1. Explore a 600-Year-Old Medieval Barn

Tucked behind a pub in the village of Harmondsworth — just a short bus ride or drive from West Drayton — sits one of England’s most remarkable medieval buildings. The Great Barn at Harmondsworth was built in 1426 by Winchester College and is the largest surviving medieval timber-framed barn in the country. At nearly 60 metres long, with 13 massive oak trusses holding up the roof, it was described by Sir John Betjeman as the “Cathedral of Middlesex.”

It’s Grade I listed — putting it in the same bracket as the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey — and over 95% of the structural timbers are original. Managed by English Heritage, the barn is open on the second and fourth Sundays of each month from April to October, and entry is free. There’s a free car park behind the barn, and the neighbouring Five Bells pub is there for the inevitable post-visit pint.

Where: Manor Court, High Street, Harmondsworth, UB7 0AQ
Getting there: Buses U3 and 350 from West Drayton, or a 10-minute drive

2. Walk the Grand Union Canal

One of West Drayton’s best-kept secrets is the Grand Union Canal towpath, which runs right through the area and offers miles of flat, peaceful walking and cycling. Head south from the High Street bridge and you can follow the canal all the way through the Colne Valley Regional Park, past lakes, meadows, and the occasional narrowboat.

For a longer walk, the Slough Arm of the canal connects West Drayton to Slough — roughly 10km point to point — passing under the M25 and through some surprisingly scenic countryside. You’ll even pass a couple of WW2 pillboxes and a London Coal Duty Post along the way. It’s flat, easy-going, and a world away from the busy roads just minutes away.

Start point: High Street bridge, West Drayton — the canal entrance is on the west side of the bridge

3. Try an Art Class at Southlands Arts Centre

Southlands Arts Centre is one of those places that people walk past for years before realising what’s inside. Set in a Grade II* listed Queen Anne house on The Green, it’s been home to West Drayton’s creative community since 1965 — and the range of what’s on offer might surprise you.

There are regular weekly groups covering life drawing, painting, digital art on iPads, crochet, sewing, knitting, creative writing, photography, yoga, meditation, chess, and even a monthly jigsaw puzzle afternoon. Most sessions cost between £2 and £15, several are free, and beginners are welcome to almost everything. There’s also a community café, a walled garden, and a regular programme of live music, exhibitions, and craft fairs.

If you’ve ever fancied trying life drawing but never quite got round to it, or you want to pick up crochet in a room full of friendly people rather than from a YouTube video, this is the place.

Where: 75 The Green, West Drayton, UB7 7PW
More info: southlandsarts.co.uk/groups-classes

4. Visit St Martin’s Church

St Martin’s Church on Church Road is a proper piece of West Drayton history. Parts of the current building date back to the 15th century, though a church has stood on this site since at least 1181. The interior was once decorated with painted banners hanging from the roof, alongside helmets, coronets, gauntlets, and spurs — remnants of medieval armour that were recorded by antiquarians before being lost over the centuries.

There are still traces of wall paintings behind the altar, and the churchyard itself is a quiet, leafy spot worth a wander. For anyone interested in local history, the church and its surroundings offer a tangible connection to West Drayton’s past that most people drive straight past.

Where: Church Road, West Drayton, UB7 7PT

5. Have a Coffee in a Walled Garden

The community café at Southlands Arts Centre is the opposite of a chain coffee shop. It’s volunteer-run, the cakes are homemade, and on a decent day you can take your cup outside into a walled garden that feels like it belongs in the Cotswolds rather than 15 minutes from Heathrow. There’s usually art on the walls inside, and the atmosphere is genuinely warm — the kind of place where people actually talk to each other.

It’s open on weekends, and it’s the sort of spot that converts first-time visitors into regulars. If you’re looking for a quiet, independent alternative to the usual high-street options, it’s worth the walk.

Where: Southlands Arts Centre, 75 The Green, West Drayton, UB7 7PW

6. Discover the Colne Valley Regional Park

Most people in West Drayton know the name, but fewer have actually explored it. The Colne Valley Regional Park covers over 40 square miles of farmland, woodland, rivers, and lakes stretching from Staines to Rickmansworth — and West Drayton sits right on its eastern edge.

