I have been drawing and painting since my mother bought a pack of plain postcards after the end of WWII.  On these I would design and colour caravans and dresses.  In the 1950s my school regularly submitted my artwork to The Royal Drawing Society and I was awarded certificates and on one occasion a book prize on Botticelli!  

Later on in life I completed a City and Guilds Creative Embroidery course where I fell in love with designing and heraldry.  I taught heraldry in Bournemouth U3A, taking members to St. George’s chapel, Windsor to view the banners. I have travelled throughout Dorset giving talks to WI members on heraldry. With my illustrated heraldic flip chart and cards of various coats of arms I would challenge the members to identify certain symbols in the coats of arms.  I have written guide books on the hatchments in Lulworth Weld family church, the church at Bere Regis and Breamore Church.  I have been told by a guide that they still refer to my book when guiding visitors round Breamore church!

For the last five years I have contributed an entry on an envelope to 'A letter in Mind' for the National Brain Appeal charity where all envelopes are sold anonymously for £85 in the autumn.  Contributors are often famous people.  Please consider submitting an entry, details can be found on their website. 

Fordingbridge Art Club is a friendly informative club and I enjoy my membership immensely.
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Email: joyalderson@icloud.com
Website: joyalderson.wordpress.com