Last Tuesday (June 23rd) some fifty people – members and guests – braved the abnormal Summer heat to attend the New Members and Helpers Party at the Digby Hall. Fortunately, Julian Halsby our Social Secretary, had laid in ample supplies of wine, water and soft drinks and lavish plates of nibbles, created by Julian and Miranda, his wife – with help from Angela, our Programme Secretary – and both the wine and the the conversation flowed freely. It was good to see so many new members there and that many established members had brought guests – some of whom we hope will be inspired to join the Society !

After a short welcome speech, in which the Chairman paid tribute to the Helpers – those members who do so much to keep the society running smoothly, by helping in reception and serving tea and coffee before lectures – we were treated to a characteristically entertaining and trenchant talk by Julian Halsby on Ruskin Spear, an important but unjustly neglected figure of Post-War British Art. I, for one, was dazzled by the vigour of Spear’s colourful depictions of London’s pubs and clubs, with their sly humour and daring compositions, no less than by the technical brilliance of the more conventional portraits by which he earned his living. He was also a brilliant painter of cats, so what is there not to like ? Sadly, Spear remains under-appreciated, as he failed to conceal his contempt for the more modish developments in modern art. But I am sure that Julian’s talk will have convinced many of his listeners that he was a figure worth taking seriously on his own terms.

Altogether, it was a very convivial evening and with its combination of good fellowship and culture, a perfect example of what this Art Society is all about.

This is a good time to talk about Light and Darkness and on Wednesday 7th January we celebrated a Twelfth Night Lunch at the Digby Hall to say goodbye to the Festive Season and blow the Winter Blues away. After drinks and canapés, we were treated to a delicious 3 course meal, produced by Helen Furness and her team, followed by an illuminating talk by Jenny Newman. Since Jenny’s talk was on ‘Interiors by Lamplight’, it is ironic that the start was delayed by technical issues relating to the lighting in the Hall. Perhaps we should have held the talk by candle light , but – being the true professional she is – Jenny rose above the distractions to deliver a typically passionate and insightful lecture on the ways in which artists have exploited the potential of artificial light to add drama and meaning to a scene. As well as the more familiar works of Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Georges de la Tour, she introduced us to some of the lesser known members of the Utrecht School, such as Hendrik ter Brugghen and Gerrit Van Honthorst. But she also highlighted the subtlety of Millet’s later depictions of peasant life and demonstrated, in the work of George Clausen and Victor Passmor, that even electric light is not without its poetry. Altogether, it was a delightful way to spend a Winter’s afternoon and has left me with much to think about – and much to look forward to in the coming year.

On Friday 14^th 2025 some 45 members enjoyed a very successful Valentine’s Day Lunch at the Digby Hall.
Japanese was the theme of the day and Helen Furness excelled herself by creating a fabulous menu with just a hint of Japanese flavours, including Sushi and Teriyaki Salmon and concluding with a delicious Matcha Green Tea Cheesecake and, of course, a cup of Sake to wash it down.  Chopsticks were provided – but not compulsory!
As usual, Julian Halsby chose, provided – and served – the wine impeccably and Miranda Halsby decorated the Hall with her beautiful cut-outs of Cherry Blossom, Mount Fuji and Japanese Pagodas, as well as providing Japanese Lanterns for each table. After lunch we were treated to a truly fascinating talk on the history of the Kimono, by our own Suzanne Perrin. I had no idea that the origins of this iconic garment go back to at least the 10^th Century. Or that there were so many styles and ways of wearing the Kimono ( a word which I now know simply means ‘thing you wear’ ) and that modern artists and designers continue to create startling new Kimonos that are true works of art.
As well as giving a beautifully illustrated and informative talk, Suzanne had brought a few of her own extensive collection of Kimonos for us to see, including a very beautiful – and heavy –modern wedding Kimono in ivory and gold silk.         Altogether, the afternoon was such a success that I think we need to stage more themed events. Suggestions on a postcard, please!

Richard Danckwerts                                                                ( Chairman )