Dear Members,

 This is my usual reminder about next Tuesday’slecture. Our lecturer, Peter Ross, will be bringing copies of his latest book, ‘Insatiable Appetites: Eating out in Georgian London’. We have a copy that we will be raffling and Peter will be bringing other copies that he will be selling at a reduced price. I’m sure it’s going to be very informative and entertaining morning. Don’t forget your pennies!

 Just another reminder about subscription forms: We will be giving these out again on Tuesday and at next month’s lecture. Can I ask that you pay either by BACs or by cheque. Could I also ask that you cancel any standing orders if you have one and choose one of the other ways to pay, as it makes life much easier for the Treasurer. Please return your forms, even if you have paid via BACs. If you have moved or changed your email or telephone number, we need to know.

 I hope you all have a super weekend  and I’m looking forward to seeing you all on Tuesday.

 Best regards

Annaliese

Chair

Dear Members,

 I hope you are all looking forward to the lecture next week. Oscar Wilde has always been a favourite topic of mine. I love his plays and quotations from his works and I’m very excited to have an expert, Simon Whitehouse, take on his life and work.

 Remember you can invite a guest for £7 (cash at the door). Please email Chris Smith (our Membership Secretary) to reserve a place. Her email address is gday2u@sky.com.

 Next week we will be issuing the subscription renewal forms. If you have moved house or changed your email address or telephone number, please be sure to return the form, so that your details can be updated. The subscription fee remains the same as last year (£60). It would help the Membership Secretary and our Treasurer enormously if you could pay by BACs. 

 I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday.

 Annaliese

Chair.

Dear Members,

 I do hope you are all well and enjoying today’s sunshine.

 This is your reminder that the Arts Society Ashford’’s next meeting is on Tuesday, March 17th. We  will also be holding our AGM before the lecture at 10.45. Coffee and tea will be available from 10.00. 

 The lecture this month is an unusual one, entitled ‘Art Transported’’ and considers the positioning and movement of paintings and statues. Chantal Brotherton-Ratcliffe is our lecturer and I’m sure she will give us all something to think about!

 I am looking forward to seeing you at the slightly earlier time.

 Best Wishes

Annaliese

Chair

Dear Members,

Here is your reminder that the Arts Society Ashford will be meeting again next Tuesday. This month Julia Musgrave will be telling us about James McNeill Whistler, famous for his art, wit and quarrelsome nature. This sounds like a really interesting lecture! 

 You might have heard that the hall has been having some heating issues. We have been assured that a new boiler will be installed in time for us! If the situation changes I will let you know, but temporary heating has been arranged.

 A little reminder to the people who have booked to go to Dover Priory and  Maison Dieu: Please bring cash or a cheque to pay for your place, please.

 Have a super weekend.  I look forward to seeing  you on Tuesday.

 With best wishes,

Annaliese

Chair

Dear Members,

 Just a little reminder that we are meeting next Tuesday, 9th December. The lecture, ‘The Music of the Caribbean’, with Graham Jones, sounds as if it should be full of fun and music! After the meeting there will be mulled wine and mince pies and I do hope that you will stay and enjoy them with us.

 In case you aren’t able come to the lecture, I wish all our members a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.

 Regards,

Annaliese

Chair

Dear Membersl,

 I hope you are all as excited as I am about next week’s lecture. I love my garden and seeing other gardens and I’m sure our lecturer, Patrick Connor, will have some wonderful images and lots of fascinating facts for us, which will brighten our days as we head into winter.

Before next Tuesday’s lecture we shall be selling raffle tickets for a prize of one of Patrick Conner’s books, ‘Oriental Architecture in the West.’ This focuses on the oriental influence on British gardens and buildings in the 18th and 19th centuries, thereby linking our raffle prize with the subject of his lecture. Proceeds from the raffle will support our society’s funds.

 I look forward to seeing you on November 18th and hope you have an enjoyable weekend.

 With best wishes,

 Annaliese

Chair

Dear Members,

Apparently my pre-lecture email was missed last month and several of you missed the lecture because of this! I hadn’t realised it was so important! I promise to send one from now on. 

This month’s lecture should prove to be very interesting, ‘When Horses Ran London’ with Charlie Forman. I’m sure the information and images are going to be very entertaining.  I shall be very disappointed to miss it! - I have been volunteered by my daughter to dog-sit for a fortnight, so I won’t be with you. 

Once again I’m urging anyone with any accountancy/mathematical skills to volunteer to take on the rôle of Treasurer. The committee are a friendly bunch and there is plenty of training available. 

Enjoy your lecture and I’m looking forward to seeing you all next month.

 Kind regards

Annaliese

Chair

Dear All,

 Our next lecture, entitled ‘The Architecture of the Mughals’ with John Stevens is on Tuesday, 17th June. I can’t believe another Arts Society year is coming to an end!

 A last reminder about subscriptions: All subscriptions should be paid by 30th June. Renewal forms will be available for the last time on the 17th. Please don’t expect us to post forms to you, as the cost is prohibitive these days. We can email them if that helps.

 The Treasurer will be in the reception hall, ready to accept your cheques, if you would prefer to pay that way. If you do pay by Standing Order please make sure you are paying the correct amount of £60. 

 I would also ask members who do not intend to rejoin to please let the Membership Secretary, Chris Smith, know. Her email is gday2u@sky.com. This is also the email address you need if you are booking in a guest.

 I wish you all a very happy summer break and look forward to seeing you again in September.

Happy holidays!

Annaliese Bush

Chair

Dear Members,

 I am so sorry that I shall be missing our next lecture on April 15th. - Not a very auspicious start for your new Chairman! I am sure that you will enjoy ‘The Art and Craft of the Pewterer’ and I look forward to hearing how Andrew Spira enthralled you all.

May I remind everyone that this month you will be given next season’s membership renewal form and programme. These will be available in April, May and June at the lecture sign-in. Can I further remind you that subscriptions must be paid by 30th June and that they have increased to £60 per annum. If you pay via the bank, please ensure that you have amended the amount. We can of course still accept cheques.

 This year I won’t be requiring you to return the forms unless you have made changes to your email, address or telephone number. If you’re not receiving your magazine or emails, that might be the reason!

 As I won’t be at the lecture, I am relying on other committee members to cover my two rôles…one of which I would like to relinquish! Christine, our outgoing Chairman, mentioned that we are in need of a replacement Treasurer and, of course, if you would like to help as Membership Secretary, we would be more than happy to have you on board. Please speak to one of the committee members or email me for more information.

 I look forward to seeing you all in May

 Kind regards

 Annaliese Bush

Chairman/Membership Secretary

Dear Members,

In a short time we will be back in Aldington village hall for our next lecture, which is “Architecture Through the Ages” with John Sherlock. 

