On the 4th May, Steven Desmond, an independent landscape consultant specialising in the conservation and management of historic gardens and architecture, will be looking at English gardens and Capability Brown, who was born 300 years ago.

Before this lecture, Jenny Edwards and Shirley Skinner will be selling tickets for the day trip to Boughton House on the 17th August. This palatial Northamptonshire home of the Dukes of Buccleuch and Queensberry is rich in the decorative arts and has well known gardens. The building was begun in Tudor times and in the 1690s it was added to in the baroque style. Tickets for this trip which include a light lunch cost £44.00 each and as usual payment is by cheque.

Before the AGM on the 6th July, we shall be copying the example of other DFAS societies, including Stratford-upon-Avon, and having a raffle. Tickets will cost 50p each or 5 for £2.00. The owner of the winning ticket will receive a book on Chagall costing about £20.00. (Chagall is the subject of the lecture.) Money raised will go to boost the amount we can afford to give out in sponsorship and donations.

This year, we will be sending out the AGM papers by email. This will result in a significant cost saving for the Society. We will have a small number printed for distribution at the June lecture for members who do not receive emails. Please watch out for the AGM papers in your inbox next month.

Your committee is going to explore the possibility of establishing links with other arts related organisations in the area. If you know of any such organisations and especially if you can give us contact details for them, we should be delighted to hear from you.

Best wishes
Felicity Furber, Chairman