ONCE again I am happy to report that the overall standard of the 60- plus exhibits in this year's art exhibition is high. Again this year there are a surprisingly large number of works in pastel, a medium that requires skill and experience to avoid a rather vague and furry result. Owing to space restrictions I have cast my very personal eye over the the finished works and have room only to mention those I consider the best and most competent.

In Across The Water Sheila West has handled her acrylic competently and confidently; Suzanne Robinson has used mixed media for two impressive paintings: Spring In The Wood and High Force - Teesdale, the latter a good attempt at a difficult subject; one of the most accomplished watercolours is by Gill Littleford with her Lilies; nearly as good is Gill's pastel, Bluebells On Cam Peak. (There are a number of other works depicting bluebells). I much liked Vicky Cox's White Stallion which zooms in on a horse's head; Farmhouse Fayre, a pastel by Anne Farrington is a most pleasing and accomplished stll life; I also admired Pixie McVicar's pastel, Morning, which has a haunting and subdued quality. Beryl Lewis and Peter Iles with their White Horse and Sunday Morn , respectively, both scored high .

However , best in the show for me has to be John Bramley, who displays a considerable mastery of watercolour in his three exhibits , especiallly Mount Athos and Force 8 Imminent.

I cannot end without a mention of the small photography exhibition by the Dursley Training Unit Day Centre . All of these photographs are beautifully composed, sharp and meticulously presented. Here again bluebells are popular including Neil's Bluebells Over The Gate, a ( lone) Bluebell by Sandra, and Bluebells Over The Fence by Brian . Heather depicts a wonderful , panoramic View From Coaley Peak and a close-up of an Orchid by Alan is quite excellent.