SOCIETIES NEWSEast Surrey volunteers for costume creationA joint project organised between the National Trust and NADFAS has resulted in more than 30 HeritageVolunteers working together over the past year and a half tocreate beautifully detailed andhistorically accurate outfits for the room stewards at PolesdenLacey. The costumes will be worn on special themed 'Greville' weekends. A very successful day was held in October with thepresentation of replica Edwardiancostumes worn by the EastSurrey Area Heritage Volunteerswho had made them (picturedabove), combined with a tour of miniatures (recently restoredwith the help of a grant from East Surrey Area) and other artworks by Nino Strachey of the National Trust. Societies NewsA snapshot of Society and Area activities across the countryArden DFASenjoys Italianrevelations Some 44 members of Arden DFASenjoyed a week in Puglia - the'heel' of Italy - in October andfound it offered no end of interest."We stayed in Alberobello, whichhas been a World Heritage Sitesince 1996 because of the Trullihouses. These traditional dwellingswere built without mortar, to avoidtaxation," explained Irene Pagefrom Arden DFAS. "We also visitedmany other fascinating sites, takingin cathedrals, churches, castles,museums, moreover managing toindulge in excellent food and localwines." Also of note was Lecce,which proved to be a wonderful revelation - nicknamed 'TheFlorence of the South', it is rich inBaroque architectural monuments.The tour was organised by Tailored Travel, whose extremelyknowledgeable and efficient guideswere praised. 66NADFAS REVIEW / SPRING 2011www.nadfas.org.ukThe clothes have been madeusing modern fabrics (the outfitsneed to be practical and not too expensive) but with theaddition of donated antique lace and other trimmings, theHeritage Volunteers were able to ensure the outfits look as authentic as possible. Hats have also been madeespecially to complete theEdwardian ensembles.

www.nadfas.org.ukNADFAS REVIEW / SPRING 2011 67SOCIETIES/AREAS NEWSFor its 2010 Young Arts Project,Beckenham DFAS sponsored acompetition and exhibition forchildren in local schools to createartwork on the theme of the RiverBeck and its wildlife. A whopping 50 entries were submitted from five local primaryschools. Beckenham DFAS funded the prizes and the Greater London Area met thedisplay costs. Three of the award-winningartworks are shown, together with a group of prize winners at the exhibition and presentationof the work at the Society'sNovember meeting.Beckenham inspires young artists For the first time, Isle of Man DFASdecided to award a bursary to a school leaver as part of anattempt to encourage the study of the arts in young people. The award was advertised in theManx Department of Education'sbooklet for school leavers, andapplicants had to be studying artsor an art-related subject. Thecommittee chose Corrine Payne as the winner, decribing herapplication as "outstanding".Corrine is now studyingArchitecture at Liverpool University. Photo: Corrine is picturedreceiving her award, withMargaret Duncan (Secretary),Pamela Martin (ProgrammeSecretary) and Anne Lee(Chairman)Isle of Manlaunchesstudent bursaryscheme Solihull helpsart BlossomSolihull DFAS donated £1,460 to sponsor a project at Blossomfield Infant and Nursery School. A permanent installation has been created in the outdoor learning area of the school, thereby promoting the children's understanding of art and enhancing the school environment. Over 200 children, supervised by staff and parents, worked with a sculptor to design and construct the artwork, which consists of five large-scale mosaic models of flowers and now sits proudly at the school's entrance.Rugby bowledover by OpenArt workRugby DFAS Vice Chairman TonyPernyes and committee membersMyra Holmes and Joy Lunnchose Patrick Flynn as the winnerof the Rugby DFAS trophy andcheque for his Open SegmentedBowl (2010) made from sapele,maple, yew and English walnut.The bowl was one of 57 entries inthe annual Rugby Open ArtExhibition. The judging took placeon 11 November 2010, at RugbyArt Gallery and Museum. Thephoto shows Tony Pernyes andMyra Holmes with the bowl.