May I remind you that before that, at 10.45, we will have our AGM, where I will be passing over the mantle of Chairman to our Membership Secretary, Annaliese Bush. There will be one or two other changes to our committee but nothing too drastic. Last month you may remember that I appealed to you for a willing volunteer to act as Treasurer. We have been very fortunate to have the services and goodwill of Barbara Beddy, but she has given us the two years that she promised. Now our hopes rest on finding a new Treasurer. It is an important and supportive role and I am disappointed that I have not received a single enquiry or expression of interest. Perhaps a member has a husband or wife who does not want to join the society but may be interested in having an opportunity to support us. Sadly, if nobody comes forward we will have to enlist the help of a paid accountant and that will not come at a low cost and will add to our budget for the coming year.

Regarding the AGM on March 18th, at this meeting we will put forward a motion to increase our subscription to £60. In fact that is lower than most Societies. It will still be excellent value for money at £6 a lecture. In addition, the benefits include free tea and coffee, an opportunity not just to attend lectures but to listen to a monthly topic online  from head office and there is also the quarterly magazine. Out of your subscription we have to pay for the accredited lecturers and their travel expenses, which currently cost over £400 a month. However, this cost ensures that we have a high standard of lecturer. In addition, there is the hire of the hall, the lady who washes up all the cups and the gentleman who gets out the chairs and then puts them away. On top of this we have the capitation fee to head office, which works out at over £3000.

 I do hope you understand our predicament, as we cannot afford to  run at a loss.

 So I hope to see you all next week, when coffee will be served from 10am.

 Christine

The Arts Society Ashford celebrated its 40th birthday recently with a special cake to mark the occasion, baked and decorated by long-time Programme Secretary and Young Arts Coordinator, Jane Brentnall.  Chair Christine Hughes is seen here cutting the cake with L to R Arts Society members Suzanne Holloway, Sally Starbuck, Jane Brentnall and Derek Burles.  The Society has a thriving membership of over 210 people from all over the Ashford region, some of whom were there right at the start in 1984. 

Dear AS Ashford member,

Apologies for the two errors in the email sent to you recently.

Firstly, our AGM will be held before the meeting on March 18th, not the 19th.

Secondly, coffee and tea will be served from 10am, not 10.15.

See 'Latest News' on the Home Page for links to the documents relevant to the AGM

With best wishes,

Jane Brentnall

Dear Members,

Just a short reminder that on March 19th we will be holding our AGM. The meeting will start at 10.45 instead of 11 am. Coffee will be served from 10.15.

Some members may be interested in reading the formal details of our AGM which can be found on our website: The Arts Society Ashford.

If you would like to make any comments on any of the matters laid down, please get in touch with me before March 13th.

 With reference to our AGM, I wish to bring to your notice just how important a good committee is. Here in Ashford we share those roles and are a cheerful and friendly group. However, members have often worked out their tenure, like myself, or in the case of our treasurer, Barbara, who offered to help when we were desperate. The two years Barbara promised us have now expired. Therefore we need a new treasurer and possibly some new committee members. Most members will think that is not for them or that somebody else will do it. Sadly that somebody has not come forward. I ask you in great earnest, will any members who feel that they could help by becoming involved in a supportive role please get in touch. As far as a treasurer is concerned, we are not expecting a qualified accountant. All we need is a helpful person to keep our financial affairs in order.  Barbara will be on hand to give support whenever required. If you are interested but not sure whether the task is right for you, we can invite you to a committee meeting or you could put us on probation for a period of time.

           YOUR COMMITTEE NEEDS YOU

If you would like to know more, I am happy to be contacted 

    at  hughes.limes@gmail.com or on 01227  472168

                          or before the meeting

Before March I hope to see as many of you as possible for our February meeting. The lecture next week is ‘Miniature Portraits’ with Cindy Polemis. This lecture looks at the history of these tiny treasures from the 16th to the 19th century.

I hope by next week the cold weather will have turned a corner.

With best wishes

Christine Hughes

Chairman

Dear Members,

I am sending out my email a few days earlier than usual because I want to be in time to wish you a healthy New Year and to say that I hope your Christmas went well.

At the moment of writing the weather is very cold and I keep looking outside to put my mind at rest that the snow has not arrived here. To be honest, I find that the weather forecasts these days are not truly reliable. If I believed them I would have cancelled so much, but I have gone ahead regardless, with only a narrow eye on the weather, and I am pleased to say I have not been caught out yet. (There is still time!) Just a reminder: if the weather is uncertain at the time of our next meeting or any meeting  after that, please check our website, Facebook or phone a committee member to see if we plan to cancel the meeting.

I hope you have remembered that in January we are offering a free guest pass for any friend you would like to bring along to our lecture on the 21st. Our lecturer will be Harry Venning, whom we have had before and found  very entertaining. The lecture is a good one to bring new members to, as it is a light-hearted look at the peaks and pitfalls of his profession, supported by visual and verbal contributions. Some of the names I am sure you will be familiar with, such as Matt Groening, Dr Seuss, Charles M.Schulz and Gary Larson. The lecture is entitled 

‘Oh No Dear, That’s Not Funny:  Cartoonists on Cartooning’.

If you do wish to bring a friend please contact Annaliese Bush on firstannaliese@gmail.com or 07813 725259.

So, weather permitting, I hope to welcome you on January 21st.

With best wishes,

Christine

Dear Members,

 Well, here we are, heading fast into the season of Christmas. I hope you all registered the date in your diary for our mulled wine and homemade Christmas / Anniversary cake on December 10th . You may remember that we wanted to acknowledge that in 2024  we have been in existence for 40 years, which certainly is something to celebrate.

 The mulled wine will be served after the lecture, ‘’Strike up the Band: A Brief History of the Modern Orchestra’’, detailing the sounds we are accustomed to, the national cultures from which particular orchestras emerged and the variations in type, shape and size of the instruments in different countries. Of course we will still have our usual coffee and biscuits before the lecture.

 I hope you have remembered the warm invitation we wish to extend for January to members’ friends, who may perhaps become potential members. We have never done this before, so really hope it will be well supported. If you wish to take up this opportunity please book before the event on January 21stand remember to make the booking with our membership secretary, Anneliese.

 I apologize to those members who made a booking  to go on the proposed trip to Covent Garden with an optional  guided tour of the Royal Opera House . I know it would have been an outstanding day and we truly appreciated all the organisational skills of Brin. Sadly, due to lack of interested numbers it just was not financially viable, despite the initial response with a show of hands.

