FOUR PARISHES ARTS SOCIETY - September 2008

The Four Parishes activities and meetings have continued throughout the summer!!

Tuesday, 12 August, again in pouring rain, a group of the members visited an 18^th century cottage ornée, known as Houghton Lodge House and Gardens, Stockbridge.

The weather did not deter our enjoyment of the evening.  We were met by the present owner, Captain Busk, in the converted cowshed, which has been turned into a very attractive self-help cafeteria and information area.  Captain Busk escorted us to the house and on the way he regaled us with some very interesting history of the house, grounds and outhouses.  Not least of which is the fact that Houghton Lodge has been used for the site of many films - most famous of all being Jane Austen.

Mrs. Busk welcomed us warmly into her lovely home and delighted everyone with her stories of people, their history and the history of the house.  There were unusual rooms to see, not least the round room, with beautifully embroidered chairs, paintings and furniture.  In the lounge, which has two fireplaces, a huge dolls’ house was opened up for us to see inside where we marvelled at all the furniture hand made by Mrs. Busk’s mother.  From one window we looked out onto the lawn sweeping down to a bend in the river on which many swans floated – it was enchantment.  Another awe-inspiring place was the Chinese Room and again Mrs. Busk enthralled us with the history of this room with its Chinese handmade silk wallpaper.  Having the privilege of looking over this most unusual house was much appreciated and we were sorry to leave.

As the weather was so damp and wet, we could not look over the grounds, so we made our way back through the walled garden to the cafeteria where we all enjoyed our picnic in the dry.  There were facilities to make our own hot drinks and buy scrumptious homemade cakes.

A return visit is a must to take in the lovely grounds, the Hydroponicum and the latest edition, the Alpacas, Tom, Dick and Harry, given to Captain and Mrs. Busk by their family.

Tuesday, 9 September – AGM - this was well attended.  Two members have resigned having served their time on the committee, and there is still a vacancy for a further member to make up a full committee.  Application forms for 2008/09 are being sent out for those not present at the AGM.  Upon receipt of subscriptions, new Programme and Membership Cards for 2008/09 will be either given or sent out.

The AGM was followed by a talk entitled……”Portraits of Pastels” – Ron Ripley. Ron Ripley worked as a commercial artist for ICL for thirty years and had travelled from Windsor where he lives.  He opened his talk by describing the many different pastels and various types of paper one can use for portrait drawing.  He brought along a display of portraits drawn by him and an album of photographs of his watercolour paintings.

Ron had brought along his easel and a member of the Four Parishes sat for Ron whilst he drew her portrait, at the same time giving hints of how to draw a successful portrait.  The likeness was very good and the artists amongst us went home a little wiser!

Future Programme
Thursday 23 October (note change of date) – Visit to Salisbury Playhouse. This outing is now fully subscribed and details given out.
Tuesday 11 November – Monxton Hall – Talk on “William Morris” by Marion Emery.