Silchester woman who cycled across Africa hosting arts exhibition

A SILCHESTER explorer who cycled across Africa in 2019 is holding an arts exhibition of her paintings from her journey.

Sandi Smithers, 72, completed the epic ‘Ride the Rift’ challenge in November 2019 – an eight-day, 300km cycle trek across Kenya, raising more than £4,400 for charity in the process.

She started near the capital Nairobi, before heading south to Lake Magadi and onwards to the heart of the Great Rift Valley and the dramatic wildlife-rich plains of the Maasai Mara.

Over the last 18 months, Mrs Smithers has been doing paintings in watercolour and acrylic based on her ride, as well as others from around Berkshire and North Hampshire.

An exhibition of her paintings will be held this Saturday in Silchester Village Hall from 11am to 5pm.

The paintings, as well as prints and cards of the paintings, will be available for sale at the exhibition, the proceeds of which will go towards her next project – ‘Ride Uganda’ – scheduled to take place in November.

The exhibition will also include paintings and photos by Sue Phillips, supporting Touch & See Books by Living Paintings Kingsclere.