Nearly a century ago, in his book Highways & Byways in Northamptonshire & Rutland, Frederick L Griggs described Oundle pretty much as we know it today. "The clean, quiet streets, the solid unpretentious shops, the absence of bustle and feverish display, and above all the dignity of the many grey subtantial houses of the last three centuries". 

Little changed in Oundle until the year 2000 when the vibrant cultural life of this delightful town of markets and festivals was further enriched by the setting up of Oundle DFAS, now known as The Arts Society Oundle.

The Society membership of over 300 is drawn from the town and the nearby rural villages that nestle in the enchanting countryside of the district of East Northamptonshire. We meet in Barnwell at the comfortable village hall that lies in the shadow of Barnwell Castle, the former home of the Dukes of Gloucester.

Our thanks to Sue Singlehurst for the loan of her artwork above which captures the beauty of this part of the world.