 Important information to all those coming from Folkestone and Hythe on December 10th:  A member of our Society has thoughtfully informed me that on the 10th December the road going past Port Lympne will be closed. The alternative is to go through Sellindge and continue on the A20 until you see on the left the turning that goes past Evegate Manor. This road will take you to Aldington. Just stay on the road, with respect on the bends. There will be a turning on the right: ignore this one. The road continues, eventually going round a 90 degree bend. Just follow this road round and follow it up the hill. Eventually you will recognize where you are as the road is the one that goes past the side of the Aldington village hall.

I hope this helps.

 I will close now and I hope to see you all on the 10th, but if I do not

see you then, I would like to wish you all a Good Christmas and a Healthy New Year. 

 Every good wish,

Christine

Chairman

Hello fellow Society members,

How quickly the months go round. This month I have several good things to present to you:

 Visit 29th November

Our wonderful opportunity to visit the Royal Opera House for a guided ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour. Don’t delay booking for this popular trip! A few places will also be available on the coach for members (plus friends), who may wish simply to take advantage of an outing to central London during the run-up period to Christmas, with good opportunities for enjoying the sights, seasonal shopping or visiting museums in the Covent Garden area. The information form and booking slip are attached again. Book now and don’t wait until the next meeting on November 19th, when you may be too late!

 Christmas lecture 10th December

This year the Arts Society Ashford has been in existence for 40 years. The committee decided that we would like to acknowledge this anniversary with a slice of homemade fruit cake, so kindly made by our committee member, Jane. The cake will go down well with the glass of mulled wine which we will be offering after the lecture on December 10th. (Coffee will still be served as usual). Please note the traditional earlier week.

 Then

In January, in order to boost membership, we are going to offer members the opportunity to bring a friend to the January lecture for free. The only thing we ask is that it is a friend who could be interested in joining the Arts Society Ashford. Places will be limited to 20 guests so if you are interested, please contact our Membership Secretary, Anneliese. Date January 21st, 2025

With regard to boosting membership, please do look at our Facebook page and put a tick in the “like” box . The number of hits does boost our standing on Facebook.

 Finally, a reminder about our November lecture. I am sure we all have an element of cut glass in our households. This lecture relates back to the period from 1700-1830, when English lead glass was prized for its strength, its satin smooth surface and its dazzling brilliance, created by simple shallow wheel-cut facets, polished to reflect and refract light like a diamond. It should certainly be an informative lecture.

The committee hope to see you there.

 Just one final element of gloom: If in the next few months the weather is inclement, we will inform you of the status of our meeting. We will do this by email and we will contact by phone anybody not on email. We will never put our members at risk when coming out for a lecture.

 Every good wish to you all,

Christine

Chairman

Dear Members,

Since we sent out a reminder that a large number of annual subscriptions have not yet been paid, we have been inundated with requests to confirm that payment has been made or that recent payments have reached the Arts Society account. We have therefore decided to approach the situation in a different way, in order to avoid contacting all those who sent these requests. If your payment has been confirmed, you will not hear from us. We will only contact those who have not yet made their payment. These members will also be provided with the Society's bank details.

I hope this approach will be acceptable.

With best wishes and many thanks,

Annaliese Bush

Membership Secretary

Dear All,

 I am writing to remind members that subscription fees are now overdue.

 Approximately 70 members haven’t paid for their renewal. If you are receiving this email but have decided you no longer wish to remain a member could you please let me know.  My email address is annaliesebush@yahoo.co.uk

 Obviously we don’t wish to lose any members. Having a strong membership enables us to book the very highest quality of lecturers. If you have just forgotten to pay for your renewal, please let me know as soon as possible and if necessary I can send you a renewal form. If you intend to pay directly into the society bank account I would also appreciate an email.

 I should remind all members that the subscription is now £50. I think you’ll agree this is exceptional value considering the quality of the lectures and the fact that the tea, coffee and biscuits are included in that price. We are one of the cheapest societies in England!

 Please check with your bank to ensure that you have paid the correct amount and if you have underpaid please make the additional payment as soon as you can. This will to save me time telephoning to ask for the additional amount.

 I hope you all have a lovely summer and I look forward to seeing you all again in September.

Kind regards

Annaliese Bush

Membership secretary 

Dear Members,

I was informed yesterday that our scheduled speaker for Tuesday 21st May, Tobias Capwell, has had a serious accident, is now in hospital and will be unable to give us his lecture next Tuesday. Fortunately, our own Tony Rawlins has stepped in to take Tobias' place. Tony will be giving his lecture, 'Il Gigante: The Giant', details of which are given below. We're delighted and grateful that Tony Rawlins will be with us next Tuesday, especially as his previous lectures for The Arts Society Ashford have been excellent.

With best wishes,

Jane Brentnall

Programme Secretary

Il Gigante: The Giant

The fascinating story of how, in 16th century Florence, a 26 year old Michelangelo took on the commission, against enormous odds, to carve a huge flawed and damaged hunk of marble to produce David, arguably the greatest sculpture of a male figure the world has ever seen. Tony Rawlins will describe Michelangelo’s early life, his time as an apprentice, then studying classical sculpture in the palace gardens of Florentine ruler Lorenzo de' Medici.

Dear Members,

 Just a short reminder that on March 19th, we will be holding our AGM. The meeting will start at 10.45 instead of 11 am. Coffee will be served from 10.15.

 Some members may be interested in reading the formal details of our AGM, which can be found on our website: The Arts Society Ashford.

 If you would like to make any comments on any of the matters laid down, please get in touch with me before March 14th.

 With best wishes,

Christine Hughes

Chair

Welcome 2024

Dear Members,

A healthy and peaceful New Year to everyone! There is no doubt that, as we get older and everything starts to creak a bit more, continuing in good health is something we would all ask for. In the past, it used to be a wish for a prosperous new year, but if you have not got your health, increased wealth is no longer an essential wish.

2024 is a leap year, so we all have the bonus of an extra day, and Easter is early, at the end of March. I trust you will find The Arts Society Ashford will also provide you with good things. A selection of interesting lectures will be delivered on the third Tuesday of the month from now until the end of June.

Our January lecture is on “The Glories of the English Baroque’’. The speaker, Andrew Davies, will examine the life and work of Nicholas Hawksmoor, who, surprisingly, is barely known to the population at large. He was responsible for buildings such as Blenheim Palace, Castle Howard and London churches such as Spitalfields.

So we hope to welcome you to the opening meeting of 2024 on January 16th. Coffee will be available from 10-15 and the lecture will start promptly at 11am.

Every good wish,

Christine

Chairman

Dear Members,

 Gosh, we are lucky!  As yet there is no snow and hopefully there will be none to come. It will definitely be an improvement on December 2022.

