Latest News & Information

These two new projects will be starting soon.

Newark Civil War Centre - book conservation

 This is a fascinating museum generally with lots of books on display with other artefacts in various rooms, as well as in the library. Most of the books on display are fairly modern, but several are tracts dating back to the 17th century.

We will be working with volunteers from other TAS societies in the East Midlands Area, as well as the museum's own volunteers and staff. As always, full training will be given.

Mansfield Museum - textiles

This project will require basic sewing skills. The process involves writing the museum accession number on a piece of cotton tape (similar to that used for sewing labels in children's clothes) and then attaching this, with small stiches, onto the historic item. The objects will be packed back into their boxes, preferably in a more archivally sound way than many of them are currently stored.

Full training will be given in the process and the conservation principles behind it.  Volunteers will have the chance to explore the costume and textile collection.

For more information about either of these projects, contactVivienne Jarvis

Nottingham Arts Society Trip to Elton Hall and Gardens
Peterborough

On June 3rd 2024 a full coach of fifty members of the Nottingham branch of the
Arts Society set off for a day trip to Elton Hall and Gardens, situated just outside
Peterborough.

We were spared rain (which given recent weather seemed a genuine blessing)
and had the most enjoyable and informative day. The hall and gardens are still
owned by the Proby family and the development of the estate felt very much a
family affair.

We were welcomed with coffee and freshly baked scones, jam and cream (served
in the adjoining garden centre cafe) after which we enjoyed a fascinating tour of
the house given by well-informed guides. Highlights included an extensive
collection of paintings by Joshua Reynolds, as well as works by Gainsborough,
Constable and Millais. Other highlights included the small intimate family chapel
and three well stocked libraries.

After a soup and sandwich lunch the afternoon was spent exploring the stunning
and beautifully designed gardens. Although not extensive, their truly gorgeous
colour palette of whites, blues and purples made an immediate impact. The
variety and layout of the gardens included a number of fine features and intimate
spaces: clipped hedges, topiary, water features and a stunning piece of
contemporary sculpture. There was also a delightful orangery and a small shell
grotto.

The trip was a great success owing in no small part to the efficiency and quality
of the service provided by the Events Manager, Vivienne, and Wayne the chef at
the Mulberry Café.

For those Societies within a reasonable distance I would strongly recommend
Elton House and Gardens as a suitable venue for an enjoyable Arts Society trip.

Liz Holden - Outings Secretary

Photos of the day can be seen at Elton Hall photos

A full report of the awards to Iris Zhiting Guo, Hannah Hyman and Venetia Ejembi can be found at Young Arts Bursaries 2024

Online booking for these is available at Special Interest Days or Visits

For anyone who does not want to do this on their own, or does not have the necessary internet access, help will be available at the monthly lectures.  You will just need to provide your name, email address, telephone number, your membership number (if you have it with you), and how many people you are booking for.  If more than one, you will be asked for further details about them. You can also specify dietary requirements.  For visits, you will also need to provide a telephone contact for someone who is not on the trip. You will then receive an email about payment but, if you wish, you can pay with a credit or debit card when getting help with the application form. 

We have got more confident with form filling and card payments as the 2023/24 season has progressed, and hope to become even quicker in the future. 

The programme for 2024/25, including two days of special interest and one visit, is now on the website.

It is the East Midlands Area of The Arts Society which organises the work needed to set up Trails of Discovery, and their representative, Gillian Murphy, is responsible for working with small groups of members from different societies on trails in their locality.  She is anxious for members of all the local societies to get involved and wants to talk to them about ideas for projects or for offers of support.

Futher information on different types of trail can be seen at Trails of Discovery, and you can contact Gillian on glmurphy@btinternet.com or by telephone on 01909 540506.