Niels Kraunsoe

An Englishman of Danish origin, Niels trained as a civil engineer. He lived in Hong Kong, working around the Asia Pacific region from 1970 to 2001 and witnessed the emergence of China onto the world stage. His work varied across the infrastructure spectrum from property development for a Chinese family business to  Facilities Director of the newly formed Hospital Authority  and Project Head for the new international airport. He was responsible the building and operation of the spectacular new Convention Centre, centrepiece of the ceremonies marking the Handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. He and Ann spend their time looking after their old mill house in Iwerne Minster as well as travelling and seeing their large family. He has thoroughly enjoyed his 20 year membership of the Sherborne Arts Society, from the quality of the lectures to the visits, tours and fellowship.

I started my teaching career in London where I took advantage of many musical and varied artistic activities and visited exhibitions.  When I came to Somerset I married, had a family and  I continued to teach for many years until I retired in 2009. Finally, I had time to be able to follow my interest in art once more visiting galleries and museums and taking part in textile and painting adventures

Deborah Edlmann

I left school at 16 and was a PA until having our second child who is special needs. Along with 2 lovely friends I started a Nanny Agency but had to close it after my husband had a serious illness. After that I set up a Bridge Club with another good friend based in London and the South West with expert teachers and where I taught bridge to the ‘beginners’. Over the years I have raised money for different charities usually with a ‘bridge theme’ involved. I thoroughly enjoy going to Art Exhibitions and have joined the Sherborne Arts Society to have the opportunity to learn more about different art subjects.

Ann Gidney

I spent much of my childhood in New York.  My Mother was an artist and a member of the Museum of Modern Art. My interest in art was born out of visiting many wonderful exhibitions at the museum. Years later, after bringing up my family, I did an Open University degree. This included a general humanities course and a wonderful Art History module. I take up every cultural opportunity when travelling. I joined the Arts Society as I am hungry to learn.

In a career spanning 45 years starting with a short spell training in Architecture in Paris and London,  from there on to graduate courses in Film Production at the London School of Film Technique which then led on to the Cinematography course at the National Film School in Beaconsfield as one of their first students in 1972.

Graduating in 1975, there followed periods working with Film Crews on TV commercials, two years in Nigeria running a Film Unit, then periods on Feature Films both abroad and in UK studios.

Then on to Documentaries of all genres that took me all over the world with some of the most well-known Presenters, Actors and Personalities including Royalty. Most recently I had been helping to make drama films in Zambia

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Hilary Smith

Hilary worked in IT for a number of companies performing a variety of roles including writing software to extract data from RAF accident data recorders and to launch a satellite into the early phase of its orbit. She retired from performing an IT project manager role for an American company in 2013.

She has always enjoyed the arts: music, painting / drawing and sculpture. She learned the clarinet at school and thoroughly enjoyed playing it both solo and with the school orchestra.

She really enjoys the Arts Society lectures because they give an insight into what is behind the art and the artist and often give a historical context which adds depth to her knowledge and understanding.