 It seems strange to be writing another email to you all so soon after November. Traditionally we always have our December lecture one week earlier than usual. This year the date will be December 12th. Thinking of November, it was amazing that we had the lecture on the Elgin marbles and now they are so much in the news. It is a satisfying feeling to know exactly what the marbles are and  to have a greater knowledge regarding their appearance.

 With the wonderful experience of our programme secretary, Jane, we do have a first-class variety of lectures, and can you believe that Jane is already working on 2024/25? I have seen the proposed list and I am enthusiastic about the suggested titles that I have seen there.

 Next week, we have our December lecture on “Food and Art through the Ages.” with Tasha Marks. With Christmas coming up it will be an interesting focus on the origins of desserts, including sugar and spectacle.

 I hope you can join us for the December lecture and I trust you will leave enough time to stop for a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie afterwards.

 Finally, please remember that if you have any comments about anything concerning The Arts Society Ashford, I will be more than pleased to listen.

 I hope to see you on the 12th.

With best wishes,

 Christine

Chairman.

Dear Members,

The past month seems to have gone by so quickly and now we really feel we are into winter, although I have not seen a real frost yet. On thinking back to the weather last year, it was very sad that we had to take the decision to cancel our festive Christmas meeting, so I hope you have already placed in your diary the one week earlier timing of our December meeting, making it December 12th, when the lecture will be “Food and Art through the Ages”. We hope everything can go ahead without any intervention from nature.

After several dedicated years, our Secretary has decided to retire. Her departure leaves a gap in our industrious committee, so please, if there is any member who would like to support us by taking on the role of secretary, we would be delighted to hear from him or her and I assure you we would provide plenty of support.

Another vacancy is for somebody who would like to assist Edwin, our technician, in setting up the audio systems for  lectures. Edwin has more or less had to learn on the job, so he would be very pleased to support and assist a new recruit. I should add we are not looking for a sound engineer, although that would be very helpful. I hope any members who might possibly be able to help will give the matter some thought.

 Our November lecture on November 21st will be ‘The Elgin Marbles: A History of Meaning’, in which our speaker, Alan Read, will consider the changing significance of the Elgin marbles over the two centuries since their purchase. I think at some point most of us have considered whether it is right to retain ancient treasures or return them to their original owners.

I hope to see you on the 21st.

With best wishes,

Christine

Chairman

Welcome to October

 Dear Members,

I trust all the members who attended the September lecture on the Aboriginal Art Movement in Papunya thought it was an interesting and informative lecture. We certainly had some good reports.

 It is worth mentioning that we give out a random number of report sheets each meeting, in order that members have a chance to state anonymously what they thought of the lecture. In this way it helps us to ensure the high standard that we have constantly provided at Ashford.

 Our next lecture this coming Tuesday is ‘Iconoclasm – A Study in Constructive Destruction’. Nicholas Henderson will consider four major periods of destruction and change from the fifth century to the wholesale Victorian programme of rebuilding and alteration.

 I hope to see you in Aldington on the 17th. Members often say that they did not think the lecture would interest them, but, as has happened previously, they have found  the lecture interesting and felt pleased to have attended and been given  an opportunity to be enlightened by the lecture.

With best wishes,

Christine

Chairman

Dear Members,

I do not think I have to remind you that next week is our AGM. We will be serving our usual refreshments of tea, coffee and biscuits at 10.15 and the AGM will start at 10.45, which I hope will allow us sufficient time to start our lecture at 11am.

I am very pleased to announce that Norman Corfield has very kindly offered, during the period of pre lecture refreshments, to help members in small groups to understand the mysteries of QR codes, which are springing up everywhere. It will also be useful as we will be using them on our website and our Facebook page, which is now up and running. I believe this is a very helpful opportunity to gain confidence in how to master the code’s mysteries. I will certainly be attending. Obviously it will not be practical this month, but if you are interested in taking up this opportunity, it would help if you could email me at hughes.limes@gmail.com, so I can keep you updated.

This month our lecture is ‘’The Art of the Cartoonist,’’ which will be brought to us by Harry Venning. He promises that we will be let into some interesting “tricks of the trade” and enjoy the experience of seeing a cartoonist at work. I think it will be a bright and cheerful talk, just what we need if the weather continues to be damp and cold. Harry has been a professional cartoonist for over 30 years and is an award-winning cartoonist, illustrator and comedy writer. He is a weekly contributor to The Guardian with “Clare in the Community” It sounds like a lecture you should not miss!

With best wishes,

Christine Hughes, Chairman

Dear Members,

As I write this email, the sun is streaming into my room. It may be cold at night and early in the morning but the sunshine and the buds in the garden remind us that Spring is not far away.

I have to give my apologies, as I will not be in attendance for the February lecture on the 21st. Fortunately Paul, our Vice Chair, will be there to hold the fort and help everything run smoothly.

We had some first class reports for our last lecture in January and I have every reason to believe that the February lecture will not disappoint us. Ian Cockburn is going to provide a comprehensive introduction to Spain’s Moorish architecture, considering the classical origins that influenced the Moorish style and the unique decorative style which gives their architecture its beauty and exotic appeal.

Personally I love the symmetry of Moorish architecture and I am disappointed that because I cannot be in two places at once I will have to miss this fascinating lecture.

My good wishes to you all

Christine

Chairman

Dear Members

First the bad news: the weather is not going to improve, but the good news is that we can provide you with Peter Medhurst on Zoom, so you will be able to stay safely indoors and still have the pleasure of an interesting lecture. 

Peter Medhurst’s lecture, ‘Vienna –The Melting Pot of European Culture’,   will start at 11am. Please join before that time, as the speaker will be admitting everyone. The virtual doors will be open from 10.40 to allow time for this process. I trust you will all be happy with this arrangement. Please find the Zoom link below.

I would now like to take the opportunity to wish you all a virus-free, warm and happy Christmas and a healthy New Year. We will look forward to welcoming you into the hall at Aldington in January. 

With best wishes, 

Christine 

Chairman

Lecture: Vienna the Melting Pot of European Culture - 13 December 2022, 11.00-12.00 pm

Time: Dec 13, 2022 11:00 AM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87319325686?pwd=RDlELytrM1BMbCswRUsySWtjLyttQT09 

Meeting ID: 873 1932 5686

Passcode: 202307

Dear Members,

 We will soon be having our last lecture of 2022 and, as many of you will be aware, we normally follow the lecture with our Christmas celebration.  We will have our usual coffee session before the lecture and I do hope you will be able to stay on afterwards for mulled wine and mince pies.

 I am sure you will have made a note in your diary, but I just want to take the opportunity to remind you that in December we meet one week earlier than usual. This year it falls on December 13th.

