THERE'S lots going in at Under the Edge Arts in Wotton in the coming weeks, kicking off this weekend with a landmark exhibition of early works work by renowned local artist Roy Hewish on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 May.

Roy Hewish, is best known as a popular local landscape artist of the last decades of the twentieth century. This remarkable exhibition looks back at the early years of Roy's career, when he was developing his style from sketches to more experimental paintings, a style that was influenced by his friend and renowned artist, Kenelm Cox.

Works on display this exhibition are on loan from the private collections of Roy himself and his family and friends. This unique collection gives an insight into the kind of images Roy Hewish was producing before he developed his later pastoral style which so many were familiar with.

The exhibition will be open in the Chipping Hall Wotton-Under-Edge, GL12 7AD from 10am until 4pm on both days, and entrance is free of charge.

Also this Saturday, UTEA is hosting one of the finest banjo players in the UK. As well as being a superb singer, songwriter and guitarist, Dan Walsh is described as 'the real deal' (Uncut) and 'taking the banjo into the stratosphere' (Froots) with a unique and eclectic style taking in folk, funk, bluegrass, jazz, rock and even Arabic! His high-energy performances and witty banter have made him one of the most exciting new talents around, a fact that has been recognised with his nomination for BBC Folk Musician of the Year 2016.

Dan has produced three critically acclaimed albums, to date with his new album 'Incidents and Accidents' receiving excellent reviews. As well as many tours of the UK, Dan also has successful trips to Canada, Germany, India, Norway and New Zealand that are cementing his international reputation as a sensational banjo player and performer.

The performance starts at 8pm in the Chipping Hall, Wotton-Under-Edge, GL12 7AD and tickets cost £10/£8. Tickets can be booked online at www.utea.org.uk or by calling 07791 323869. Tickets will also be available on the door, subject to availability. For more information please go to www.utea.org.uk or www.danwalshbanjo.co.uk

Looking ahead to next week, Americana band the Open Secrets are returning to Wotton to play their show, 'Tangled up in Dylan' at the Chipping Hall on Saturday, May 21.

Best known for writing and performing self-penned material the Open Secrets re-leased their second album 'Rain upon the Sea' in 2016. The album has already featured in Maverick Magazine and the FATEA Download Sessions as well achieving radio airplay on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Open Secrets band prides itself on performing original material in the Americana tradition, but over several months an idea took hold, to develop a project interpreting and performing the songs of Bob Dylan - and it’s proven very popular!

The band, take their name, 'The Open Secrets ' from the collection of short stories of the same name by Canadian writer Alice Munro,

The Open Secrets combine the best of modern country and old-time mountain music, their brand of Americana will put you in mind of Ryan Adams and Gillian Welch. The Open Secrets, however, write and play with an emotional intensity that is all their own.

This band brings the dustbowl tradition into the 21st Century, their songs are populated by drunks, losers and drifters. But every once in a while love wins out and the guy gets the gal. To find out more, visit their website at www.theopensecrets.co.uk.

The performance starts at 8pm in the Chipping Hall in Wotton-Under-Edge, GL12 7AD and tickets cost £9/£7. Tickets can be booked online at www.utea.org.uk or by calling 07791 323869. Tickets may also be purchased on the night subject to availability.