Artist Leonard Rodwell of Blackpool has made a remarkable gift to Trinity Hospice – over 300 of his paintings.

Mr Rodwell, who is being cared for by Trinity’s community nurses, contacted our retail team several weeks ago and asked if his collection, built up over many years, could benefit the hospice in some way.

Astounded at the quality and scale of Mr Rodwell’s art collection, the Trinity team asked the Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool to take a look and were delighted when around 50 of the paintings were accepted into the ‘Collections’ exhibition, which has just opened.

Mr Rodwell and his wife recently visited the gallery to see the paintings displayed.

There are scenes of the Pleasure Beach, the St Annes kite festival, Lytham Windmill and many more, and they make a fascinating sight.

Amazingly, Mr Rodwell had no formal art training, and only started painting when he was in his 40s. Many of his works depict local scenes now long gone, making the pictures an important part of the Fylde coast’s social history.

The Collections exhibition runs at the Grundy Art Gallery until January – it is free to enter. Go along if you can.    

When the exhibition ends, the hope is that the paintings will be sold, with all the proceeds coming to Trinity.

Mark Johnson, from Trinity’s retail team said: “I was amazed when I first saw the collection. It is a hugely kind and generous gift.”