 Finally, the December lecture will be given by Peter Medhurst, a name many of you may already know. His talk is ‘Vienna - the Melting Pot of European Culture’, in which he will explore the history and the arts of Vienna in the late classical and early Romantic eras.

 I look forward to seeing you.

Christine

THE NUTCRACKER 

an invitation from The Arts Society Ashford to this magical ballet

 2.30PM FRIDAY,  6TH JANUARY

The London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES

£95 DRESS CIRCLE TICKETS FOR ONLY £78.00

These will be available from the visits desk at the next monthly meeting

on Tuesday, 15th November

or by phone or email 

cash or cheque payable to  “The Arts Society Visits”

Friends and family welcome

Have you considered what a lovely Christmas gift a ticket would make?

Sally Starbuck, Visits Secretary, The Arts Society

Dear Society Members,

I think it is safe to say that almost all of us find the regular meetings of our Arts Society of great value, but we could not put these monthly events together without the wonderful support we all gain from the work of our loyal committee. Many of our members have been involved in committee work for ten to fifteen years. The recommended tenure is three. It is therefore not surprising that some committee members now want to bow out with our grateful thanks and take a rest. Sadly we cannot manage without these key players, so I come to you to appeal for your help before the situation becomes too difficult to manage.

 We urgently need a membership secretary and a treasurer, plus any other members who would like to become involved in the running of our committee. You do not need to be an accountant or an accomplished secretary. All that is needed is a willingness to be helpful. We would certainly give you any back-up support that you may need, so please give it some thought. .Quite frankly, to continue to exist we need a full committee. I hope you will consider how you might help and get in touch either personally on Tuesday, 15th November or by email.

 I do look forward to seeing you at our next lecture on Antony Gormley, entitled “A Body of Work” and delivered by Rosalind Whyte. I would also like to remind you that we will be showing our introductory presentation to new members and to any other members who would be interested to see it. It will be shown at 10.45 at our November meeting.

My best wishes to you all

Christine (Hughes)

Chairman

Dear fellow society members,

 I am sure you do not need reminding that we start our 2022/23 season in a fortnight, on September 20th. I trust you will appreciate the variety of topics that our programmed lectures will be covering, with the added assurance of a continuing high standard.

I am very pleased to say that despite Covid our numbers have not dropped drastically and we are delighted to welcome some new members into our midst. I trust they will be made to feel most welcome in the pre-meeting coffee session that we hold from 10.15 onwards. 

Our first lecture is ‘Art and Architecture – Estranged Bedfellows’ with Richard Whincop. This lecture tells how painting and architecture went their separate ways.

I look forward to welcoming you once again in Aldington village hall. The meeting itself will start at 10.55.

Every good wish to you all,

Christine (Hughes)

Chairman

The Arts Society Ashford

Ashford’s Cardboard Proms created by Revelation and Animate Arts company will involve 120 local schoolchildren from 4 schools. 

·        Great Chart Primary School

·        Lady Joanna Thornhill Primary 

·        Phoenix Community Primary

·        St Simon’s RC Primary

Working with professional artists the children will create their own instruments, using only cardboard paper and their imaginations and perform along to a specially created soundtrack to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee on Friday 10 June

Performances will happen in 2 locations, Ashford Bandstand and The Fountain both in the high street with a wet weather option at St Mary’s Church    

The schools workshops support the children in making skills and learning how an orchestra works. The children learn how an orchestra works and listen to pieces of selected classical and contemporary music that they then mime to, playing their instruments exactly as if they were real. 

Professional musicians visit the schools and the children have a chance, many for the first time , of seeing an instrument up close and personal.   

The lecture scheduled for tomorrow Tuesday 17th May 2022, 'Zaha Hadid - Architectural Superstar', has had to be cancelled because the speaker is unwell.

Pippa Hill has at very short notice been able to book a substitute speaker.

The lecture will be given by Howard Smith on 'The GPO Film Unit - The Birth of Documentaries'.

Minutes of the 36th Annual General Meeting

Held on 16th February, 2021 on Zoom

1. Apologies for absence. There were no apologies for absence.

1. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 19th March 2019

The Chairman reminded members that a copy of the 2019 AGM Minutes had been displayed on the notice board and on the website.

The Minutes were adopted and signed by the Chairman as a true record.  Proposed by Paul Ripley and seconded by Simon Foster.  Unanimously agreed.

1. Matters arising:  there were no matters arising.

1. Reports

Chairman’s report: a copy of the Chairman’s report is attached

There is no Treasure’s report this year.

 The Accounts were adopted, Proposed by Frances Crampton and seconded by Peter Snaith. 

          Election of Officers

Chairman: Christine Hughes has been nominated to stand as Chairman, proposed by Sally Edwards and seconded by Peter Leonard.   Carried unanimously. Christine Hughes was duly elected.

Vice Chairman: Paul White has been nominated to stand as Vice Chairman, proposed by Patricia Halligan and seconded by Norman Corfield,. Carried unanimously.  Paul White was duly elected.

Honorary Treasurer: Malcolm Champion has been nominated as Honorary Treasurer, proposed by Carol Clark and seconded by Hilary Sell.  Carried unanimously. Malcolm Champion was duly elected.

Honorary Secretary:  Meg Davies has been nominated as Honorary Secretary, proposed by Charles Sell and seconded by Jenny Beaugie..

Carried unanimously. Meg Davies was duly elected.

1. Election of Committee:

The following, proposed by Michael Lloyd and seconded by Richard Beaugie were nominated to stand on the Committee and were duly elected: Jane Brentnall, Jane Braine, Christine Corfield, Ruth Guy, Pippa Hill, Jean Howlett, Jill Lloyd, Rachel Miles and Sally Potter.

1. Appointment of the Honorary Auditor:

Magee Gammon Accountants have been proposed to certify the accounts and duly appointed.  Proposed by Simon Foster and seconded by Sally Edwards.

1. Any other business: Anne Charlier asked if the forthcoming programme would only accessible by e mail. Paul said that there would be a full programme on the website and that e mail invites would continue to be sent. Malcolm said that it was important for all members to give their e mail addresses and keep them up to date. 

Pippa made a renewed plea for new members for the committee and also said that in a Zoom lecture it was a good idea to turn off the individual video links. Norman Corfield said that this would also improve the internet connection.

Paul asked about the Church Recording and Roz Bacon said it was going ahead at St Mary’s Hastingleigh with a team of eight, who had made a good start though halted now because of the lockdown. She explained that it is now an official society in its own right and not part of The Arts Society any longer.

Linda Smith asked if the subscription remained the same. Malcolm said they would remain the same and that they are due in April with reminders being sent out later. Christine Hughes said she was looking forward to working with the Committee as the new Chairman.

