The Limpsfield Decorative and Fine Arts Society
(LDFAS) is concerned with the cultivation, appreciation and study of the decorative and fine arts and with the provision of assistance towards the preservation of our artistic heritage. It is a member society of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) and is affiliated to NADFAS East Surrey Area.

Lectures are presented monthly on a wide range
of topics by recognised experts in the decorative and fine arts.

Visits are arranged to places of historic, artistic and cultural interest. In many instances guides meet the group for an introductory lecture or guided tour.

Study Days are arranged from time to time, devoted to an in-depth examination of a specific topic or aspect of fine arts. The day usually comprises three lectures and lunch.

Tours of typically 3-5 days in either this country or Europe are also arranged from time to time.

Where we meet. St Peter’s Hall, Limpsfield, normally on the last Wednesday of the month, from September to June.

Membership. The Society is divided into two categories of membership – Afternoon and Evening.
Afternoon meetings commence at 2.30 p.m. followed by tea and biscuits.
Evening meetings commence at 8.00 p.m. with coffee served from 7.15 p.m.
The annual subscription is �26.
Applications for Membership are welcomed. If you are interested in joining or would like more information, please contact either
Ann Hollywood, Chairman, 01883 712978 or Janet Brealey, Membership Secretary, 01883 715958

Programme
Art, architecture, archaeology, ceramics, furniture, furnishings, garden design, glass,
Historic Houses, museums, music, National Collections, silver, and tapestry.

2008

2009

10th September AGM at 8pm.
Followed by a short talk "Museums under our noses - from medieval books to jet aircraft" by Mrs Celia Quarrington, BA (Hons) in Humanities with Classical Studies, founder member of Betchworth DFAS. Read

22nd September pm. ”Extra" - Vintners Hall. Lecture

24th September Pearls Before Swine - the Long History of a Royal Necklace (Jane Kelsall). This talk provided the opportunity to discover the allure of pearls and the ways in which they have been used as status symbols and items of great beauty. Read

23rd October Visit. Glyndebourne. Performance of Mozart's "The Magic Flute"

29th October Lecture. Early Flemish Paintings and the Discovery of Oils (Alice Foster). European painting was dramatically changed by the move from wall to wood block and canvas. The Royal Collection exhibition in early 2009 (see 4th February) contains many Flemish paintings including well known works by Breughel. Mrs Foster invites us to look at images and ask relevant questions. She will cover all the Flemish masters.

5th November Study Day. History of Jewellery from Elizabeth 1 to Queen Victoria (John Benjamin). The Grasshopper Inn, Westerham

15th November "Extra" Evening Westminster Abbey Tour with the Purcell Club

20th November Visit. Avington Park, Winchester

26th November Lecture. Palladio, Inigo Jones and the British Palladians (Alan Bott)

3rd December "Extra" Southside House, Wimbledon. Tour and candlelit buffet supper

*Tuesday 16th December Lecture Christmas through the Victorian Magic Lantern (Philip Banham). Two antique lanterns project images on original hand painted slides accompanied by seasonal readings and music. This promises to be a good opportunity to relive childhood memories of the wonder and magic of the Christmas season

2009

28th January Lecture Sir Alfred Munnings, His Life and Art (David Evans).
Munnings is justly famed for his vigorous paintings of horses and their owners, racing, country life and the East Anglian scene. Although this lecture links with a visit to Dedham (28th April), Munnings spent much of his time in Cornwall. He made a controversial speech as President of the Royal Academy which led to his resignation.

4th February "Extra" Queen's Gallery. Breughel to Rubens 6.00 - 9.00pm

19th February Visit Royal Academy of Arts. Palladio Exhibition

25th February Lecture From Blood and Sawdust to Lycra (Colin Williamson)
This unusual illustrated talk by an enthusiastic author, radio and TV broadcaster will introduce us to a fascinating history of new malleable materials we all use but are less likely to see in their artistic guise. Yet from Charles Rennie Mackintosh onwards plastic products have increasingly had a place in design and fine art.

4th March Study Day Tate to Tate. Modern Art Lectures with travel between the galleries by boat on the River Thames.

11th March Lunch The Grasshopper Inn, Westerham
"The Art of Deception" (Bertie Pearce)

19th March Visit Chenies Manor House and Hughenden Manor, Bucks

25th March Lecture Art Deco and its influence on Art and Design (Peter Darty)
The art of the "Jazz Age" between the two World Wars took its inspiration from many sources. Some of its most famous creators included Le Corbusier in architecture, Chanel and Schiaparelli in couture, and Clarice Cliff in ceramic design. Furniture, jewellery, glass and painting are subjects to be included in this illustrated lecture.

28th April Visit Sir Alfred Munnings Art Museum, Dedham and Dedham Church

29th April Lecture Chopin and Delacroix (Janet Cannetty-Clark).
The unusual relationship between a composer and a painter is explored through the juxtaposition of live piano music and the images of paintings. Mrs Cannetty-Clark will run the session from the piano stool, letting Chopin's genius express itself in vivid contrast to the personality of Delacroix in a dramatic period of French history.

7th May Visit Stanley Spencer Gallery, Cookham and Stonor Park, Henley-on-Thames

8-12th May Tour Padua, Vicenza, Verona and Mantua (5days/4nights)

26th May "Extra" Walking Tour of Spitalfields (Peter Lawrence) and Visit to Bank of England Museum.

27th May Lecture Victorian Pottery and Porcelain (Geoffrey Godden).
After over 50 years in the antique trade and many years on TV in "Going for a Song" and the "Antiques Road Show", Dr Godden shares with us his knowledge and interest in both common earthenware and delicate porcelain. We gain an insight into the social history of the 19th century and the development of taste and utility.

10th June Visit Parham House & Gardens, Sussex

18th June Annual Dinner Penshurst Place, Kent

24th June Lecture The Tradescants, Plant and Art Collectors and Gardeners of the 17th Century (Joanna Kidd).
We probably recognise the name by some of the plants this father and son collected. The lecture describes their lives in the 17th century, working for English kings and journeying to the new continent of America. We shall see what else they valued from the New World.

* = Not the usual meeting day of the last Wednesday of the month.

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Last year for the archive.

Peter Ainsworth, MP for East Surrey presented the prizes in the Tandridge Primary Schools Art Competition, Limpsfield Decorative and Fine Arts Society. 18 of the 26 state primary schools in the Tandridge District submitted entries which were judged by Adrienne Parker, a local professional artist and James Carrett, Head of Fine Art at Oxted County School.
Click here to see the winning pictures.