For those who mix their sailing with their artistic skills, the Royal Society of Marine Artists is offering new prizes for young marine artists aged between 16 - 25 with selected works to be shown at their annual exhibition this October. There is a first prize of £500 and a highly commended prize of £200 (both funded by the shipwrights livery co.) Details and application forms can be found at www.rsma-web.co.uk

I have been to this Exhibition every year for quite a few years now, and even bought a few pictures. Last year Pat & Jilly Blake were there too. It's well worth going there has to be a few young Merlin Rocketeers who could enter the competition or older ones who could submit pictures for hanging. The great Dinghy Crew and raconteur Keith Shackleton had a retrospective in this and the Wildlife Artists exhibition last year.

Can someone please let me know the venue and dates for the exhibitiop

The venue is the Mall Galleries, London SW1  and the dates are 17 - 28 October 2007

Nigel

Talking of Keith Shackleton, a few months ago Garry Rucklidge drew my attention to Shackleton's book 'Shakewell Afloat' published in 2004. This is a collection of articles he wrote for Yachts and Yachting in the 50s and 60s. He is a gifted naturalist, writer and artist and was a top 14 crew with several POW wins in the 50s crewing Bruce Banks in 'Windsprite' - one of my heroes when I started my dinghy racing in Cadets.

The articles are mostly about 'Tatler's Hard S C (Itchenor S C), the 'International Hepplewhite Class' (Int. 14s) and the memorable people who sailed them in those days. The stories are amusing and probably more or less true. Most of us will have memories of similar bizarre events in our sailing lives. The text is accompanied by many delightful illustrations. 

I strongly recommend this lovely book. ISBN0-85937-403-3

In case someone would like to buy a copy they are brand new on the site below (Just to say I have no connection with this site or company - the book is just great fun!!)  Oh and thanks to Ancient Geek for recommending it to me!

Thanks Nigel.