EAST SURREY AREA DONATES "BEHIND THE ACANTHUS" TO SURREY LIBRARY

In celebration of the 40th anniversary, NADFAS commissioned popular lecturer and author Helen Clifford to write the history of the Association's development, showing its continuing development in education and volunteering within the Arts. The events recorded in the book show how NADFAS has risen to the challenges of growth and social changes, while remaining true to the original inspired vision of its Founder, Patricia Fay. East Surrey Area has been delighted to donate an inscribed copy to Surrey Libraries; this has been catalogued and added to the special Art Collection held at Epsom Library.

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EAST SURREY AREA ADOPTS A WATTS

Following discussions with the Society Chairmen, we are delighted that the surplus generated by the over-subscribed Study Days has been used to sponsor the restoration of George Frederick Watts’ painting "A Parasite" at the Watts Gallery in Compton. If their Hope Appeal is successful, the Gallery will be undergoing extensive refurbishment and we will look forward to the re-hanging of our adopted artwork on its completion.

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EAST SURREY AREA SPONSORS RESTORATION OF LOVELACE MAUSOLEUM AT EAST HORSLEY

William King, Earl of Lovelace, acquired East Horsley Park in 1840; he was created Lord Lieutenant of Surrey in the same year. During the next thirty years, bricks from his brickworks in Ockham were used to transform the building into a Gothic castle, including the tower, which gave the name “Horsley Towers”. Lord Lovelace attended nearby St. Martin's Church and is buried in the Mausoleum he designed and built in the churchyard. The years have taken their toll of the Mausoleum and NADFAS East Surrey Area has been delighted to contribute to the fund for its restoration.

"St George's was modelled on one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The task for our generation is to ensure that it survives as a wonder for our children."
Richard Chartres, The Bishop of London, Vice-President of NADFAS

The beautiful Hawksmoor Church, St George's Bloomsbury, has been the subject of a major reconstruction programme. The exterior and interior have now been restored. Underfloor heating has been installed and access for all created at a new tower entrance. Hawksmoor’s original magnificent mahogany reredos has been returned to the Eastern Apse, from where it was removed in the 1780s.

A local ecclesiastical furniture designer, Luke Hughes was commissioned to design beautiful, practical and comfortable pew benches to replace the old, broken, heavy pews, which did not seem appropriate for such an elegant building. East Surrey Area were delighted to sponsor one of the pews, which have helped to transform the way that St George's can be used and enjoyed every day and create a wonderful space for concerts and other events. Please see the NADFAS website for details of a day of celebration last December to mark the return of the Church to its former glory.

Read more about the NADFAS Bloomsbury Event here.