Decorative and Fine Arts Society marks 10th anniversary

The society was set up ten years ago by Millicent Honeywood who was keen to start a society in Steyning.

Millicent was already a member of the Storrington DFAS and also the Henfield DFAS, but felt that Steyning should have their own Decorative and Fine Arts Society.

She applied to the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Society for a start-up grant and needless to say the Steyning DFAS has never looked back.

From small beginnings the society has grown in number so that it can now claim to have 180 members. Millicent remained Chair of Steyning DFAS for three years, whereupon Peter Conway took over. He was followed by Penny Hill and today Ann Blakelock is the present chair of the Society.

Steyning DFAS is an art appreciation society and each month a lecturer is invited to Steyning to give an illustrated talk on one of the arts.

This might be portraiture, ceramics, glassware, furniture, paintings, architecture, sculpture, jewellery etc. For the 10th Anniversary celebration Geoffrey Godden was invited to talk.

Geoffrey was one of the founder members and was also one of the first to lecture at Steyning DFAS. It was a fitting tribute to invite Geoffrey back for what was his last and final lecture.

To help celebrate the occasion Florian Schweizer, the chief executive of NADFAS was also invited to Steyning to cut the celebration cake.

Florian is relatively new to his role and was keen to meet the membership. Not only did he cut the cake beautifully but he also floated some new ideas that he had for NADFAS in the future.

Steyning DFAS meet on the second Monday of each month at The Steyning Centre.

The lecture is always preceded by coffee, tea and biscuits and usually followed by lively discussion.

Membership is just £36.00 per annum and visitors are always warmly welcomed with a donation of £5.00. Contact Ann on 01903 297553 for further details.

Report and picture contributed by Ann Blakelock, chair of Steyning DFAS.