Bookham Decorative and Fine Arts

Our varied and contrasting programme of monthly lectures continues this year at the Old Barn Hall with regular visits to places of interest associated with the talks. In the spring at our AGM, we began our year with a new chairman. John Cook having served the NADFAS prescribed 3 years handed the mantle to Angela Stevens for the next three. John thanked both the retiring member, Joyce Durban, for her good work over the years and other members who had supported him. He wished the new committee well.

We have had an interesting and stimulating selection of lectures over the months. In April a new speaker, Twigs Way, combined two of the favourite pastimes of members by illustrating the use made of gardens in paintings both as symbols to show social status but also to give depth of meaning. Psychologist John Ericson’s illustrations of visual illusions had members at the June meeting wondering whether they could really believe their eyes.  This theme is developed in a talk on Fine Art Forgery by David Phillips at the July lecture, and complements the current exhibition at the National Gallery. In September after the summer break Nicholas Bagshaw will be highlighting the work of the Scottish Colourists, Cadell, Fergusson, Hunter and Peploe,  who were among the first to introduce in the early part of the 20th century the intense colour of the French Fauve movement of Monet and Matisse into British art. The colour of the works displayed at the Tate is breathtaking. In October new to most will be an exploration of Islamic art by Ian Gibson.

On a bright clear April day members paid a visit to Salisbury Cathedral with a tour by an excellent and knowledgeable guide. In May a small party viewed one of our local treasures, Slyfield House and were appreciative of the family support of the visit. We were in Sussex in June at the Elizabethan Parham House with its beautiful garden. In the afternoon we went back many more centuries at the Bignor Roman Villa with its extensive mosaic floors and its views over the South Downs.

Also in June we spent a few days in Chester and Liverpool and were able to visit the many attractions in the area including the revitalised docks and wharfs. Earlier In May we had a preparatory lecture on Goudi and his work in Barcelona before our trip to that city in September. It is a city full of cultural opportunities and they will be exploited to the full.

The Church Recorders are entering the last stages of the publication of a detailed account of the structure and contents of St Nicolas Parish Church. This has to meet exacting, nationally agreed standards of recording and has taken over five years to complete. A similar recording has now commenced at All Saints at Little Bookham.

The society continues to flourish and we endeavour to admit people on our waiting list at the earliest opportunity that is consistent with the capacity of the Old Barn Hall. Full information about the society may be found on our website www.bookham-dfas.org.uk . Membership Secretary Martin Kent 454390 would be pleased to hear from anyone interested in becoming a member or attending a lecture as a visitor.

John Cook