It’s a proper green escape: ideal for birdwatching, cycling, fishing, or just a long walk through landscape that feels nothing like Zone 6. The park is laced with footpaths that follow the River Colne, the Grand Union Canal, and the various lakes that dot the valley. There are several circular walks starting from West Drayton or Yiewsley that take in waterside paths, woodland, and open meadow — all flat and accessible.

More info: colnevalleypark.org.uk

7. Catch a Show at The Beck Theatre

The Beck Theatre in Hayes — a short bus ride from West Drayton — is a proper 600-seat venue that punches well above its weight for a suburban theatre. The programme runs year-round and covers everything from touring West End productions and stand-up comedy to live music, pantomime, and community shows.

It’s the kind of local theatre that people forget about until they go once and wonder why they haven’t been going for years. Tickets are usually very reasonably priced compared to central London, and there’s free parking.

Where: Grange Road, Hayes, UB3 2UE

8. Explore Stockley Park on Foot or by Bike

Stockley Park is primarily known as a business park, but beyond the office buildings lies a surprisingly pleasant landscape of lakes, mature trees, and manicured grounds — originally designed as a country park. The paths are well-maintained and mostly flat, making it ideal for a lunchtime walk, an after-work jog, or a family cycle ride.

You can walk there from West Drayton station via the canal towpath in about 30 minutes, which makes for a satisfying circular route: canal one way, park paths the other. It’s particularly nice in spring and autumn when the trees around the lakes put on a show.

Getting there: Follow the Grand Union Canal towpath south from West Drayton High Street

9. Find the Gothic Revival Church on The Green

St Catherine’s Catholic Church sits right on The Green in West Drayton, and it’s a building that catches the eye even if you’re not looking for it. Built between 1868 and 1869 in the Gothic Revival style, it was designated a Grade II listed building in 2016 — making it the only listed Catholic church in the entire Borough of Hillingdon.

The church was built to serve the growing Catholic community in the area, many of whom were Irish migrants working in the local market gardens. Its architecture, its setting on The Green opposite Southlands, and its historical context make it worth a closer look — even if it’s a building you’ve walked past a hundred times without stopping.

Where: The Green, West Drayton, UB7 7PL

10. Walk to Harmondsworth Village

If someone told you there was a proper English village with a medieval church, a 600-year-old barn, a village green, and two pubs — all within a 15-minute bus ride of a Zone 6 Elizabeth Line station — you might not believe them. But that’s Harmondsworth.

The village is a conservation area and an archaeological priority area, with a concentration of heritage buildings that feels completely incongruous this close to Heathrow (you can hear the planes, which somehow adds to the charm). St Mary’s Church dates to the 12th century, and together with the Great Barn it forms one of the most impressive medieval heritage clusters in Greater London.

Combine a visit to the barn and church with lunch at the Five Bells or the Crown, and you’ve got a genuinely memorable half-day out — the kind of thing visitors from other parts of London find hard to believe exists.

Getting there: U3 or 350 bus from West Drayton, or a pleasant 3km walk

Getting to West Drayton

West Drayton station is on the Elizabeth Line, putting it within easy reach of Paddington (under 25 minutes), Liverpool Street, and Canary Wharf. There’s also good local bus coverage and parking in the area.

If you’re already in Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Hayes, Yiewsley, or any of the surrounding areas, most of these are within a short drive or cycle.

Looking for More?

Southlands Arts Centre runs a packed programme of events, groups, and workshops throughout the year — from live music and craft fairs to literary festivals and exhibitions. It’s the beating heart of West Drayton’s creative community, and most of what happens there costs less than a round at the pub.

See what’s on at Southlands Arts Centre

This post was written by the team at Southlands Arts Centre, West Drayton’s community arts centre since 1965. We’re a registered charity (No. 1173801) and everything we do is powered by volunteers, supporters, and people who believe the arts belong to everyone.

The post 10 Things to Do in West Drayton You Probably Don’t Know About appeared first on Southlands Arts Centre.

1. Financial year ended 31.03.2026

These are the current figures from Sage – to be reviewed before submission to Charity Commission.

