Ebor June Newsletter

Dear Friends,

So far, ‘flaming June’ seems to have come to Yorkshire after residing mostly to the west side of the country. However, the natural ‘jewellery’ in the form of blossoms in the hedgerows has been especially splendid and long-lasting this year.

June Lecture:

The period between 1890 and 1929 saw, in high society, extravagant clothes and glittering jewels – examples of which featured in films such as The Young Victoria and in the TV series Downton Abbey. Andrew Prince has a lifelong passion for jewellery and was commissioned to make many pieces worn by the main characters in Downton. This evening he will tell us about some of the patrons and clients of the period and show us how the jewels were worn with those sumptuous gowns.

Join us, as usual, for a chat over a glass of wine or soft drink from 6pm (tiaras may be worn!)  Please note that we will move into the hall promptly at 6.20pm this evening so that we can conclude the AGM before the lecture begins.

Please take a moment to give us your feedback on the lecture. You can do this from the ‘Feedback’ icon on the home page of our website:https://www.theartssocietyebor.org.uk/Home.aspx (the password for this month is: jewel)

Annual General Meeting:

Our AGM will be held promptly at 6.20pm, immediately before the June lecture. The agenda for the meeting and committee reports are attached. They are all brief so please have a look at them. The accounts, including the external examiner’s report are also attached. We require two thirds of the membership to be present so I hope that you will come along. The AGM business will take only a few minutes before the lecture begins.

Visits and events:

Several members enjoyed a most successful trip to Lille and Antwerp in May. We were expertly guided by Anne Anderson and saw some remarkable examples of Art Deco and Art Nouveau architecture. You can see a small selection of photographs on the Gallery page of our website.Future Visits:

You can still book places for our planned visit to Cardiff (4-7 October). This promises to be a very interesting trip that includes time at Calke Abbey (NT) in Derbyshire on the way back to York. Brochures for the trip will be available at this month’s lecture and are on our website. The booking deadline has been extended. If you have already booked to go and would like to bring a friend then please contact Joanna Heywood (joannaheywoodleeds@yahoo.co.uk)

Peter Burnett has arranged for us to visit Brockfield, near Holtby just outside York, on Thursday 2 November. The house holds the largest private collection of paintings by The Staithes Group. Please contact Peter for further information and to book a place. Cost - £10pp. drpburnett@btinternet.co

We are exploring several exciting possibilities for future trips, in this country and abroad. However we are always delighted to receive ideas. Is there a lecture topic or a particular venue that you think fellow members would enjoy?  Do speak to any of the committee members if you have something in mind.   

Social Events:

There is just time to book a place at our Summer Party on Friday 23 June from 4-6pm at the York Cemetery. With its Grade II* listed chapel – modelled on a Grecian temple – and 24 acres of garden close to the city centre, this site is a gem. Please contact Sheila Bartlett by 14 June to reserve a place. sheilabartlett@btinternet.com

Our post-lecture suppers have proved popular. The next one will follow the lecture on 12 July and we have booked a table at The Churchill – conveniently located on Bootham. We will send out details, including the menu for a two-course meal with wine, and booking arrangements shortly.

Save the date for our Christmas party – Wednesday 13 December. Full details later.

Website:

Copies of the monthly Newsletters, a printable copy of our programme, flyers for trips, photographic accounts of previous visits, membership forms, feedback about the lectures - and much more can be found on our website. Go to  www.theartssocietyebor.org.uk

Guests:

We are always pleased to welcome guests to our lectures and this proves to be a good way of introducing potential new members to the society. Remember that you can purchase a Gift Voucher for £10. This allows a friend to come as a guest to any one of the lectures in this year’s programme. Contact Michael Harran: mharran80@gmail.com

With best wishes from your Arts Society Ebor Committee.