SATURDAY’S very special Coffee Stop saw a wonderful turnout for the opening of the Trinity Hub Gallery.

As well as our regular coffee stoppers, we were pleased to welcome new families and friends, as well as the Ribble Valley Art4All crew, who were there to help us officially cut the ribbon.

The superb work of this local group is currently adorning the walls of our Rainbow Café and it really is a stunning display of colour.

Jo Troughton, a former curator, who currently runs the Creation Station sessions at Trinity, came up with the idea for the hub gallery. She recognised that Trinity was the perfect space to exhibit community art, and she will be in charge of the monthly programme of exhibitors.

She said: “Art, and particularly the Art4All display, sits so perfectly with the ethos of Trinity, they were the obvious choice for the first gallery.”

Art4All provides classes free of charge for adults who are disadvantaged or have special needs. Classes are mainly taught by Frankie Freeman Ruddock and occasionally by her husband Dermod Ruddock, or a guest artist. They teach a range of skills and styles. The artwork on display at Trinity is one of their most recent projects.

Speaking about being the first group to exhibit, Frankie said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to showcase the work that our students produce and feel very privileged to be the first exhibitor in this beautiful new space.
“ For everyone at Art4All it is crucial to feel part of the community and have a feeling of self-worth within it. The welcome our students have experienced at Trinity into the church as well as the exhibition and community has been immeasurable.”

Pictured here are Frankie and Dermod from Art4All, our lovely Claire, cutting the ribbon to open the gallery, Rev Ian kicking off the opening speeches and Jo Troughton, who has brought the project to life.