Trading from 01.04.2025 to 31.03.2026

Summary: major improvement over last (and previous) years’ figures – loss of nearly £2k converted to profit of nearly £13k.

Sales up from £27k to £39k, but expenditure reduced from £29k to £26k.

But note that one rental makes up £9.5k, so important to ensure that they renew in August.

Profit and Loss Report

Total sales   £39,416

Total direct expenses   £15,625

Overheads   £10.840

Net profit (loss)   £12,951

The largest income generators are:

Room rentals             £23,505

Events – gross profit £2.297

Talks and workshops – gross profit  £2,604

Other income (mainly memberships and donations)  £1,810

Café (pre-creation of limited company) £1,141

Christmas Market – gross profit £1,081

The largest costs are:

Labour           £10,801

Cleaning £3,262

General Rates £1,677

Internet charges £1,794

2. Cash balances as at 09.04.2026

Bank account   £1,223

Savings account £18,118

Cash in hand         £107

Total £19,448

The above figures exclude £1,230 loaned to the café to cover start-up and subsequent costs.  The café repaid £270 of the £1,500 total loans last month.

Debtors as at 09.04.2026

Of the old invoices shown below:

Kids’ Club has promised payment when funding is received from the council.

Meal UK is expected to be cleared after checking payments received from the café.

Southlands Photography Club has just paid £100 on account and promised to pay the balance owed today.

4. Rental income

The main renters are:

HRSG £790 pcm (paid annually)

Opal Lily £350 pcm (should be more now the leak in the roof has been fixed)

Uxbridge Piano School £300 pcm

5. Café

Since 01.11.2025, the café has been operated by Southlands Community Café Ltd, a company 100% owned by Yiewsley and West Drayton Arts Council. It is hoped that the café will generate a useful income for the charity once the weather improves and a manager is appointed.

Michael Cook

Treasurer

The post Yiewsley and West Drayton Arts Council – Treasurer’s Report 9 April 2026 appeared first on Southlands Arts Centre.

Registered Charity: 1173801

Southlands Arts Centre 

75 The Green 

West Drayton

UB7 7AW 

AGM: 26^th March 2026 7 pm 

Trustees: 

Chris Wright (Chair) 

Lisa Tompkins (Dep. Chair) – Apologies

Jason Merry 

Olivia Smith (Resigned) 

Alan Boyd 

Dr. Ben Parker 

Vanessa Bonner 

Attendees: Paula O’Shea, Dr Ben Parker, Jason Merry, Vanessa Bonner, Chris Wright, Mike Cook, Clare Alford (member), Cllr Jan Sweeting, Cllr Scott Farley, Gwen (member), Ray Wasti, Wendy, Janet Quinn (member)

Apologies:, Sylvia Taylor, Tony Sandell, Mohammed Islam, Jayne Towndrow, Natashia Gravett, Jayne Towndrow, Alison Quinn, Luke Bryant, Lisa Tompkins, Sue Williams. 

Agenda

*Chairman’s Statement 

*Treasurers report 

*Re-election of annual Auditors 

* Retirement of Existing Chairman 

*Stand down of one existing Trustee 

*Re-election of existing Trustee by Proxy forms 

*New Potential Trustees to be proposed (subject to later approval by board of Trustees 

*Election of new Chair to be subject to later selection by board of Trustees 

*Award of Exceptional Support to Charity 

*Questions from the floor 

*A.O.B. 

Minutes

Chairman’s Statement

During the last year we’ve advanced from a loss-making position, and we’ve turned the situation around. Many, many, events have been run in the past year. Exhibitions, lessons, craft fayres, speaking functions, 

Classic music, we’ve brought the place to life. A large part of this is the café, which was considered impossible until recent years. It is essential for bringing people into the house. The gardening group have had a spectacular year which has attracted prizes and funding, it is an excellent example of what has been going on at Southlands. 

CW is disappointed that the lease has still not been finalised during his tenure, but he is hopeful that the changing staff and the contacts we now have will move this forward. We will be fundraising on the basis of a rolling lease. 

Pleased to say that from a fairly dismal position, the finances have improved substantially. Mike Cook has been extremely valuable in this. 

