Bulgaria 2010: Europe's best kept secret

Following a study day to introduce us to the country and its culture, a group from NADFAS East Surrey Area (and beyond) visited Bulgaria in June, accompanied by our guide, NADFAS lecturerJohn Osborne. In Sofia the tour included visits to the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, to St George Rotunda and to the National Historical Museum in Sofia where the fabulous prehistoric Thracian treasures are displayed. We visited the church at Boyana outside Sofia and the Orthodox monasteries at Rila and Bachkovo, set in attractive wooded landscapes, each with their wonderfully vivid mediaeval frescoes. We also visited Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second city, where the old town, with its cobbled streets, has a Roman theatre and fine, nineteenth century timbered merchants’ houses. We learned more about the history of the people at Koprivshtitsa, one of Bulgaria’s conservation villages, which has beautifully preserved vernacular architecture. Bulgarian wines are well known; many are of exceptional quality, as we discovered during an enjoyable wine-tasting evening.

Limpsfield Celebrate their 35th Birthday

Limpsfield marked their 35th anniversary at the May lecture meeting by cutting a superbly decorated cake bearing the the Society emblem of a grasshopper. The picture shows the Chairman, Ann Hollywood, and member Eileen Perryer (the cake maker) conducting the cake cutting ceremony. The lecture which followed, given by Fenella Billington, and entitled 'The Great Twelve Livery Companies' was a prelude to the Society's forthcoming Annual Dinner at the Apothecaries' Hall.

After three very busy years at the helm, June Robinson stood down from the post of Chairman in May. The Area marked the occasion by staging a special event at the Yehudi Menuhin Hall at which popular Nadfas lecturer Peter Medhurst entertained his audience with a superbly illustrated presentation entitled 'Paintings Inspired by Music and Music Inspired by Paintings'. The talk was followed by a luncheon at a nearby hotel attended by approximately 100 representatives from the 14 East Surrey Area Societies. The incoming Chairman, Lyn Slade, proposed a vote of thanks to June for the immense contribution she has made in furthering the Nadfas cause within East Surrey. June responded by thanking everyone for the support she had received after which she cut a cake decorated, appropriately, with a model grand piano. Thanks must also go to David Hanson, the former Assistant Area Chairman, for organising such a successful event.

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NADFAS Media Award

The competition is open to all Member Societies, NADFAS Areas and the Australian Association. This includes volunteer groups within a Society or Area. East Surrey Area was delighted to be awarded Joint Winner of the 2009 Media Award with Haslemere DFAS. The Awards were presented at the AGM at Kensington Town Hall. A copy of our PowerPoint entry "The East Surrey Area Year" may be downloaded/viewed below.

Study Morning and Buffet Lunch at Epsom Playhouse - Friday 26 September 2008

Pictured: Edward Bradshaw; Katherine Hill; Pamela Watling–ACE; Councillor Jean Steer–Deputy Mayor; June Robinson-Area Chairman; David Bostwick; Valerie Woodgate; Lyn Slade-Deputy ACE

Following the members-only Concert and Art Display at the Yehudi Menuhin Hall, for their second major event to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of NADFAS, East Surrey Area invited members to bring a friend to an Open Lecture Morning and Lunch at Epsom Playhouse.

Two popular lecturers from the Directory, David Bostwick and Valerie Woodgate entertained a full theatre. Their subjects: “The Dissolution of the Abbeys” and “Looking at Portraits – A Very English Taste” were cleverly linked, while also illustrating the diversity of subjects which NADFAS lectures cover. The morning was great fun, with lots of amusing anecdotes from David and Valerie, and guests left determined to put their names onto local waiting lists at the first opportunity.

East Surrey Area celebrates the NADFAS 40th Anniversary

Hundreds of members from the East Surrey Area of NADFAS - ranging from Limpsfield to East Horsley - gathered at the prestigious Menuhin Hall for a concert to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of NADFAS.

Students of the internationally renowned Yehudi Menuhin School have previously submitted artwork to the Young Arts exhibitions organised in the Area and, as a fitting salute to the occasion, they displayed their talents both on and off stage with an exhibition of their fine art specifically timed to coincide with this showcase concert.

NADFAS AGM 2008 - LIVERPOOL
To mark the occasion of the 40th anniversary of NADFAS, the AGM was held in Liverpool, the 2008 European Capital of Culture. A group from East Surrey Area travelled up by coach and a report on the visit can be viewed here.