Painters give art to fund world-class music studies

A collection of paintings by nationally-renowned artists is on show in Falmouth this week before being auctioned in aid of young classical musicians of the future.

The exhibition, which includes work by Jeremy Annear, Ken Howard, Rose Hilton and Jeremy Le Grice, will go under the hammer at Christie's in South Kensington on December 12.

Donated by the artists themselves or their families, proceeds from their sale will go to support the work of the International Musicians Seminar Prussia Cove, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The 20 paintings can be seen at Falmouth Art Gallery until November 30.

IMS Prussia Cove is one of the most respected short course seminars in the world and for four decades it has offered musicians from across the globe the opportunity to participate in seminars that are unique in both their approach and environment.

Founded in 1972 by the great Hungarian violinist Sandor Vegh – and now under the artistic direction of renowned British cellist Steven Isserlis – the seminars attract maestri of world standing who encourage traditional values of musicianship and develop the artistic potential of tomorrow's leading musicians.

A registered charity, IMS Prussia Cove puts on a number of concerts in Cornish churches and village halls each year. It also promotes an annual UK tour, which culminates at the Wigmore Hall in London.

Hilary Tunstall-Behrens, co-founder and programming director of IMS Prussia Cove, said: "The generosity of the artists and our sponsors, including Christie's and Falmouth Art Gallery, has been overwhelming. This is a collection of truly world-class work supporting world-class musicians of the future."

Artist Jeremy Annear, who organised the collection, added: "The concerts that IMS Prussia Cove have offered us in Cornwall have been astonishing in their variety and in their international quality and have been an inspiration. We are delighted to be supporting the organisation in the year of their 40th anniversary.

"IMS Prussia Cove runs two three-week seminars each year which provide an opportunity for musicians to visit a secluded part of Cornwall to study music and learn from each other, away from the pressures of the cities and concert tour life."

Admission to the exhibition at Falmouth Art Gallery is free. To view the auction catalogue, visit: www.i-m-s.org.uk/auction

OTHER EVENTS THIS WEEK

BARNSTAPLE

Castle Centre, Castle Street: North Devon Archaeological Society talk by Dr Tom Greeves 'West Dartmoor Farms' (ex-archaeologist, Dartmoor National Park). Members no charge, visitors £2.50. Tuesday, 7.30pm.

BIDEFORD

Methodist Church Hall: Chris Powell in concert, Bideford Keyboard and Organ Club. Admission members £2.50, visitors £4. Tuesday, 7.30pm.

BLACKWATER

Chiverton Arms: Chacewater Cricket Club Auction Night. Lots include signed Notts CCC bat. All welcome. Saturday, 8pm.

BLACK TORRINGTON

Village Hall: Craft and Table Top Sale. Saturday, 10am-noon.

BODMIN

St Petrocs Church: Wine-Tasting and Music. Admission £5. Friends of St Petrocs. Friday, 7.30pm.

BOSCASTLE

Village Hall: A Fast Jumble Sale. Saturday, 2pm.

BOVEY TRACEY

Holy Spirit Church Hall: Grand Fete Saturday, 10am to 12.30pm. All welcome.

Ullacombe Farm Shop Barn: Manaton Makers Christmas Fair. Fri and Sat, 10am-4pm.

BUDE

St Michael's Church: Bude Choral Society Concert Bach and Vivaldi. Saturday, 7.30pm.

Hanover House, Vicarage Road: Autumn Coffee Morning in aid of Bude/Stratton Branch of the British Heart Foundation. £1 entry, stalls, raffle etc. Friday, 10am.

BUGLE

Village Hall: Bingo. Monday, 7.30pm.

CALLINGTON

The Town Hall: Book Fair with Cornish author Debby Fowler who will be signing her latest novel. Free admission. Saturday, 10am-4pm.

CHULMLEIGH

Pavilion Playing Fields: Christmas Bazaar. Admission free. Saturday, 2-5pm.

DARTINGTON

Village Hall: Playford-style country dancing. Details: 01626 834981. Friday, 7.30pm.

EXETER

Westpoint: The New International Westpoint Antiques and Collectors Fair. Sat-Sun.

EXMOUTH

Withycombe Methodist church, Withycombe: Exmouth Folk Dance Club meet with Wendy Hoare and Jigs for Gigs. Thursday, 8pm.

FREMINGTON

St Peters Church Hall: Quiz Night. Teams of 4-6. Admission on the door. £3.50, soup, rolls etc. All profits to little Bridge House, Children's Hospice South West. Friday, 7 for 7.30pm.

GERRANS

The Royal Standard: Euchre Drive. Monday, 8pm.

GOLBERDON

South Hill Parish Hall: Christmas Whist Drive £2.50 in aid of St Sampson's Church. Wednesday, 7.30pm.

GOONHAVERN

Village Hall: Table top/car boot sale. Wednesday, 10am-2pm.

KINGSBRIDGE

Harbour House: A Creative Journey: an exhibition of paintings and drawings produced by Helen Petit. Daily, 10am-5pm; Sun, 11am-4pm. Opening Tuesday, December 2.

KINGSKERSWELL

Community Centre: Kingskerswell and District Conservation Society presentation by Phil Collins of William Pengelly, founder of the Torquay Natural History Society. Tuesday, 7.3pm.