Treasurer’s report given by Mike Cook (See additional page)

24/25 accounts have been submitted and are available to view on the

Charities Commission website.

Not making a huge fortune, and in fact, in 24/25 we lost £1,814.

Context being that, in the previous year, we lost nearly £17k, and lost

£9k in the year before.

Turnover is shown in the increased activities, which are providing more

of the income. Steady growth in these areas.

Expenditure is not increasing in the same way.

YTD unaudited figures show £38k turnover and expenditure of £25k,

which should mean an overall profit in 25/26.

This is a major turnaround.

This is due to volunteers/staff/Trustees etc.

Cash in bank reserves is back up to £21k.

Managed to reduce the aged debtors also, with just a few currently on

the list. This was high due to a changeover in treasurer and Barclays

cutting off access to the bank. This means some of the old invoices have

been closed off, as they should have been marked as paid

previously, but this will not continue; it is an anomaly.

V6.1.26 AGM Agenda

Membership scheme – please sign up. Link on front page of website.

This helps the charity as it means more money coming in, but it also

means that we have numbers for funding, other organisations, and it

allows us to contact you easily to update you.

20% discount on Chess, Carrom and Scrabble club.

Café is currently open Saturday/Sunday –  please do come along. 

Easy fundraising – please sign up. Link on the website. It costs nothing to join but allows a small percentage of the money spent to be given to the charity 

https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/southlands-arts-centre/qr

Re-election of annual Auditors – Lee Mathers

No objections. 

Retirement of Existing Chairman – Chris Wright. 

Stand down of one existing Trustee – Olivia Smith (letter on file)

Re-election of existing Trustee by Proxy forms 

Vanessa Bonner – to stand down and hope to be re-elected this year.  Happy for personal statement to be sent out. 

New Potential Trustees to be proposed:

Clare Alford – personal statement can be sent out.

With regards to the trustees, 

3^rd of the trustees must step down at the AGM. Chris Wright and Olivia Smith are resigning. Vanessa Bonner was co-opted and so needs to be re-elected during the time.
Anyone else is able to stand. It is the members who will vote on the trustees. 

Election of trustees

Any member can make suggestions. 

For trustee elections, we will be putting a ballot to the members, this will be emailed to all members, and a vote will be carried out. This is a blind vote. 

Trustee application forms are to be filled in and can be sent out with the permission of the applicants. 

Personal statements for new Trustees to be sent out to the members, with a ballot. 

14 clear days for voting to be carried out. 

Election of new Chair to be subject to later selection by the Board of Trustees 

This will occur once we have finalised the trustees. To be decided at the May Trustee meeting. 

Award of Exceptional Support to Charity 

Sylvia Taylor (not in attendance) is to be recognised for her long service to the centre. She has been an attendee, a volunteer and a trustee over her (25 yr) tenure at the centre. 

This will be deferred to a later meeting.

Questions from the floor 

Clare – What is the situation on the roof?

Jason – The roof has been sealed and fixed and is water-tight, and we are now in the process of sorting out the ceiling in the room. As this was preventable, and the council were informed 18 months before the leak caused the issue, there is a debate on who is responsible. Our insurance will cover the interiors of the house. 

Café

CW is very happy to have been involved in the birth of the café, along with Paula, and wants to encourage the trustees to back this going forward as it is a vital part of the centre. 

Over the course of the year, the café was being run by Mark as an independent enterprise. He left in October. We tried various things over the winter. Paula has been managing for first quarter. Consultation was held with interested parties, mostly sensible suggestions were given. Opening hours were agreed as weekends and possibly Friday/Monday. Most thought relaxing the USP to be vegetarian would be more amenable. Some people thought too expensive, some too cheap. 

Meeting before this:

Café is highly seasonal – breaking even in winter is hard

We’ve decided to advertise for a manager for the next six months. 

Big Thanks to Janet, Jason (in attendance) and Dawn, Kieran (not in attendance), who have been a huge help in the café. 

Paula has other responsibilities within the charity, so she cannot continue to manage.

The idea is to open over the summer with paid staff and volunteers. 

We are mostly breaking even. 

Cream teas will be making a recurrence during the summer. 

