Andy Beck's fundraising talk will paint a unique picture of The Lakes

A TEESDALE artist will give an illustrated talk about his labour of love next month.

For the past ten years, Andy Beck has been completing a unique project on the Lake District fells – resulting in the production of a 360-page limited edition book, The Wainwrights in Colour.
His task has been to find and locate every single location that master fell walker Alfred Wainwright visited to take his photographs for his pen and ink illustrations for his seven Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells.
The drawings by Wainwright were produced in the 1950s and 1960s so Andy’s detailed watercolour sketches not only add colour to these scenes but also record the changes in the landscape over the past 50 years.
Obtaining every one of these 1,500 references has meant that Mr Beck has had to become acquainted with the fells in a more intimate way than most regular walkers.
The weather, light and conditions have all played a major part in this challenge. Mr Beck, from Bowes, said: “I spent long days out on the fells covering miles of rough terrain to quiet nights wild-camping on the mountain tops under a star filled sky.
“The evening’s talk contains the interesting, funny and moving anecdotes that explain the trials and tribulations of this ten-year journey”.
Entrance to the illustrated talk in Bowes Village Hall on Friday, May 12, will be £5, or £2 for students, payable on the door.
Mr Beck is running the event as a fundraiser for Bowes Carnival.
Rosie Bettison, who is helping to organise the evening, said: “We are thrilled that Andy is presenting his story in the village hall. It’s an inspired and inspirational project – and I can’t wait to see the book.”
The event starts at 7.30pm. Door and bar will be open from 7pm. Those wishing to make a reservation for the event may phone Rosie or Mike Bettison on 01833 628343.