Next Art in the Park Sketching Day: Tuesday 31 October at Gillespie Park, Drayton Park, Highbury N5 1PH

We are going to make another visit to Gillespie Park, following our rained-out attempt in June.

October should be full of autumn colour in Islington's flagship nature park and we very much hope that we will get a nice sunny day!

There are several smallish meadows, areas of woodland, several ponds, with bridges and reflections.  Lots of details, including a map of the Park, can be found here

We will meet at 11 o’clock, when we will be greeted by a member of the Ecology Centre’s staff.   The Islington Ecology Centre is close to the Drayton Park entrance, and contains within it the all-important lavatories.    The Park has various access points: Drayton Park, Gillespie Road, Quill Street and Seven Sisters Road.    The nearest tube station is Arsenal, but Finsbury Park is close to the northern extremity of the Park.   Drayton Park overground station is also close.    The following buses go reasonably close: 4, 19, 236.

There is no catering in the Ecology Centre, so we have decided to go on to Blighty Coffee, which is a cafe on the Blackstock Road up near Finsbury Park Station. (Address: 35-37 Blackstock Road, N4 2JF).    Its interior bristles with things to draw, with a British wartime emphasis.   A good series of photos can be seen here    They change the decor around, last time we went there were various aeroplanes suspended from the ceiling downstairs.  The food is delicious.

We suggest that you bring your sketching stools, as there are seats around but not necessarily where you want them, and we look forward to seeing everyone.    Sue’s telephone number for the day is: 07975 864142.