Ray – Are we able to cook on site?

Paula – This will be dependent on the lease, as it involves a change of use for the kitchen and then an application for the license. 

Ben – When we did have a full range, it wasn’t as popular as expected, wastage was high, and people had many ideas about what they wanted. 

Janet – Has anyone spoken with Kay’s Kitchen? Could be a win/win with them.

Ben – There is a lot of opportunity to discuss local suppliers. This has not yet been done. Pre-made sandwiches are on our list to discuss with them. 

Paula – Kays and Sharon are both preferred suppliers for private functions. We’ve worked with them both on prior events. 

Clare – We did that for our event, and it would be good to publicise that outside caterers are allowed on site and how to go ahead with that. 

Paula – We are working on getting the “preferred list” of caterers on the website with the new room hire rates and private hire aspects. 

Chris – Worth mentioning that even with Craft Markets, if someone makes food items, they need their own insurance. 

Ben – just to highlight, this is why the café is an independent business, which is registered on Companies House to protect the charity.

Ray – Are there any plans for lights in the car park?

Paula – We were on the list for the council for 2025. As you can see, that hasn’t occurred. I have a budget for temporary lights in the car park, and I’ve had the bushes cut for more light on the stairs. This should be addressed in the coming months. 

Jan – I brought it up with the council recently. Please do bring it up to me again via email, and I will chase it with them. 

*A.O.B. 

Huge Thank You to Chris Wright for his work.

The post AGM Meeting Minutes 26 March 2026 appeared first on Southlands Arts Centre.

Get ready to celebrate stories, creativity, and community! Southlands Arts Centre presents LitOct 2025, Hillingdon’s much-anticipated literary festival, running over multiple days from Saturday, 4th October, to Friday, 31st October. This immersive event welcomes attendees of every age, offering age-appropriate activities and programs for children, teens, and adults alike. 

As part of a vibrant tradition of literary festivals in the UK, LitOct stands out as a collection of diverse events hosted at Southlands Arts Centre, a beautiful Grade 2 listed building, featuring the participation of creators such as authors, poets, and artists.

Located in Hillingdon, England, the festival contributes to the country’s rich literary scene and inspires creativity and a love of literature in all who attend. (Southlands Arts Centre)

Make sure to visit our LitOct hub page, which lists all the events, author talks, and activities scheduled for October, and consider purchasing the LitOct pass for the all-you-can-eat buffet of literary goodness.

What’s On: Events

Over the course of three weeks, LitOct brings a rich and varied line-up of talks, workshops, readings, performances, and family-friendly events. Here are just some highlights:

• Author Talks: Meet writers including Vivien Brown, Sam Davey, and Gatlin Perrin.
• Writing Workshops: Get hands-on with sessions like “Bringing your characters to life” with Vivien Brown.
• Storytelling & Drama: Events such as “Once upon another time…”, Seven Shakespearean Sonnets on Sunday with Sally and more, featuring live performance elements.
• Poetry Showcases: Enjoy readings and performances by poets, celebrating both established and emerging voices in the poetry community.
• Crime & Mystery: Sisters in Crime promises an engaging session for lovers of suspense.
• Family-Friendly Events: Bring the whole family to join the action and adventure with interactive activities and creative fun.
• Community-Anchored Events: The annual Apple Pie Supper, the Southlands Creative Writing Competition with prizegiving by Elizabeth Drummond, a curated art exhibition by local artist Rosemary Whittle, and a community Halloween Party to finish.

Get stuck into workshops and activities throughout the festival for a truly immersive experience.

Don’t forget to discuss your favourite events and experiences with fellow attendees!

Tickets & Special Offers

• There’s a £35 Event Pass, which gives access to all events except the literary lunch and Palooza. The pass also includes a special LitOct goody bag. (Southlands LitOct)
• Individual event tickets range from £3 to approximately £15 or more, depending on the event.
• Spaces are limited, and most events require booking. Best to reserve early.

Why You Should Go

LitOct is more than just a festival—it’s a chance for Hillingdon to come together around storytelling and creativity, bringing together readers from across the region. Over the years, the festival has grown in tradition and reputation, becoming a highlight in the literary calendar. LitOct has had some notable alumni from previous years.

