Volunteer Award for Denbighshire Art Group

An art group has been given a special award for its work to enhance the environment.

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Awards recognised Llanferres art group, the Country Park Painters with its Volunteer Award.

The award was presented to the group by the Chair of the AONB’s Joint Committee, Councillor Tony Thomas at Loggerheads Country Park.

The group has assisted the AONB over a number of years having exhibited their work in Loggerheads Country Park since 2005, with a percentage of painting sales being donated to charities including Cancer Research, Diabetes Research, Llanferres Church, Help for Heroes, African Water Aid, Support Dogs and Hope House Hospice.

The group painted the trig point at the summit of Moel Famau, straying from the traditional plain white colour of most trig points, transforming it into a work of art, depicting the natural world, with each member of the group producing a silhouette of an animal, bird or insect.

Over the years the group has also held fundraising activities in Loggerheads Country Park’s meeting room, having various stalls selling arts and craft work, plants, books and other items raising more than £4,000 for charity.

Pat Armstrong, a member of the Country Park Painters, said: “The group was delighted to receive this award. We consider it to be a privilege to be involved with such a calming and inspirational place which is right on our doorstep.”

Councillor Tony Thomas, the Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities and chair of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB Joint Committee, said: “I’d like to congratulate the Country Park Painters on this award and thank them for all their work over the years supporting the AONB as well as a number of charities.

“Moel Famau and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB are a great resource for residents and visitors alike providing fantastic outdoor spaces to enjoy and the Country Park Painters’ art work helps enhance the experience.

“I would encourage walkers at Moel Famau take a look at the trig point while visiting the summit.”

The award was presented to the group by the Chair of the AONB’s Joint Committee, Councillor Tony Thomas at Loggerheads Country Park.