THE ARTS SOCIETY WALTON ON THE HILL: JUNE 2017 NEWSLETTER

Established 1974
Riddell Hall, Deans Lane, Walton-on-the-Hill KT20 7UL : http://www.waltononthehilldfas.org.uk/Default.aspx

Chairman Richard Seymour

JUNE 2017 NEWSLETTER
Vol 2 No 6
[If you're viewing this on a Tablet, it is probably best to do so in 'landscape' format]

..... first news of the Lecture on Thursday 15th June....

Shakers of North America

Speaker: John Ericson

John graduated from the University of Sussex in 1972 spending his early career as a master at Cranbrook School. After 10 years he returned to his studies at the University of Wales where he became interested in educational research. A career in teacher education followed, culminating at the University of Bath.

There he specialised in course design & evaluation, and teaching presentation skills to his academic colleagues. He lives in Salisbury but has worked extensively overseas as a consultant in teaching and learning.

The Shakers (the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing) are a religious sect that began as an off-shoot of Quakers (Shaking Quakers) in Manchester in the mid-1700s. Their founder, Ann Lee, and eight followers settled in Watervliet, New York in 1774 to avoid persecution in England.

At its height in the mid-1800s, Shakerism had over 5,000 "brothers & sisters" in 18 communities (societies), in New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia & Florida. Now, there's only a handful of Shakers left in New Hampshire & Maine.

The Shakers of North America have left an enduring and intriguing legacy and in this presentation John Ericson explores why there is still so much interest in them today, examining examples of their beautiful buildings, furniture and artefacts. He looks at the origins, beliefs and way of life of this fascinating sect. So do join us for what should be an interesting and rather different talk.

& WHILST MENTIONING LECTURES... ...those of you on our NORFOLK 2014 Tour will remember that, whenever he had a spare moment, Brian Ingram was always busy sketching; indeed we subsequently included one of his watercolours – Flatford Mill in Constable country – on the jacket of the Tour album.

Also, of course, his sketch of the two swans on the Walton "Mere Pond" is still to be found on our website click here and, prior to "Re-branding" they featured on our letter headings and compliments slips! Well, Brian's been at it again because last month, when the rest of us were listening intently to our speaker, Viv Lawes, telling us about The East India Company, Brian was also busy sketching again, and here is the result - thanks Brian!

Chairman’s Report on
the NADFAS AGM/The Arts Society AGM

The NADFAS AGM was held in Birmingham this year. It followed the normal procedure but the overriding presence in the room was the change of name. NADFAS was said to have been ‘the best hidden organisation in plain sight’. The NADFAS acronym was opaque to a large part of the community, and if it was known it was associated with middle England. Under The Arts Society, the same high values of the organisation will be maintained and we are still the largest arts society in the country.

There was a message from the Patron of NADFAS, the Duchess of Gloucester, who strongly endorses the change of name and is pleased to continue her patronage. It is believed that Patricia Fay our founder would have wanted, and endorsed, the change to get in front of the acanthus. There are now 382 societies with 97,000 members worldwide and one organisation.

Congratulations - all NADFAS members are now members of The Arts Society.

To see the Chairman’ Report in full it is important to click here.

VISITS

                                      Backstage Tour
                                            of the
                        National Theatre
                                                             and

                    Guided Tour around South Bank
                              with Sarah Fordham

         T Thursday 07 September 2017

TICKETS £40.00 pp

At 9:45 am on Thursday 15 June, prior to the meeting, Tickets will first go on sale for this very interesting day in town with our old friend, registered guide, Sarah Fordham.

It's not very often one has the chance to go back stage anywhere, so a tour behind the scenes of The National is not to be missed. All-in-all this should be a fascinating day because in the afternoon Sarah

and her colleague, Caroline Dale, will be taking us on a walk around the South Bank, not only home to The National and The Festival Hall but much, much more. For full details, click here & scroll to 07 September.

So, to be in with a chance, make sure you're at the head of the queue!

___________________________________________

Illustrative map only, merely to depict the South Bank Area

TOURS - BUDAPEST 2017

10 - 16 SEPTEMBER 2017

A brief note for those booked on BUDAPEST 2017: the final date to settle the balance of your account with Success Tours is Monday 3 July. No other reminder will be sent as you should have received your 'final invoice' when Success confirmed your booking last autumn.

If you have a problem, our contact for the Tour is Tracey Howes on 01225 715051.

...AND NOW A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY IN 2018

National Chairman’s 50th Anniversary Lunch

June Robinson, National Chairman of The Arts Society, will be presiding over a special Lunch to be held at Epsom Grandstand on Friday 20th April 2018.

It is hoped Loyd Grossman, President of The Arts Society will also be there.

Please contact Ann Madden if you would like to attend and celebrate the society’s 50th birthday, by clicking on this e-mail link: ajmadden7@gmail.com
____________________

It's been suggested that local art groups could display work for sale, with a percentage of any purchase going towards The Arts Society Young Arts projects. If you're involved with such a group, please contact Ann about this too.
____________________

The pictures show June Robinson with a portrait of founder, Patricia Fay, in the background; and, below, Epsom's dining facilities.

LOST AND FOUND

As stated previously - after the 18 May meeting we found a scarf (fish motif), and a 'pocket umbrella' (black & decorated with umbrella silhouettes) - see photo below, showing both in one shot.

It's uncertain if they were left behind 'together'. They were in the 3rd row from the front, right of the central aisle and have still NOT been claimed! If you think they might be yours please phone:

01737 858382

IN CONCLUSION...

Don't forget that next week is our annual MEMBERS' SUMMER LUNCH meeting, which is definitely something to look forward to...

.... and finally, just in case I wasn’t the ONLY member of the society to initially be confused by reference, in the Chairman’s AGM Report, to "getting in front of the acanthus”, I should perhaps explain that the former NADFAS logo did in fact depict, heraldically, an acanthus flower. Indeed a few years ago NADFAS published an historical book about the society entitled “Behind the Acanthus: The NADFAS Story” - so now, of course, the Chairman’s erudite words make total sense!

Until next week, then.

With very best wishes.

David Tinkler
Newsletter Editor, Website Co-ordinator
& Tours' Secretary
THE ARTS SOCIETY WALTON ON THE HILL

7 June 2017

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Walton-on-the-Hill DFAS · NADFAS House · Guilford Street · London, WC1N 1DA · United Kingdom