We encourage you to visit the festival for a memorable experience. Here’s a brief list of reasons to attend: connect with fellow readers and book lovers, discover new voices, sharpen your craft, enjoy community-centred events, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of local and national literary culture. Whether you want to listen, learn, write, or just be inspired, this festival offers it all. Plus, with local artists and community-centred events, it feels intimate and accessible. It’s an opportunity to discover new voices, sharpen your craft, and enjoy literary culture without going far.

Food and Beverage

No literary festival is complete without delicious food and drink to fuel your imagination. At LitOct, the Hillingdon & West London Literature Festival, attendees can look forward to a tempting array of food and beverage options provided by Southlands Community Cafe, including a fantastic variety of Vegan options. Enjoy a leisurely meal or a quick snack as you move between events, talks, and readings—our literary festival in West London is the perfect place for your love of literature.

Volunteer Opportunities

The London Literature Festival thrives thanks to the passion and dedication of its volunteers. If you’re a book lover or story enthusiast looking to get involved, volunteering at the festival is a fantastic way to celebrate literature and connect with others who share your interests. Volunteers play a crucial role in every aspect of the event, from helping with setup and registration to supporting attendees and assisting with readings and talks. In return, you’ll have the chance to learn more about literature, gain valuable experience in event management, and become part of a vibrant community. Whether you’re available in autumn or spring, there are opportunities to contribute your time and energy to this celebration of reading and creativity. Volunteering at the festival or Southlands is not just about giving back—it’s about joining a network of people who love books, stories, and the world of ideas.

Practical Details

• Where: Southlands Arts Centre, 75 The Green, West Drayton, Middlesex, UB7 7PW – the place where the festival takes place
• When: 4th–26th October 2025. While LitOct is in October, other major literary festivals take place in August and September, such as those in Oxford, Scotland (including the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August), Wales (Hay Festival), and Toronto. Look out for special events happening on Sun during the festival.
• How to Book: Via the Southlands LitOct schedule page or through TicketSource. Some tickets may also be available in person at the venue’s community café.

Don’t miss this opportunity to let your imagination roam, support local artists, and dive into the written word. Mark your calendar, grab your pass, and we’ll see you at Southlands for a fantastic LitOct 2025! Don’t forget to spread the word about the festival to friends and family.

The post Hillingdon Literary Festival: LitOct 2025 appeared first on Southlands Arts Centre.

An invitation and very warm welcome is extended to our Members by

Yiewsley and West Drayton Arts Council

Registered Charity Number 1173801

To attend the 2025 Annual General Meeting on Friday, 13th June at 7 pm.

This is a great opportunity to find out about the running of the charity, meet the existing and new trustees and play a role in the charity’s future. The agenda will be posted on www.southlandsarts.co.uk ahead of the meeting.  

If you are interested in becoming a trustee and would like to know more,  please do send me an email, and I will get the relevant information and application forms sent out.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, 11th at Midday if you would like to attend.

I look forward to seeing you all there,

Kindest regards

Paula O’Shea

Charity administrator

paula@southlandsarts.co.uk

AGM Agenda

Approval of las AGM minutes, including charities aims and values

Chairman’s statement – (Chris Wright)

Re-election of Trustees

Treasurers report

Planned functions for the year

Garden Developments

Questions from the floor

AOB

We will be updating this page with minutes at a later date.

The post Yiewsley and West Drayton Arts Council AGM 2025 appeared first on Southlands Arts Centre.

SATURDAY’s 4pm – 6pm. £5 per player.

Have you always wanted to play chess but don’t have a partner, or a board? Are you a complete novice? Don’t know your rook from your bishop? Tired of playing and being beaten by your nephew? Want a bit more of a challenge? Want to learn some more complex techniques? Or simply want to spend a Saturday afternoon playing some friendly games? Then we have the group for you.

Southlands have launched the Saturday afternoon Chess Club.

Unranked friendly matches. Puzzles.

All skill levels welcome. Beginners and experts welcome.

Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent. Discounts for senior citizens.

Drop in’s welcome.

