THE first meeting of the year for the Lickey Hills Arts Society was on Saturday February 1, when Cheryl Clayton demonstrated drawing animals using pastel.

The meetings are held at Longbridge Methodist Church Hall, Bristol Road, Rednal B45 9TY, and they start at 7.30pm.

Visitors are always welcomed at a cost of £3 – which would be refunded should the visitor join the society.

This year, the society is looking to increase its membership and so is reaching out to anyone thinking of taking up this hobby or wanting to meet up with likeminded people in a friendly atmosphere.