68NADFAS REVIEW / WINTER 2011www.nadfas.org.ukSOCIETIES NEWSThe completion of the SirHenry Mather-Jackson LawLibrary conservation projectwas celebrated at theSessions House in Usk. SueSloman, Sir Henry's great,great granddaughter, gave aspeech thanking theMonmouthshire DFAS teamwarmly for their efforts and theMayor of Usk kindly donatedchampagne to mark theoccasion. Tony Fleming, theHon Curator, was quoted inlocal newspapers: "Withoutthe tremendous contribution ofthe MDFAS HeritageVolunteers, the condition ofthe Library would not be in theexcellent state that it now is.In the year 2000, when thebooks had just been returnedfrom County Hall, they wereentirely randomly distributedaround the shelves in theSessions House, were dirtyand a number were quitebadly damaged. The Library isan important asset to theSessions House and to thetown of Usk, and considerablethanks are due to thesignificant and unstintingefforts of the HeritageVolunteers in conserving thisunique collection of books." Monmouthshire celebrates completionof Sessions House library project Chester DFASHeritage Volunteersshare the mysteryThe Chester Mystery Plays Sharing the Mysteryproject (funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund) isabout creating a living collection of records andphotos of the Plays since they were revived in1951. Working with the University of ChesterLearning and Information Services team, onestrand of the project is to develop a physical and online archive. Volunteers from ChesterDFAS have been invaluable in shaping andcataloguing material. "I honestly don't know how we would have managed without Kath and her team," commented Project ManagerJane Dawson. Kath Bowen, the local coordinator, DeniseParkin, the Chester Secretary, and othermembers of the Chester group have broughttheir skills and knowledge to the project, andhave gained a fascinating insight into amarvellous example of Chester's living heritage.Above (l-r): Lisa Peters (University ofChester), Kath Bowen and Denise ParkinBeckenham enlightens local schoolBeckenham DFAS funded eight workshops by the charity Magic Lantern at Bromley Road InfantSchool during its Arts Week in June. Every class had an interactive session, tailored to its age range,to help the children learn how to enjoy some famous paintings, and inspire them to create theirown. Over 200 artworks, including the two pictured, were created by the children during the week.

www.nadfas.org.ukNADFAS REVIEW / WINTER 2011 69SOCIETIES NEWSEach June, Croydon DFAS emailsall the primary schools in theborough inviting bids for a £500grant to carry out an art project.The funding comes from voluntarydonations contributed by membersof CDFAS and is usually sufficientto support two schools.The bids are judged for theirability to actively engage pupils,teachers and parents in theproject. A major criterion for theaward is that as many children aspossible are involved. In 2010-11, additional NADFASfunding was obtained whichenabled a third school to besupported. The three schoolscompleted very different projects:one produced dry-point etchings;another constructed a largemosaic for an external school wall;while the third had the childrendesign and make a felt wallhanging for the Parish Church. The wall hangingcommemorated not only the 400thanniversary of the King JamesBible, but also the re-designationof the church as a Minster. OBITUARIES?MARGARET BEDFORDLeeds DFAS is sad toannounce the death ofMargaret (Peggy) Bedford on5 September 2011. Peggy(pictured) was head of theLeeds DFAS HeritageVolunteer team in LeedsLibrary from 1984-2008, ateam she started when shefirst joined the committee.Caroline Bendix, the NADFASbook conservation expert,remembers her as "a veryspecial person - kind, fun,intelligent." Our thoughts arewith her family - Caroline andJonathan and her fivegrandchildren. ?RAY SIMPSON Ray (pictured, left) was untilrecently, when illnessprevented it, Treasurer forEast Sussex DFAS, and diedon 18 September. His wifePatricia, a founder member ofEast Sussex DFAS, had servedas Chairman for many yearsand is currently President ofthe Society. Patricia and Rayarranged tours and visits forthe Society over many years. Croydon generates young interest in artMore than 500 children wereinvolved in the projects,photographs were taken and filmsmade. The photographs and filmsare shown to CDFAS memberswhich enables them to see howtheir contributions are helping thechildren learn about art.In July, the Society alsocelebrated its 40th anniversarywith a lunch at Addington Palace,formerly the summer residence ofsix Archbishops of Canterburyand, more recently, home of theRoyal School of Church Music. The principal guest, GriHarrison, the National Chairman,spoke enthusiastically of thecontinuing growth anddevelopment of NADFAS andpraised the Society for itscommitment to education.Stirling DFAS celebrated the many talents ofits members with an exhibition of art andcraftwork in several different media(including embroidery, marquetry, oilpainting, jewellery, icons, quilting,lithography and pastels) from 29 June to 2 July 2011. The exhibition was opened bythe President, the Countess of Moray, theevening before, when members couldsocialise and enjoy a private view with aglass of wine. Also featured were fascinatingdisplays of the work of the HeritageVolunteers in the Stirling archives, copies ofsome of the six Church Records and agarden history book researched bymembers, together with examples of thework of the Young Arts group. Theexhibition was intended to make the work ofNADFAS better known north of the borderand the interest shown by visitorssuggested that this aim was being achieved. Stirling showcases its talented Society