“After retiring in 2016 from the Engineering Department at the 42” Pipe Mill, I realised I needed something else to help keep me occupied and my mind active – I didn’t realise how much time I had to fill after retiring. I joined the Artrium in June 2017 after being referred by Hartlepool Mind. Not having any experience with painting since I left school, I decided I would have a go using water colours. The working atmosphere in the Artrium is very friendly and relaxed and I have benefited greatly with the help and encouragement from members and volunteers at Artrium. I find painting very relaxing and helps me to overcome anxiety and stress. Much of my work is created/inspired by photographs of landscapes and buildings etc., of my local area. I feel that with the help from Artrium I am making progress with developing my skills – not only creatively through painting and drawing, but also mentally in building my confidence and self-esteem. It has helped me to keep my mind active and to overcome/cope with anxiety. Furthermore, I get enormous pleasure from working and talking with the other members.For some time, I have felt that I should be starting to explore other mediums other than water colour paints. To that end I decided to use Acrylic Paints to paint a picture of the Beam Engine at Tees Cottage – Darlington. Also, after talking to Michael, a member of staff in the Gallery, I decided to have a go at drawing using pen and ink. I used a photograph from the Hartlepool Mail of the ‘U’ and ‘O’ Presses at the 44” Pipe Mill. After experimenting with different line types and encouragement from Michael, I finally managed to produce the picture which is currently on display in the Gallery. I have visited this again and painted the same picture in water colours. Also, I have drawn the ‘U’ Press on A3 paper. Ultimately my aim is to paint this using oil paints and on a much larger scale. Currently I am working on a pencil drawing of the ‘O’ Press on A3 paper.My other interests are walking around the local area and further away in the Yorkshire Dales, the Durham Dales and Northumberland. Walks have included: around Reeth in Swaledale, Teesdale between Barnard Castle and Couldron Snout. Weardale around St. John’s Chapel. In Northumberland around Corbridge and Breamish Valley near WoolerI am interested in local history, in particular the history of the iron and steel Industry in Hartlepool. Also, archaeology is something I have been involved with for a long time and have worked on a number of excavations in Hartlepool. Other sites I have worked on included Barnard Castle, Thrislington, near Ferryhill, Castle Eden and 4 days at Bearsden – a Roman Fort on the Antonine Wall. Not only excavation work, but have had experience in surveying sites, recording finds etc.Other interests include photography, mainly landscapes and buildings – I always carry a pocket camera when I am out walking. Also, I have been researching my Family History for the last 20 years. I have used records in the Hartlepool Reference Library. Also, from the National Archives in London, National Maritime Museum at Greenwich and as far away as the Maritime History Archive in Newfoundland. Most of my research has been carried out at the Family History Centre in BillinghamFinally – Tees Cottage Pumping Station at Darlington. This is a preserved water pumping station and originally supplied water to Darlington and the surrounding area. There are two engines both in working order and are run on several open days during the year. I have been a volunteer here for many years helping to maintain and run the engines. Since I retired, I have been attending the workdays with other volunteers on a Wednesday when most of the maintenance work is carried out. “