And don’t forget the community cafe is also open, so why not grab a coffee and a sweet treat and get stuck into an afternoon of Chess at Southlands.

The post Southlands Chess Club appeared first on Southlands Arts Centre.

Sunday

Yoga with Bergamot Tree (Stretch and strengthen, bring freedom to the body and calm the mind. Sunday morning 9.15 am. Wednesday evening 6.40 pm. £10 per session. Contact: thebergamottreeyoga@gmail.com)

Monday

Art – University of the Third Age (1st and 3rd Monday of the month, 10am – 12 noon. Drawing in pencil or pastel, close observation. Portraits, figures, still life etc.
Tel: 01895 441707)

Knitters and Knatters (2nd and 4th Monday each month, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm. We work with hand and machine knitting and crocheting. Beginners welcome.
For more information about this group, call Tel: 01895 421777. Contact admin@southlandsarts.co.uk for more information.)

Tuesday

Southlands Photography Group (Southlands Photography Group. Tuesday evening sessions. Friendly photography group, open to everyone regardless of experience. We help with general camera controls, have assignments, arrange talks from more experienced photographers, and do London photography walks; we also get to photograph local Events, such as Big Fest, SouthlandsLIVE, and May Fayre on the Green. Contact admin@southlandsarts.co.uk for more information.)

Hillingdon Vision (Hillingdon Vision. Tuesdays 5pm to 7pm. Hillingdon Vision aims to improve Hillingdon through its; Media work, community projects, local events and charitable services. Contact: Hillingdontelevision@journalist.com)

Gardening Club (Tuesday and Thursday 10-12. This group meets twice a week to work on the walled garden. Join our enthusiastic group of volunteers working on bringing the walled garden back to its former glory. Free. Contact: MT4A@yahoo.com

Wednesday

Les Artists (Wednesdays 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm. A social art group, meeting one evening each week, no tuition. We use mixed media, oil, acrylics, pastilles, and watercolour. We generally set up a still life, but we are happy if you work on your own project. Email tonysandell@live.co.uk)

Yoga with Bergamot Tree – (Stretch and strengthen, bring freedom to the body and calm the mind. Sunday morning 9.15 am. Wednesday evening 6.40 pm. £10 per session. Contact: thebergamottreeyoga@gmail.com)

Thursday

Life Drawing (Life drawing group is about practising and improving the fundamentals in a relaxed and friendly environment. 7 pm – 9 pm Every Thursday)

Friends of Southlands Meeting – Want to find out what goes on behind the scenes at Southlands? Want to get involved in planning a fundraising event? Or want to volunteer to be part of Southlands. Come along to our regular Friends of Southlands meeting. One Thursday a month, 7 pm to 9 pm. To find out the date of the next meeting, please email Paula at admin@southlandsarts.co.uk or Lisa at MT4A@yahoo.com

Friday

Crafty Cards (Have fun with glue and glitter, making all types of greeting and celebration cards. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month.
For more information about Crafty Cards, call Tel: 01753 652459. Contact admin@southlandsarts.co.uk for more information.)

Crochet for Beginners (Explore the art of crochet in this weekly workshop designed for beginners. Learn fundamental stitches, pattern reading, and create beautiful and functional items. Whether you’re a complete novice or have some basic knowledge, this class is tailored to enhance your crochet skills. Friday 4pm to 6pm. £7.50 per session, £20 for 4 sessions. Contact admin@southlandsarts.co.uk for more information)

Writers’ Salon (Meeting once a week, we will offer a platform to read and workshop your work with a group of fellow writers. We will also be offering a series of talks and discussions with published authors and journalists. Friday 7.30 pm to 9pm. Free to join. Donations welcome. For more information, please contact paula@southlandsarts.co.uk)

Violin Lessons (By appointment only: Violin lessons are taught in a relaxed atmosphere and are available to both children and adults. Pupils range from beginner to advanced. Tel: 01895 441882.)

Saturday

Make Time for Art (Last Saturday in the month, 10:00-12:00.
Learn about an artist, genre or movement and be inspired to get painting in our friendly and supportive group. Beginners welcome. Please contact Lisa on MT4A@yahoo.com)

Chess Club – (4pm – 6pm. £5 per player. Unranked friendly matches. Puzzles. All skill levels welcome. Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent. Discounts for senior citizens.

