Gallery keeps it local (From Romsey Advertiser)

Gallery keeps it local

9:04am Monday 30th April 2012 in Hampshire Business By Richard Garfield

A NEW lifestyle concept store called Gallery Fifty Five has opened in Hartley Wintney.

The new venture has been set up by Freda James and can be found in the High Street, selling a range of paintings, prints, etchings and drawings as well as gifts, jewellery and soaps.

Freda has taken out a five-year lease on the premises, which was previously a gift shop.

“I signed the deeds for the lease on my 55th birthday, which is why I called the business Gallery Fifty Five,” explained Freda.

“I’ve always had a real passion for the arts,” said Freda, who recently studied a foundation course in arts and design.

Freda, who enjoys quilting, sells some of her own textile art in the shop along with promoting local artists such as Nigel Moores, Andrew Lievesely, Michael Walsh Sands, Michael Topham, Caroline Jackman, Lucy Burley, Sally Winter.

She said that the business has been well received by local residents.

“Hartley Wintney is such a wonderful village – the people are very community-orientated here,” said Freda, who has just opened The Little Tea Shop as part of the gallery business selling a range of hand-made cakes and biscuits, tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

Freda also runs a range of workshops at the gallery, including painting, knitting, crochet, felt making, and cake decorating for all levels of ability.