Olivia Schrader, who also took the Thai art course, is pictured next to her piece. (0956490)

ENTHUSIASTIC artists produced pieces based on Thai temple designs at the Pre Studio earlier this month.

Michael Haynes-Smallbone devised the class after visiting the Far East on holiday.

‘I went to Thailand and brought back some black-and-white designs,’ he said. ‘They were 18th-century ones from a sampler book of temple icons and I suggested club members draw their own inspirations and base pieces on features that interested them. What I like to do is go away on holiday with a notebook and bring back any design and painting ideas and offer them to the club.’

Michael praised the 10 women who took the class over five afternoons in mid-April.

‘The class was taken with enthusiasm and everyone enjoyed it. I think it’s the first time we’ve covered the walls of the studio with work following a class. All the work is very variable.’

Michael reserved special praise for Jean Llewellyn’s work, which he described as the best in show.

‘Jean’s has a directness and honesty about it which reflects the personality of the artist. It has great charm.’

Jean said: ‘I chose to work on this particular piece because the lady’s looking in the mirror. I wanted people to see my work of her. I’m pleased with the result.’

University student Olivia Schrader also took the course while she was visiting her grandmother, Elizabeth Schrader, over Easter.

Olivia, who is originally from Peru, said: ‘I’ve found that Thai art has to be really precise and exact. I’m pleased with my work as I haven’t done any painting in 10 years. I’m used to writing, not painting.’

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Dr Susan Wilson visited Alderney to raise awareness of the Tumaini Fund. (0956487)

A dancing doctor visited the island at the weekend to raise awareness of the Tumaini Fund.

Susan Wilson, a GP at Guernsey’s Queen’s Road Medical Practice, set up the charity – which supports Aids widows and orphans in Kagera, north-west Tanzania – seven years ago.

The fund raised £300,000 last year and is aiming to break the £500,000 barrier in 2010. Every penny donated is passed on to the people of Kagera, as all expenses are covered by those involved with the charity.

Last Friday Susan gave a talk about the fund at the Methodist Church Hall. The next morning she danced in Victoria Street while wearing a traditional east African dress to help boost the fund-raising push. She also spoke in Swahili when islanders donated to the cause.

‘The Tumaini Fund is a charity operating from Guernsey and, as Alderney is part of the Bailiwick, I have come over to see if there is any interest in our work,’ said Susan.

‘Since 2003 we have supported more than 13,000 orphans in Kagera but there are 200,000 who remain unsupported. These children are going to bed with no food in their tummies and we need to help as many of them as possible.’

Susan has previously visited the island to talk to members of the Women’s Institute and Society of Friends.

‘The aim of this visit is to let people in Alderney know this is going on and to ask for their help. I’m sure people will be generous as they have been in the past.’

• Anyone interested in donating to the charity should visit www.tumainifund.org.uk.