Four Parishes Arts Society - December 2005

Our speaker for November, Mr Paul Courtenay, enthralled us with a talk about the history and art of Heraldry. We were surprised to find out how much could be discovered of a family's history once we had learned the language of heraldry, which appears to be a mixture of medieval French and Latin, and we knew how to 'read' the shield.

Paul told us much about the history of heraldry, which began in the 12th Century and continues to the present day with all new designs having to be approved or rejected by the Royal College of Arms. Each design has to be unique and this is not always easy to establish, hence the high cost of acquiring your own personal coat of arms.

On the 13th December we are holding a skittles evening at the Crook and Shears, Upper Clatford (we are asked to park at the Memorial Hall). A basket meal will be provided at a cost of £5 and Petra Green would like to know as soon as possible of your choice of food. The menu is: Chicken Scampi, Sausage or Vegetable Kiev, all with chips.