Four Parishes Arts Society - October 2005

The September meeting began with the Annual General Meeting. Rhoda Bucknill, the retiring chairman, gave a comprehensive account of activities during the past year, which ranged from an evening with David Owen Norris and his "square piano" to Margaret Beale's embroidery with a soldering iron, and outings to Mottisfont and the Highclere Battle Proms. The coming year promised a great variety of "hands-on" activities including a members' photographic evening, a drama evening, a workshop with Margaret Beale. There would also be outings to Westonbirt Arboretum and Chedworth Roman villa as well as a skittles evening and a summer barbecue.

The treasurer reported that finances were still in a reasonably healthy state despite the rising cost of speakers and transport. However, subscription fees would have to rise to £8 a year, although income would be gained from the annual art exhibition, which next year would be held in May to coincide with the one at Lain's Farm.

Thanks were expressed to retiring committee members: David Bucknill, Veronica Bacon and Caroline Unwin, and also to Lois Gilbert and Linda Mortimer who always ensured that refreshments were available. The new members elected were Rob Tierney and Sima Borrett, with Joan Leslie taking over as Chairman or Co-ordinator, as she would like to be called, who outlined some of her plans for next year .

During the second half of the evening, Sue Ryan entertained members with her account of life in Japan when she accompanied her husband on his posting as Military Attaché. Sue explained the preparation she made for the visit and her surprise at how her knowledge of Latin helped her to learn Japanese. She went on to give a wide-ranging taste of life, landscape, culture and tlle character of the Japanese people, all beautifully illustrated by slides, books and artefacts collected over the years, and numerous stories of life at the British Embassy - including Russian spies.

The Society now has over 90 members but, stressing that we are an "arts" society not an "art" society, would welcome more. Our future programme includes talks on such subjects as heraldry, Charles Dickens, jewellery, Azerbaijani carpets, Salisbury Cathedral, year-round gardening and a talk with the title "Energy from the Woods"! Please do not feel you need to be a member to come to a talk - if there is a subject that interests you, do come along.

The subject of next month's meeting is "Understanding Renaissance Paintings" and is at 8 pm on 11 October at Grateley Village Hall - please join us!