The post Southlands Arts Centre – Regular Activities appeared first on Southlands Arts Centre.

We’ve designed a £35 event pass that will give you access to all events (except the literary lunch and Palooza), to make sure you don’t miss any of the action. The event pass also includes a LitOct goody bag.

We’re launching with the Apple Pie Supper on 5 October, an seasonal new community event. At the supper we’ll announce the winners and runners up of this year’s creative writing competition celebrating them with readings of the winning entries; prizes are being presented by local author, Denise Beddows. We’re also holding an apple pie baking competition so get your rolling pins at the ready. We’d love to see lots of entries from local people.

Alongside LitOct, we’re mounting a curated art exhibition showcasing art work by local artists inspired by literature.  

We’ll round the whole celebration off on 27 October with another community event – Cliffhanger (more later – get it?).

Afternoons and evenings, weekdays and weekends, have a look at our website and see what interests you in LitOct 2024, there’s something for everyone.

Book your tickets online by using the event links below. Or pop along to our box office open Monday 10 am to 12 midday, Friday 10 am to 3 pm.

Or speak to Mark in the community cafe open on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. 

Please note that all events require advance booking. This helps us ensure we have the right setup and can accommodate everyone comfortably. Booking is on a first come first served basis, so get in there quicky to reserve your spot. 

We are thrilled to have you join us for a month filled with literary magic and can’t wait to welcome you to Southlands LitOct 2024!

A few of the books that will be featured in LitOct this year.

The post LitOct 2024 appeared first on Southlands Arts Centre.

Some of you may have already noticed it creeping into the design of our recent batch of posters. Well, now we Southlands is proud to announce our new range of merchandise.

First up is this stylish Tote Bag. Made from 8oz black canvas with the new logo in a striking turquoise. This is the ultimate accessory for all your art supplies, shopping, gym supplies, you name it.

By buying this bag you will not only be one of the first to have an exclusive piece of Southlands merchandise, but the profits will go to Yiewsley and West Drayton Arts Council (Registered Charity: 1173801) the charity who maintains and runs your favourite arts centre in the borough.

Keep an eye on our website and socials because there is more to come.

So don’t delay; pick up your bag today.

Available at the Community Cafe, open Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 6pm.

At the centre; speak to Lisa, Jayne or Paula.

Or by using the link below and purchasing one from our website shop.

The post Southlands Rebranding Project appeared first on Southlands Arts Centre.

For Mental health Awareness Week which runs from 13th to 19th May we will be holding a series of workshops, talks and sessions to encourage good mental health and wellbeing.

Friday 17th 12 midday to 2pm 

We will be joined by a representative from MIND who will be on hand to answer questions, offer up signposting and be speaking to us about the work that they do. 

1.30pm – 3pm – Sue will lead a guided walk of the grounds and discuss the gardening group.

Saturday 9.15 am – Taster Yoga with Magda.. Booking essential. £3 for the session.

Saturday 10 am to 4pm – Community cafe will be open. Wellbeing stalls will be on site. Art activities. 

Saturday 10 am to 11 am Opal Lily will hold a taster session for making dried flower mini hanging window wreaths £5 per session.  Booking essential.

Saturday 10.30 to 12.15 Intuitive drawing with Maria from Play therapy. This is a 1 hr 45 min session which will focus on using both sides of the brain to draw or paint. It is a great opportunity to focus on your creativity in a quiet and calming environment with no distractions. This will be held as a quiet session. Free Session. Booking Essential.  

Saturday 12.30 – 1.30 Vincent will be giving a talk on how art is not only vital to the human experience and wellbeing, but how far people will go to protect their right to access it. We first heard this talk at the AGM, it is a very interesting and informative talk which really gets one thinking about how art plays a part in their own life.

Saturday 1pm to 4pm Opal Lily will hold a session for making dried flower meadow workshop  £30 per session.  Booking essential.

More events to be added. Watch this space. 

To book onto any of the session, please email admin@southlandsarts.co.uk

The post Mental Health Awareness Week appeared first on Southlands Arts Centre.