A stunning painting, commissioned to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, will be unveiled at an exhibition today (Wednesday).

Created by artist Brian Cornwell, it depicts both Allied and Enemy planes flying over Dover Castle - the very landmark that the piece was created to support.

For it was commissioned by Graham Hutchison, chairman of the Friends of Dover Castle to commemorate the air campaign that raged over our skies between July 10 to October 31, 1940.

The Mayor of Dover Cllr Gordon Cowan will perform the unveiling at Dover Arts Centre in the Co-Innovation Centre, Stembrook Lane, at 11am.

The exhibition, which includes more of Mr Cornwell’s work, will then run until October 31.

Mr Hutchison said: “At the same time as the unveiling, we are holding a raffle of another of Brian’s paintings he donated to us to raise funds and also he has donated his latest painting for an auction, again for us to raise funds.”

The auction piece shows Dover Castle in the night from the Esplanade, and the raffle piece shows the wintry fortress with a snowy foreground.

The public event gives people the chance to meet Brian Cornwell, learn about the Friends of Dover Castle and discover the benefits of being members.

Gallery visitors can also buy a raffle ticket to be in with a chance of winning an original piece of art.

Mr Hutchison added: “The commissioned painting will not be raffled or auctioned but will remain the property of The Friends.”

The group is trying to negotiate with English Heritage to identify a suitable place within the castle for it to go on display.

The Friends of Dover Castle is a voluntary, not for profit membership association set up to support and promote the castle, known as ‘The Key to England’.

Current projects are Constables Tower and Join Us - Join in. The latter resulted in the group being awarded a DDC Local Community Grant of £500 which enabled the purchase of equipment to help volunteers increase membership.

It is also a good cause beneficiary in the new Dover Lotto.

If you are unable to make the exhibition and want to find out more about joining the charity, visit dover-castle-friends.org

For more news on entertainment, days out and exhibitions across Kent click here.

To see more of the artist’s work you can search Brian Cornwell on Facebook

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