1. Date of next AGM. This will be decided at a later date.

Dear Members,

I am told that March 1st is the start of Spring. I am very happy to go along with that.

I am very pleased to inform you that, after a discussion with the rest of the committee, we now feel the time is right to welcome you to our lectures without the need to make a prior reservation. However, we feel confident that if you are unwell with possible Covid symptoms you would not attend our lecture out of consideration for everybody’s well-being. We have also decided that we will no longer request the wearing of face masks, but we certainly feel that it is perfectly acceptable if any member wishes to continue to wear a mask.

 As you may be aware, our March meeting on the 15th will include our AGM. We will commence at 10.45 with the prior opportunity for coffee from 10.15.

At the AGM there will be a proposal and confirmation for members of the committee

Chairman                         Christine Hughes

Vice Chairman                   Paul White

Secretary                          Meg Davies

Treasurer                          Malcolm Champion

Programme Secretary        Jane Brentnall

Lecture presentation          Jane Brentnall

Young Arts                        Jane Brentnall

Membership Secretary        Christine Corfield

Visits                                 Sally Starbuck, Jean Howlett

Refreshments                     Jill Lloyd, Jane Braine

Advertising /promotions       Sally Potter

We look forward to welcoming you,

Every good wish

Christine (Hughes)

Chairman

Dear Members, 

I am very pleased to invite you to book in for our February lecture. I think the only thing that would stand in our way would be bad weather, but fortunately, should this be the case, we would still be able to bring you Lucrezia Walker’s lecture,  “The Art of the Hermitage’ by Zoom.

It was so good to see that so many of you managed to attend the January lecture virtually.

Fortunately the infection figures for our age group have dropped considerably and whilst the wearing of masks is no longer compulsory, we believe that in addition to retaining socially distanced seating, we would like to recommend that you still wear a mask when in the hall.

We plan to provide our usual pre-lecture teas and coffee, which will be available from 10.15 to 10.45 before the lecture at 11.am

Please reserve your seats at: 

christine_varykino@hotmail.co.uk

or 

brentnalljane@yahoo.co.uk

I look forward to welcoming you on February 15th.

Christine

Chairman

Dear fellow society members, 

Because of the rising cases of the Omicron virus, it may be no surprise to you that we are unable to hold actual meetings with the same confidence as we did in the previous few months. It has not been an easy decision, especially as a lot of other meetings are still being held, but after careful consideration and consultation, the committee have made the decision that the January meeting should be held virtually, in order to protect members’ safety and well-being.

I should add that we have always been very conscious of those members who are not ready to come to actual meetings. I am therefore very pleased to include them and give them the opportunity to listen to the lecture in the comfort of their own homes.

I sincerely hope that we can open the Aldington village hall doors for everyone in February. I would just mention that any members who have already reserved a place for January will automatically have their names transferred to February.

We hope you will enjoy our January lecture, ‘Unravelling the Silk Road: A Textile Journey’ with Chris Aslan. The Zoom line will be open from 10.30 and the lecture will begin at 11.00.

I trust you have a healthy New Year and stay safe from any unpleasant virus. I wish for happier times ahead for all of us.

Best wishes

Christine   (Hughes)

 Chairman.

Dear Members,

A week has gone by and we haven't had any additional restrictions in place from the government, apart from the compulsory wearing of masks. Our members seem to have felt confident to go forward with the actual lecture as planned, as bookings are quite healthy. Therefore, we will still proceed with caution and be aware of any new directives, but if everything remains the same, I look forward to seeing you a week on Tuesday for our lecture, mulled wine and mince pies.

Best wishes

Christine

Dear Society Members,                                                                                 

The recent news regarding the new strain of the Corona virus may have caused anxiety to many of you. I would just like to say that over the coming weeks we will be paying attention to all updates and will most certainly be following government guidelines. It is too early to know what the recommendations might be, but whatever legislation and information there is, we will work with it and will keep you informed.

The fortunate news is that, by one means or another, we can still provide our lecture on December 14th, ‘Baroque on a Roll: Classical Music in the Modern Media’ with Tony Rawlins. Assuming that we will be able to go ahead with the lecture in Aldington village hall, please reserve your seat either by email or phone:

christine_varykino@hotmail.co.uk, 01227 472168    or brentnalljane@yahoo.co.uk

Coffee will be available between 10.15 and 10.45. The meeting  will  start  promptly at 11am.

Every good wish,

Christine (Hughes)

Chairman

The Arts Society Ashford.

Dear fellow Members,                                                                

We are now preparing for our next actual lecture on November 16th, ‘Faber and Faber - 90 Years of Excellence in Cover Design’. The procedure of reserving places seems to work very well, as it has enabled us to adhere to social distancing and be prepared for the number of people who planned to attend.

At the last meeting I did a sample survey of members’ opinions on restarting coffees and teas, which showed an overwhelming number in favour. We now feel that it is possible to offer coffee and tea before the meeting to those members who want to take the opportunity to meet and catch up with friends, whilst respecting others wishing to keep a two metre space apart. To assist us with numbers, perhaps when you reserve your place/s you could let us know if you would like to have coffee. Those who have already booked need not contact us again. If you prefer to take a coffee to your seat, please could you leave your empty cup on the table at the back of the hall on your way out after the lecture.

There is no pressure to have coffee. You are welcome just to sit down in the main hall after checking in.

This arrangement will continue, providing it is felt we can deliver refreshments in a Covid safe way.

We ask that masks continue to be worn wherever possible and we will ensure that there is suitable ventilation in both the small and large halls.

However, please remember there is no expectation for you to partake in anything you do not feel happy with.

PLEASE RESERVE YOUR SEAT EITHER BY EMAIL OR PHONE: christine_varykino@hotmail.co.uk, 01227 472168    or brentnalljane@yahoo.co.uk

Coffee will be available between 10.15 and 10.45. The meeting  will start promptly at 11am.

I look forward to seeing you again in on November 16th.

Christine (Hughes)

Chairman- The Arts Society Ashford 

Dear fellow Members,                                                                                   4th October, 2021

We are now preparing for our next actual lecture on October 19th, ‘Romans and Romantics – The Guildhall Art Gallery’ with Ian Swankie. In September the method of reserving places seemed to work very well, as it enabled us to adhere to social distancing and be prepared for the number of people who planned to attend. As for September’s lecture, we ask you to wear a face mask and, in order to avoid crowding, we will not be serving coffee, although you are welcome to bring your own drink. We will ensure that there is suitable ventilation in both the small and large halls.

PLEASE RESERVE YOUR SEAT EITHER BY EMAIL OR PHONE. 

