Mary Reid

The firefighters in these photos taken yesterday are not professionals at all. They were young people who had just completed a one week course at New Malden Fire Station as part of the LIFE (Local Intervention Fire Education) project.

The idea is to give a real sense of achievement to young people who need to find direction and purpose in their lives. 

The scheme is run all over London, and Kingston works with Merton and Sutton to provide joint courses several times a year.

I was full of admiration for the participants who had overcome fear or lack of self-confidence and had built real teams over the week.

The instructors awarded certificates to each of those who had completed the course, and publicly praised each one for the personal qualities they had displayed.

In the evening we had a delightful time at the opening of the Kingston Contemporary Open Art Exhibition at the Stanley Picker Gallery.  I have loved this venue ever since it was opened, and its spaces were used very effectively to display the art works, all of which were created by Kingston artists in the last two years.

This show is also billed as an exhibition of affordable art, and the pieces certainly priced at a level that compares well with the reproductions you can buy in the department stores. How much better to own an original piece, knowing that it is encouraging living artists to carry on exploring, experimenting and creating.

The judges announced Lizzie Brewer as the 2007 Spotlight Artist, which means that she will be able to put on a mini exhibition in next year's show. 

This picture shows the painter Jason Bowyer (left) who joined the judging panel, talking with with David Falkner, Director of the gallery.