Northleach Decorative & Fine Arts Society

NDFAS

A Member Society of NADFAS

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Report of the committee to the Members for the year to 31st December 2010

The committee is pleased to report to the Members on the Society's activities in 2010. The Committee's purpose during the year was to provide a programme of lectures and activities in the keeping with the general purpose of NADFAS and with those of the society in particular. In doing so they seek to achieve a sociable and friendly atmosphere and with a strong emphasis on enjoyable participation.

The core activity of the Society has always been the programme of nine monthly lectures. These have covered a diverse range of subjects and the lecturers have been selected from the Directory which is available from NADFAS. The Society is required to report back to NADFAS on the quality of each of these lectures and, drawing on the many comments received from members, the Committee have had no difficulty in the year in providing a favourable report on each occasion.

The Society has maintained a busy programme of events. We held two days of special interest during the year. 'Understanding Modern Art' by Frank Woodgate on 10th February. This was well received and gave members an insight into the various forms of modern art. On 27th October, our second study day was entitled 'Middle Ages Spread' Art and Architecture in the Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance Periods. Alice Foster and Juliet Heslewood gave an illuminating insight into these periods.

In March a visit to Cardiff Castle and the Millenium Museum was made, giving an opportunity to compare these two very diverse parts of our heritage. Rousham House and Gardens proved to be

popular and was much enjoyed. The new season started with a memorable visit in September to Broughton Castle and gardens .

A group of members travelled to Glasgow for a four night stay. There was a full programme of events and visits included Leighton Hall, en route to Glasgow. A Visit to Mackintosh House,

the Burrell Collection and Kelvingrove. On return a visit was made to Dumfries House. It was an enjoyable and successful tour.

Our Christmas event in December was held at Dormy House Hotel which was a new venture for the Society.

The Society has continued to support Young Arts and to maintain its link with Northleach Church of England Primary School. In addition to this we have given a donation to The Cotswold School which enabled their Art Students to visit Cardiff to see the Impressionist Paintings.

Our church recorders group continues with an active programme. The record for Quenington Church was presented at a service on the 19th September.

The Society has its own website under the address www.northleachdfas.co.uk When used it provides a means of communication with and between members and that is a source of useful information.

The finances of the society remain sound. A small surplus arose in 2010. We have been able to allocate a little more this year to Young Arts without reducing the amount we like to hold against future contingencies. The main item of repeat ongoing expenditure is lecturers' fees and we recognize that to ensure we get better lecturers we may sometimes have to pay nearer the top end of the scale. At the Annual General Meeting the Treasurer will report in detail on the figures and on the general state of the Society's finances.

John Barnes is standing down this year after 5 years as the Society's Independent Accounts Examiner. It is his job to ensure that the annual financial statements are correctly prepared and presented to Members a task which he has reliably carried out with immense thoroughness but always with a lightness of touch and good humour. Thank you John for all the work you have done so willingly on our behalf.

At the time of writing this report there are two hundred and fifty members and a further seventy people are waiting to join.

The Society is a member of the West Mercia Area of NADFAS and plays its part in its activities. Northleach DFAS has been represented at the National AGM and other NADFAS events.

The present Committee was elected to take over from 20th May 2010. The Committee are most grateful to all the retiring members for their outstanding individual contributions.

The Committee pay a tribute to the Society's President (Philippa Mitchell) and Vice-President (Diana Townley). Both have contributed unsparingly to the activities of the Society and have been a continuous source of wise advice and support.

The Committee also pay tribute to the many helpers who do so much for the Society in other ways. These include the great miscellany of coffee providers, register takers, sound system and projector workers and those who just come along and help when they see the opportunity. We are most grateful to all these people for their cheerful contribution.

The Committee is most grateful to the whole membership for their encouragement and support. We hope that with their help, the Society can continue to provide an enjoyable and friendly forum at which our members can pursue their interest in the decorative and fine arts.