Music legend and art lover Vince Hill supporting Henley Arts Trail

Henley music legend and art lover Vince Hill is lending his support to the Henley Arts Trail, taking place at 20 venues in the Henley area over the Bank Holiday weekend (May 23-25).  

The Lower Shiplake resident is best known for his hit song ‘Edelweiss’, from ‘The Sound of Music’ soundtrack, which reached number two in the charts in 1967.  

Hill had a total of eight top 40 hits between 1966 and 1971, including ‘Take me to your heart again’ and ‘Look around (and you’ll find me there)’. 

 The 72-year-old has an extensive art collection that includes work by his friend Rolf Harris and a portrait by Bill Mundy of Hill with the Edelweiss score.   Hill has donated two paintings to the Henley Arts Trail Auction, a support event for the Henley Arts Trail, that is raising money for the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust.  

Hill has always been a keen supporter of the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust - and was able to witness their work first hand when a Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance helicopter landed in his garden to airlift a patient injured in an accident on the level crossing at Shiplake train station.   Hill’s garden was the closest landing site that could be found to the accident and he and his wife Annie watched on as the patient was whisked away for speedy treatment.  

“As a Henley resident and art lover myself, I wholeheartedly support the Henley Arts Trail and the work they are doing with their art auction to support the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Service,” said Hill. “The Air Ambulance provides an essential service that needs all our support to carry on doing the life saving work that they do.  

“The Henley Arts Trail is a fantastic opportunity for talented local artists to display their work in a way that is very accessible to the general public.   “The way the Henley Arts Trail has been put together makes it an interesting way to discover hidden corners of the local area, from Bix, Henley, Shiplake, Wargrave and Twyford to Waltham St Lawrence.   “We live in such a beautiful part of the world and it’s great to discover new parts that you didn’t know existed. The Henley Arts Trail is a real treasure trail!”  

Hill added: “It’s fascinating to see how and where some of these wonderful works of art are created. There is always something new to discover for young and old alike.   “There’s a tremendous variety of art on display and the high level of quality and creativity on offer always takes me aback.”  

 The two items Hill has donated to the Henley Arts Trail Auction are both oil paintings from his collection, one by Eric Mason of  ’Mousehole’ in Cornwall and the other an impressionist piece from the late 1800′s called ‘Poplars’ by Thalia Westcott, the French American painter.   These pieces compliment the other 13 items of original artwork donated by artists taking part in the Henley Arts Trail. The donated items of painting, glass, jewellery, ceramics, textiles and photography reflect the diversity and high quality of arts and crafts to be viewed on the Henley Arts Trail.  

The Henley Arts Trail Auction is a silent auction to raise funds for the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance. It runs until May 25 at Barn Acre Gallery in Wargrave.( www.barnacregallery.co.uk)  

To take part in the auction the general public are invited to fill in a bidding card at Barn Acre or place a bid online at www.henleyartstrail.com.   Bidding is open until May 25 when the highest bidder for each item will get to take home some of the region’s finest pieces of original artwork, knowing that their donation has helped support the vital, life-saving work done by the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust.  

The Henley Arts Trail features works of art at 20 venues in Henley, Shiplake, Bix, Lower Assendon, Wargrave, Twyford and Waltham St Lawrence.   More than 100 artists from Henley, Shiplake, Bix, Lower Assendon, Mill End, Wargrave, Twyford and Waltham St Lawrence are taking part.   Approximately 3,000 people attended the 2008 Henley Arts Trail.  

For more information about the Henley Arts Trail and the Henley Arts Trail auction, go to www.henleyartstrail.com.