Please contact Christine Hughes on  

01227 472168

christine_varykino@hotmail.co.uk

or Jane Brentnall

brentnalljane@yahoo.co.uk

The meeting will start promptly at 11am.

I look forward to seeing you again.

Christine (Hughes)

Chairman - The Arts Society Ashford

September 2021

Dear Member,

I trust this communication finds you well and looking forward to a brighter and more positive year ahead.

After much careful thought and discussion, we have decided to plan for a return to the Aldington Village Hall for our first lecture of the 2021/22 series on September 21st. We trust, as time goes on, circumstances will improve and we can gradually relax our initial resolutions. Sadly we are not able to organise both Zoom and in the hall presentation.

The outline plans are in the best interests of the safety of all members and the Ashford Arts Society community as a whole.

!)  We will adhere to social distancing recommendations and keep the hall well ventilated.

2) We request that all those members who are attending have had both vaccinations.

3) Although mask wearing is no longer compulsory, we believe that it would be wise to wear a mask during attendance (unless otherwise exempt).

4) We will provide sanitizer for your hands, although you may already come equipped with your own.

We trust that following these simple guidelines you will feel confident that it is safe to join us in returning to the hall. Sadly, coffee cannot be on the agenda this month but we will constantly review the safety recommendations.

With regard to social distancing, obviously we have to limit the seating and organise suitable distancing, so for that reason we ask you to pre-book a seat(s) as soon as possible by contacting Christine Hughes, 01227 472168, christine_varykino@hotmail.co.uk or brentnalljane@yahoo.co.uk

It has also been recommended that, as a thank you for those members who were unable to watch on zoom but have stayed loyal and paid their subscriptions, we will regard their booking requests as priority.

We understand that sometimes plans change, so if your booking has been accepted and then you can no longer attend, please let us know in order that we can give your seat to another member.

Sorry if this seems a long directive and I expect you have most likely heard it all before, but your safety is our priority.

Finally, if the situation regarding Covid does deteriorate, we will quickly switch back to Zoom.

I look forward to meeting you again.

Christine Hughes

Chairman

May  2021

Fellow members, I hope you have managed to keep your spirits up in these difficult and uncertain times. I would like to thank you for your support in the last year and I trust you will continue your membership with us for another year.

We have now reached that point in our calendar when the membership subscriptions are due for the 2021/2022 season (£40 single or £78 a couple).  In the coming weeks I plan to dispatch to you the new Ashford Arts Society membership card for 2021/22, a very handy source of reference to know what  lectures are forthcoming.

I sincerely assure you that whatever direction we have to go in, with regard to Covid, we will continue to deliver an interesting and varied season of lectures. Despite our various financial responsibilities, we have decided to maintain the subscription fee at the same level as 20/21. I feel confident that if you take time to break down the fee, you will realise that it is outstanding value for the cost of each individual lecture, and with the additional promise that as soon we can return to the hall we will provide free tea and coffee with quality biscuits, whilst having the opportunity for you to renew friendships.

Although nobody can guarantee a date to return to the hall, we hope it will be September. When we do return we are not sure what restrictions will be in place, such as masks and social distancing, but we feel sure you will understand the importance of safety for all members when we request proof of two Covid vaccinations. However, if live lectures in the hall are not possible, we will do our best to continue with Zoom. Also I must mention that when signing in on Zoom please do not panic if you cannot gain access to the meeting using the long direct Zoom link. It does happen sometimes. Just go to ZOOM, then “join a meeting” and put in the meeting ID and when the next page comes up requesting the PASSCODE, just type it in. (Both these details are available within the notification email).

Finally, we have been advised that due to copyright restrictions we will not be able to record any lectures. We have also considered the possibility of delivering hybrid lectures, live lecture and Zoom, but due to technical difficulties that would not be possible.

One thing that is possible: if you have a friend or relative who wishes to share our Zoom lecture, they are welcome to do so by means of a contribution of at least £5.

The same benefit applies when we go live again. Guests are welcome to attend for the modest fee of £5. Thank you. I look forward to seeing you at our future lectures and I hope we will continue to have your support.

Christine Hughes

Chairman Ashford Arts Society 

To see signed and audited accounts for 2019 from the Main Menu select 'Our Society' then 'Documents'.

1. Apologies for absence

2. To approve the Minutes of the previous AGM

3. Matters arising

4. Chairman’s Report

5. Adoption of 2019 accounts

  6. Election of Officers

​        Chairman

​        Vice-Chairman

​        Hon Treasurer

​        Hon Secretary

   7. Election of Committee

   8. Appointment of Hon Auditor

   9. Any other business and date of next AGM

​ ​

Dear Arts Society member,

Our next zoom meeting will take place on Tuesday 16th February. With the announcement of a late Chelsea Flower Show this year, it seems appropriate that our next lecture is on the “Subtle Art and Exact Science of Colour in the English Garden” by Timothy Walker.

In addition to the regular meeting at 11am we shall hold a brief AGM at 10.30. This been long delayed by Covid – it is now nearly 22months since our last AGM. The accounts from 2019 are largely of historical interest, and will be posted separately here on the website. This years accounts have not yet been audited and will be presented at our next AGM.

If you wish to attend the AGM, please log in before 10.30. If you only wish to come to the lecture, please don’t log in till 10.50. 

I look forward to seeing on Tuesday 16th.

Best wishes

Paul White

Dear Arts Society members,
We have now had two successful Zoom lectures and our next one will take place on November 17th. This will be given by Alexandra Epps. “Good as Gold” will explore the symbolic significance of gold within art over the centuries and its use to imply divinity, the sun, status and love – the sacred and the profane from ancient times to the present day.

Sadly we are now in the process of removing (ex)members who have not paid their subscriptions. Now is your last chance to stay with us! If this is just an oversight, please contact our treasurer asap. (Malcolm Champion – 01233 720383).

I look forward to seeing you all next Tuesday. Here is the link for the meeting when you are invited to a Zoom webinar.

When: Nov 17, 2020 10:00 AM London
Topic: Arts Society November meeting "Good as Gold"
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://theartssociety-org.zoom.us/j/91849561076?pwd=blZqTWRXR1M1aXlEbEowZituc25oUT09
Passcode: 964150
Webinar ID: 918 4956 1076
Passcode: 964150

Best wishes
Paul White

August 20, 2020 by Webmaster

The committee welcomes two new members – Jean Howlett and Jane Braine. The AGM in March 2020 had to be cancelled. If face to face meetings are still not possible into 2021, then the AGM may be held on Zoom when it is expected that Christine Hughes will take over as chairman.

