday, 9.30am-12pm, at Grange Leisure.

For more, visit the group’s Facebook page.