LOCAL people have until January 3 to catch up with ‘Place of Pilgrimage: the Marches’, a new exhibition of watercolours at Worcester Cathedral.

It its an exhibition that explores the mythical wonders and stirring history of the local area, including the Malverns.

Artist Scott Massie said of his paintings: “There are places which draw us, places which have always drawn us, whether our pilgrimage is historical, religious, literary, legendary or personal. Sometimes the reasons are clear, sometimes not, but we all know that thrill which touches the heart when we stand in a special place.

“For many years I’ve been going to places which are special to me or to others to see what they are like and try to put my impressions in paint and ink. The result of this was a touring exhibition and a book entitled Places of Pilgrimage. This led to an invitation from Rory Chase of the Ludlow Palmers to create an exhibition rooted in the Marches – an area I knew a little, enough to know there were a number of places I wanted to see and paint.”

He added: “Like many others, I have now seen Kilpeck’s extraordinary carvings, A.E. Houseman’s “blue remembered hills”, the Malverns which inspired Elgar, the first iron bridge and the fan-vaulted cloisters of Gloucester. I have walked in the footsteps of Roger Mortimer, Ralph Vaughan Williams and King Charles I. Stories and legends have pulled me to holy wells, apple orchards and ancient castles and this exhibition is the result. I hope something of the atmosphere of these places calls to you as it has called to me.’

The exhibition of watercolours, ‘Place of Pilgrimage: the Marches’ by Ian Scott Massie, will be on display in the Deans Chapel all through December to Thursday, January 3.

Canon Dr Georgina Byrne said: ‘We are delighted to welcome this exhibition to the cathedral, itself a ‘place of pilgrimage’ for many – past and present.

“We hope that today’s pilgrims will pause and draw inspiration from these exquisite landscapes.”