Dear Arts Society Member,

Your committee and I are delighted to inform you that the planned first lecture of the new season will go ahead, using “Zoom” technology. We understand that many of you have become competent “Zoom” users during lockdown. The lecture will take place at the normal time and date, ie at 11.00am on Tuesday 15th September. This will be a real live lecture, with slides, from Imogen Corrigan on the subject, “The Hazards of the Journey: Pilgrimage and Travel in the Middle Ages.” There will also be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.

A week or so before the meeting we shall send an email explaining how to join the meeting. You can decide at any time whether to join us - there is no requirement to sign up in advance. However, once the lecture has started we will not be able to admit late-comers, though you can leave at any time.

We still have a shortfall in subscription renewals. We are hoping to run further lectures by “Zoom” until such time as we can safely return to Aldington Village Hall, so I hope that any of you who were holding back will now feel willing to continue to support the Society. I can assure you that any “profit” we make this year will be ploughed back into the Society. If you have not paid because you wish to leave the Society, please let us know so that we can invite those on the waiting list to join us.

Obviously, our lectures are only available to paid-up members.

Stay well, and we hope to see many of you on 15th September.
Best Wishes
Paul White

PS Membership subscriptions, £40 for an individual, £78 for a couple. If you are not sure if you’ve paid please email Malcolm at champmj28@gmail.com

Payment by BACS to “The Arts Society Ashford”, Account number 00549665, sort code 60-01-21. If you pay this way PLEASE put your name in the reference box.

Alternatively, by cheque payable to The Arts Society Ashford, and send to
Malcolm Champion,
Copperwood,
Bonnington, TN25 7BN

Dear Arts Society Member,

I hope you are all keeping well in these difficult times. The committee has met again and we are trying to find a way forward that will keep the society going for the future when Covid-19 has passed.

Restrictions are gradually being lifted, but while ever social distancing remains a requirement there is no prospect of restarting our live lectures in the village hall. The earliest that might happen is now thought to be January, and possibly not before an effective vaccine becomes universally available.

We are exploring the possibility of arranging live lectures from our next year program via Zoom. We hope to be able to arrange these lectures for the usual time of 11am on the designated Tuesdays each month. However, so far only one speaker has come forward and confidently offered to do a Zoom lecture.
If we do proceed with this lecture it should take place on Tuesday 15th September. There will be a maximum capacity of 100 computers but we don’t anticipate more than 100 of you signing in for the lecture. If it takes place, you will be sent instructions on how to join the meeting by email shortly before it takes place. It would be really helpful to know how many of you would be interested in joining a Zoom lecture. So if you would (or would not) be interested could you please RSVP by email Pippa Hill at pippahill@hotmail.com .

We are still in conversation with several other speakers to see if we might be able to assemble a program and we will let you know in due course if we succeed. We will update the society website as information becomes available.

Meanwhile you should all be receiving the Arts Society quarterly magazine, and I hope you’ve signed up for the Monthly Highlights newsletter which arrives by email from the Arts Society in London.
A big thankyou to those of you who have renewed your subscriptions, your support will ensure that the society has a future. However we have so far not received subscriptions from approximately one hundred members. I hope this does not mean that we are about to lose a hundred members! If there is a significant surplus at the end of the year we can decide at the AGM what to do with it.

Best wishes
Paul White
Chairman

Dear Arts Society member,

The situation with Covid-19 continues and it remains very difficult to plan when we shall be able to hold Arts Society meetings again. Meanwhile we are very grateful that you have continued to send us your subscriptions. We have already missed four meetings and it now seems likely that we shall miss several more. Understandably one or two of you have wondered why you should still pay full subscriptions when we are not able to hold meetings.

The committee did give this a lot of thought at our last meeting, almost six weeks ago now. Whilst we were unanimous that there should be no reduction offered at present, it was also agreed that we should review the decision at our next meeting in July.

We based our decision on the following:

1. There has been no reduction in our contributions to head office. Our annual income from subscriptions is roughly £11,000, of which approximately £4,500 goes straight to head office.
2. We felt it would be honourable to continue payments to our regular helpers and to the village hall who have always been very accommodating.
3. Although we have not so far had to pay any cancellation fees to any of our speakers, the savings are not huge – amounting to roughly £7 a head – the cost of a glass of wine in a restaurant, to put it into perspective
4. In the longer term, any “profit” this year will enable us to postpone any future rise in subscriptions.
5. Our laptop computer, projector and screen are all outdated and will need to be replaced soon – at an estimated cost of £3-4,000.
6. Many of our members pay by standing order, and the complexity of altering them, and then remembering to change them back seemed out of proportion to the sums involved.
7. Finally, we anticipate some fall in membership this year and the Society can only continue if it remains solvent. The next few months are very uncertain and obviously we may change our position if there are more cancellations.

There are many interesting items in the Arts Society online newsletter, and I do recommend that you visit the Arts Society “connected” at theartssociety.org. and sign up for the monthly newsletter.
Here is an interesting article about the Borgias from this month’s newsletter, just click on this link - https://theartssociety.org/arts-news-features/become-and-instant-expert-borgias

The committee are meeting again towards the end of July and we will keep you posted on developments.

Meanwhile, stay well!
Kind regards
Paul White (chairman).

Dear Member,

I thought it might be helpful to keep you informed of future proposals for the Arts Society Ashford.

At present it is difficult to foresee when this Coronavirus pandemic will come to an end, or when it might be deemed safe for larger gatherings to take place. We had hoped we might be able to restart our meetings in September, and this may still be possible. However, it seems that social distancing will remain in place for some months.

In the meantime there are available on-line several lectures and virtual gallery tours provided through The Arts Society Connected at https://www.connected.theartssociety.org/

You can also sign up for regular newsletters at
https://theartssociety.org/join-our-mailing-list

As you know we have already cancelled the last four meetings of the current session which include the April, May and June meetings when we would normally collect subscriptions and issue next year’s membership card. We had hoped that starting again in September we would collect subscriptions then and indeed hold the AGM, but it is far from certain.

The survival of the society depends on the regular income from members subscriptions and we would welcome your payment now.

Subscriptions remain at £40 per annum (and £78 for couples).
Many of you already pay by standing order and we hope you will support us through these difficult times by not cancelling these!

We also very much hope that those of you who wish pay by cheque will likewise continue to support the society.

Please send your cheque, by post, to
Malcolm Champion, Copperwood, Bonnington, TN25 7BN.

Alternatively, we would be very happy to accept online payment by BACS to
The Arts Society Ashford Sort code 60-01-21 Account no. 00549665

If you do pay this way, PLEASE put your name in the “reference” box so we easily identify from whom it has been sent.

The committee will be meeting again towards the end of July and we will keep you informed.

Meanwhile, stay well, best wishes,
Paul White
Chairman