Uxbridge SODA Groups use their regular group meetings to explore a wide variety of subjects, often inspired by their group outings, as well as to learn new skills through demonstrations from professional artists. They also organise frequent subsidised day trips and outings and have lately been on a boat trip in Windsor, to the Chiltern Open Air Museum and to Higginson Park in Marlow. They recently had a joint party with Ickenham Group to celebrate SODA's 40th anniversary. To find out more about the occasion see our 40 Years of SODA page.
There are two SODA groups in Uxbridge that meet on different days with only the group leader attending both groups. They frequently however go on outings together and submit shared reports to the SODA Magazine so they are grouped together here on one page to prevent confusion.
See below for reports and photos of Uxbridge Group's recent activity. For further images of their work, visit the online gallery.
There are two SODA groups in Uxbridge that meet on different days with only the group leader attending both groups. They frequently however go on outings together and submit shared reports to the SODA Magazine so they are grouped together here on one page to prevent confusion.
See below for reports and photos of Uxbridge Group's recent activity. For further images of their work, visit the online gallery.
Our groups meet at The Salvation Army, 16b Cowley Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2LT weekly, with one group meeting on Wednesdays from 12–2pm and the other group on Thursdays from 1–3pm.
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Recent activity
On a grey Thursday morning our group set off to visit RHS Wisley; 40–50 minutes later we arrived to blue skies and sun, albeit a little windy. We visited in September last year during a transformation of the welcome building, so everyone was keen to see the new building with its improved entrance with a spacious arrival hall, 100 seater restaurant, cafe and shop. Wisley is a beautiful garden, but is huge and needs to be visited 3–4 times to really appreciate it, and I think everyone enjoyed our second visit as can be seen by some of the paintings below.
In August 2018 our great friend, and long time member of SODA, Josie West, died and we miss her as she was a part of our group for many years. She suffered medical problems but never complained, preferring to dwell on the happier side of life. In October this year we celebrated her time with us, which she would have so enjoyed.
On the 5th December we celebrated Christmas lunch during our group meeting, but have held over going out for Christmas until the New Year to give us something to look forward to.
In August 2018 our great friend, and long time member of SODA, Josie West, died and we miss her as she was a part of our group for many years. She suffered medical problems but never complained, preferring to dwell on the happier side of life. In October this year we celebrated her time with us, which she would have so enjoyed.
On the 5th December we celebrated Christmas lunch during our group meeting, but have held over going out for Christmas until the New Year to give us something to look forward to.
On 11th July, 18 of us went to Kew Gardens and it was very, very hot and humid. The gardens are beautiful but spread over a large area which can make it more difficult for our less able members. On the evening of our visit an outdoor concert was to be held, so, whilst touring the gardens, very enjoyable music could be heard. Everyone is now tackling their paintings, a project which will be completed for the next issue of the magazine. Below are some recently completed works.
40th anniversary party
Uxbridge SODA groups, together with Ickenham SODA group, enjoyed a shared party on 17th May to celebrate the 40th anniversary of SODA. Thanks go to Vida for organising the event, Ann and Betty for the food and to Joy for arranging the raffle and music.
Our group meetings recommenced again early in January and, because we had not managed to have our Christmas lunch prior to the holiday, at least we had that to look forward to. On 7th February a group of us went for lunch to a restaurant in Ruislip which proved to be very enjoyable with great food and company.
We havre recently welcomed a new member, Vera, who joined us this year after suffering a stroke. Vera could not hold a pencil easily but started colouring in pictures. She has progressed so well that she has now created her first painting, shown below.
We havre recently welcomed a new member, Vera, who joined us this year after suffering a stroke. Vera could not hold a pencil easily but started colouring in pictures. She has progressed so well that she has now created her first painting, shown below.
"19 of our group went to RHS Wisley to enjoy a hot, beautiful day walking around the excellently maintained grounds, having lunch in one of the restaurants and, of course, visiting the gift shop! To enable us to claim funding an art project must be undertaken on the trip and some of those paintings can be seen here. As you can imagine, these grounds are quite extensive, so we managed to view the right-hand side of the gardens and hope to visit again in the future to see the left-hand side!"
