A corner store, once a year Evandale is transformed by the Glover Prize
Crowd come to cheer on the National Penny Farthing Championship riders during the Evandale Village Fair in February 2008.EVANDALE TODAYArtist John Glover, already a successful English painter settled in Deddington, Northern Tasmania in 1832, his property was just 20 kilometres from Evandale. The Glover Prize exhibition is held in Evandale each March over the long week-end. Evandale is a natural choice to host this rich painting award, a National Trust classified Georgian village, the township and beautiful countryside inspired Glover. He was prolific for the 14 years he painted in the area. The village was settled in 1811 as a military post and named Evandale in 1836. In its hey day, 3000 people lived in the township and surrounding environs. These days the figure is around 1000, but the founding fathers planned well, High Street, the road into town, is still regarded as one of the most attractive historic main streets in Tasmania. Glover's eldest son, John Richardson Glover (1790-1868) sketched the buildings in the village, many still stand today. His drawings have been published in the book John Richardson Glover Sketchbook of Evandale, by the John Glover Society; it's remarkable to take a stroll around the village with the book in hand, to see the buildings the Glovers would have seen, walked past and admired. Evandale is a buzzy township with a butcher, a baker and excellent coffee-makers. The shopping In Russell Street ranges from fine antiques and bric-a-brac to the latest fashions. Two colonial period pubs and many heritage B+Bs make visits comfortable. The not-to-be-missed market has had a huge following each Sunday morning, it's rich with historic finds and local farm produce. The Evandale Village Fair and National Penny Farthing championships are held annually on the last Saturday in February. The surrounding countryside is dotted with picturesque vineyards. Evandale, a jewel in Tasmania's architectural, decorative and fine arts crown and easily accessed as it's only five kilometres from Launceston airport. |
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