Sheila joined the Society in 2013 and shortly afterwards took on the role of Programme Secretary which she enjoyed hugely, still maintaining that it is the best of all the jobs on the Committee. After completing a degree in Literature with Humanities with the Open University, she was elected Chairman in 2018. In order to focus on some of the many other volunteering commitments she has locally, Sheila stood down as Chairman in July 2021. She was then invited to become President which she was delighted to accept.

After a career in HR in the corporate and professional service sectors, I returned to my first love - the arts. I have lived between Dorset and London since 2006, completing an OU degree in English Literature, visiting galleries, exhibitions, the theatre. I joined Blackmore Vale 4 years ago, was Programme Secretary from 2018-July 2021, then took over as Chair from Sheila Williams. Main interests are 20th century painting, 19th and 20th century novels, and theatre in all its forms. I particularly love the Society for introducing me to fascinating, previously unknown, areas of the arts and for giving me the chance to meet so many lovely, like-minded people.

I joined the Society in 2021 and became Treasurer shortly thereafter. Having a degree in Theoretical Physics and a career in the insurance industry, I have always loved numbers so Treasurer seemed an appropriate role. Since semi retiring in 2015 I have split my time between homes in Dorset and London. I have always been interested in the arts, particularly in paintings, and have very much enjoyed the eclectic programme of lectures delivered at Blackmore Vale as well as talking with other members. Besides the arts and insurance, where I am a non executive director of two companies, my other interests are Bridge, wine and restaurants.

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My busy life bringing up five children had started to ease off and I was told by a friend of the wonderful lectures given by the Arts Society. Literature had been my main love but two of my children studied Art at A level, the talents of my forebears (Albert Toft and John Boultbee) having jumped a generation or two! This entailed visits to, mostly, Modern Art exhibitions but I would say I am more interested in the Earlier Art and Artists. Now an avid traveller to see my many grandchildren, I love learning about Art from all around the World.

Before becoming the Arts volunteer committee member I came from a catering background. Several years ago I was the NADFAS Programme Secretary for Pewsey and I joined the Blackmore Vale Arts society last year. I love all the different forms of the Arts and find I always appreciate, and have so much to learn from the visiting lecturers and their fascinating talks . In semi retirement I am much enjoying learning to paint and I attend a weekly art class .

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I became a member in 2017. I immediately joined the projection team and soon after I was asked to rebrand our web site when NADFAS became The Arts Society. I have enjoyed the consistently high-quality lectures which have been both entertaining and informative on a wide range of art linked subjects. Now, for me, the first Thursday in the month is a day to look forward to, expecting an excellent lecture and the joy of meeting many like minded people.

Like my partner Hennie, my mother’s artistic side jumped me to land on my own children. They benefited greatly on growing up from the likes of Nadfas and AHA, whilst I spent my working life in industry, much of it involved in the early transition to CAD/CAM design and implementation. When Hennie and I moved to Henstridge in 2018 we were swiftly swept into the local Arts Society lectures and equally swiftly I was ‘invited’ to join the Projection Team! Covid then struck and, as we emerged, I was further invited to take over as Team Manager from Lincoln! I am still on a steep learning curve and heavily rely on our stalwart team members but we would welcome any extra hands on deck on rota to set up the audio-visual kit at each of the lectures!

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