Art enthusiasts previewed paintings at Ulverston Society of Artists’ reception at the Coronation Hall

South Lakes artist Tiana Marie opened the preview, introduced by former chairman of the society Daphne Delamere.

Everyone was impressed by the quality and range of paintings on display, said secretary John Llewellyn and half a dozen were sold that night.

Another ten paintings were sold by 10.30am the following morning, after the exhibition had only been open for half an hour to the general public.

One of the first to go was Eric Gleave’s watercolour After the Run, Bardsea, showing a pair of horses conversing after their morning exercise on the sands.

More than 130 paintings were on show. The 50 artists whose pictures were chosen ranged from well-known names to new members.

Alan Collister, a new recruit, proved his experience in watercolours with a beautifully-lit Walney Island lighthouse and a finely executed Furness Abbey.

R. Stacey’s Lake District paintings in watercolour and pastel featured a dramatic use of colour, while the careful brush strokes of E. Young made Secret Garden a picture to study.

Patrons of Ulverston Society of Artists, businesspeople and mayoress Dorothy Richardson were among more than 100 guests at a preview of the society’s 31st annual exhibition in the Coronation Hall in September 1989.

More than 100 watercolours, oils, miniatures and acrylics were on show in the exhibition.

Miniature and landscape artist Jennifer Buxton, plus old favourites like Eric Gleave and Douglas Hyslop, all had paintings on show.

And among the new names was Allan Russell, who specialised in animal portraits and boats; oil painter Daphne Goddard; and Mr and Mrs Arthur and Anne Fawbert, of Coniston.

Former treasurer Brian Ashburner made a welcome return with an acrylic, Giggleswick Bank.