LEUSDON nr ASHBURTON

Memorial Hall: Christmas Fayre & Bazaar. Saturday, 12-4pm. Stalls, toys etc, lunches and cream teas. All welcome.

LIFTON

Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre, Milford: Christmas Market, Saturday, 10am-4pm; Carol Service, Sunday, 2-5pm. Both in aid of the Children's Hospice South West.

MELDON

Village Hall: Okehampton Sequence Dance Club. £1.50 per person. Beginners welcome. Wednesday, 8pm-10.30pm.

NEWTON ABBOT

Courtenay Centre: Rebel Country presents Plain loco. Friday, 8pm-11pm. £6.

PAR GREEN

The Gott Hall: Par Old Cornwall Society meets with refreshments and Mr Albert Sanders who will speak on '65 years in the Pentewan Valley'. Suitable for wheelchairs. New members welcome. 01726 814286. Saturday, 7pm.

The Gott Hall: Prize bingo. Raffle and homemade supper. Wheelchair facilities. Visitors welcome. Thursday, 7.30pm.

PENSILVA

St John's Church: Autumn Bazaar. Stalls, cards, jewellery. Saturday, 2pm.

PLYMOUTH

Tothill Community Centre: Blood donor session, 1.15-3.15pm and 4.45-7.15pm. Ring 0300 123 23 23 to book.

Stoke Library, Devonport: Exhibition Monet and Friends. Library opening times. Until Dec 20.

Church of the Holy Spirit, Southway: Sing and Sup with the Devon Area Royal School of Music. Evening of singing. Tuesday, 7.30pm.

St Edwards Church Hall, Peverell: Plymouth Railway Circle. Swiss Railways Kaleidsocope by David Goodyear, slideshow. £1 members. £2 visitors. Monday, 7.30pm.

REDRUTH

Jubilee Hall, Redruth Methodist Church: Cornish Postcard, Postal History & Book Fair. Saturday, 10am-4pm.

Murdoch & Trevithick Centre: Christmas Fayre. Stalls, gifts, bric a brac, £1 stall and much more. All are welcome. Saturday, 2-4pm.

The Murdoch Room, YMCA: Cruse Bereavement Care meeting of Bude Friendship Group. Friday, 5-7pm.

RILLA MILL

Village Hall: St Melor's and St Paul's Annual Xmas Fayre, Saturday, 2pm. Details 01579 362602.

Village Hall: Whist Drive, Tuesday, 7.30pm.

SIDMOUTH

Manor Pavilion Theatre: The Magical Musicals. Songs from the West End Stage and Broadway. Ticket £13. Box Office 01395 514413. Friday, 7.30 p.m.

ST AUSTELL

St John's Methodist Church: A Variety Concert on Saturday at 7pm tickets on the door £3.00.

Wheal Martyn, Carthew: China Clay Museum, country park and walks etc. Daily, 10am-5pm.

ST BLAZEY

Alexander Hall: Mistletoe Market. Tombola, stalls. Facilities for the disabled. Saturday, 10am-noon.

ST BURYAN

Village Hall: Farmers Market. Saturday, 9.30-12.30pm.

ST ENDELLION

Church Hall: Whist Drive, Tuesday, 7.30pm.

TAVISTOCK

The Anchorage Centre: Tavistock Area Support Services Christmas Fair. Admission Free. Saturday, 10am-4pm.

United Reformed Church: Plymouth Gilbert & Sullivan Fellows The Wand'ring Minstrels. Tickets £8 from 01822 614801 or on the door. Saturday, 7.30pm.

The Wharf: Tavistock Youth Theatre presents 'Daisy Pulls It Off', Wed, Thurs and Friday 7.30pm; Viva Santana - music Saturday, 8pm; Skinny Molly Music, Sunday, 8pm.

TIVERTON

Museum of Mid Devon Life: Open Saturday 10am-6pm.

Centre: Tiverton Christmas Lights Switch On and Dickensian Fayre on Saturday.

TOPSHAM

St Margaret's Church Social Area: RSPB Exeter and District Local Group Christmas Fayre. Saturday, 10am-noon.

TORQUAY

Princess Theatre: Slade and Sweet. Thursday 7.30pm; Jimmy Carr, 'Gagging Order', Sunday, 7.30pm.

The Babbacombe Theatre: Christmas Starlight. Wednesday, 2.30pm and 8.15pm; Stewart Francis, comedian, Saturday, 7.30pm.

TOTNES

Methodist Church Hall: Totnes Folk Club night Thursday, 7.30pm.

TREWOON

Village Hall: Elizabeth Harrison from Lancashire in concert for St Austell Organ & Keyboard club. Non-members £6.50. All welcome. Wednesday, 7.30pm.

TRURO

Hall for Cornwall: Country market. Tuesday, 9.15-3pm.

High Cross: Children's Hospice South West stalls. Friday all day: Truro Choral Society 50th Anniversary Concert, cathedral. Saturday, 7.30pm.

WADEBRIDGE

Town hall: The parish of St Breoke and Egloshayles in Wadebridge Christmas Bazaar. Cakes, games, toys etc. All welcome. Saturday, 10am-noon.