Aberdyfi and its surrounding countryside have long been attractive to artists, both amateur and professional. Some have made it their home; others coming from away bring their sketchbooks and paints with them to enjoy a holiday by the sea. Until recently, these enthusiasts worked independently, sharing a common interest, but without the benefits of an organisation to bring them together, or to provide the means to show their work to the public.

Aberdyfi is, perhaps, best known to those who live outside Meirionnydd not for the talent of its artists, but for the legend of its Bells or, perhaps, for its brief glory as a shipbuilding centre and port in the last century. More recently, it has become known for its Outward Bound Sea School set up at the start of the last war and offering residential courses for youngsters from a mix of social backgrounds. These involved tough physical out-of-door activities, and were designed to improve fitness and encourage both self-reliance and a team spirit among the pupils.

It may come as a surprise that it was on the initiative of a member of the school staff that local artists were brought together. From its inception, students had been encouraged as part of their training to keep a written record of their experiences during their stay. In the late 60s, Barbara, wife of the then principal Captain Fuller, suggested that the boys - at that time there were only boys on the course - would, in addition benefit from some professional instruction in sketching and the use of watercolour, to help them illustrate what they had seen in class and on their outdoor activities.

Captain Fuller appealed for help to John Tinkler, head of the art department at Aberystwyth. His response was most generous. He provided materials, and his wife offered to tutor evening classes at the school - all free. Joan Tinkler proved to be a gifted and inspiring teacher, and the classes were an immediate success. So much so that Barbara invited a number of local amateur artists to join with the boys and sit in on these evening classes. In fact, many of the boys proved to be surprisingly artistic and displayed their sketches on the walls of their dormitories with justifiable pride.

This artistic activity would surely have been welcomed by Kurt Ham, the founder of the school. Within a few months, however, the amateur artists felt that sharing classes was not enough. In particular they wanted to arrange their own programme of classes, to make their own choice of tutor, and be able to exhibit their work to the public. In the late summer of 1968 this small group of artists decided to form their own club, initially called The Bryneithyn Painting Club.

In 1969, the club had its first exhibition of pictures in the school sheds on the sea front of Aberdyfi - surely a most unusual venue for an exhibition of art. The paintings were propped up on boats, hung on rigging, pinned to the walls - wherever space could be found, even to the extent of overflowing onto the pavement outside! The event proved a great success and aroused much interest both in the village and among visitors.

For many, it is often only on reaching retirement that youthful artistic aspirations can be indulged, and for them to show a picture in an exhibition for the first time and perhaps then for a stranger to buy it can be a wonderful thrill and enormous encouragement.

The first recorded committee meeting was held in July 1970. The club was by then called the Aberdyfi Art Society but it was soon to be changed to The Aberdyfi Art and Field Society - because some members were keen bird watchers or interested in the local flora and fauna, and walks were arranged for them in the Dyfi Forest and local bird sanctuaries.

In the spring of 1972 the exhibition was held for the first time in the Church Hall, a venue used annually for the following 20 years. In 1973 for the first time a buffet supper for members was held. It was a happy social occasion which was to become an annual event. These gatherings were extremely popular and on occasion followed by dancing. (It would seem that dancing was not confined only to such occasions! The author has been told that at the end of a class taken by 'Matty' Wright, the latter and Helen Pearce gave a lively demonstration of the tango. Those were the days!)

From time to time I have been asked how it is the society has survived and prospered for so long. The reasons are, I believe: firstly, the society caters foremost for the amateur. Pictures, for instance, are not selected for exhibition, all are accepted on an equal footing. Secondly, the continuing support and appreciation of visitors of the annual exhibition. Lastly, the friendships developed between the artists themselves during the classes and social events.