Newsletter No.10 – January 2012
A Happy New Year to all our members.
INTRODUCTION
The first four lectures of the season proved to be very popular and were extremely well attended, even in December when the weather was appalling. The second half of the season promises to be equally exciting, but not, we hope, meteorologically. A small group of members gathered for a lively and enjoyable coffee morning at the Knockomie Hotel in October. (See photos on the website on the page “about us and nadfas”!) We plan to arrange further such events.
The greatest success of the season so far was undoubtedly the special interest day with Scottish Opera at Gordonstoun School in November. This enabled some 65 members and friends to steep themselves in the story behind Scottish Opera’s production of the Barber of Seville, which, we were assured, is performed somewhere in the world every day. The day included lectures by Anne Higgins, the Manager of The Friends of Scottish Opera, and Daffyd Burne-Jones, assistant director of the opera, who gave a virtuoso performance as he described Rossini’s life and work and the thrills of producing an opera. A wonderful finale to the day was the voice of Shuna Scott Sendal, one of Scottish Opera’s Emerging Artistes, and a very enlightening discussion with her accompanist and Anne about the career path and lifestyle of an opera performer. The event was enhanced by the catering and attention given by the Gordonstoun staff. The offer of a repeat visit by Scottish Opera staff may be taken up in the future. We were delighted to be able to present to Anne a donation of £300 for the company’s funds.
Your committee works extremely hard to organise lectures and other events and would welcome extra help. We are also on the lookout for new committee members. Volunteers with at least basic computer skills (access to email) would be especially appreciated. Please contact Sarah Fennings-Mills if you would like to help. (One of the principles of the founder of NADFAS, Patricia Fay, was that being a member should be fun, something your committee fully supports.) The committee would also welcome your feedback on our activities. Please feel free to approach any committee member (identifiable by the badge they wear at lectures) to discuss any issues or questions you may have. In particular, our programme secretary, Angus Findlay, would welcome suggestions on topics for future lectures. Also, almost as important, please tell him what you do not want in future. We will be selecting the programme for 2013/2014 in April 2012.
Members will have learned with great sadness of the death of John Gibbons, who died peacefully at home on 30 December. John contributed much to our society, serving for ten years on the committee, culminating with two years as Chairman from 2006 to 2008, and continuing thereafter as heritage volunteer organiser. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Shaena and her family.
SPECIAL INTEREST DAY: 28 MARCH 2012
Our Spring study day at Knockando Woollen Mill will be an opportunity to enjoy a very “personal” insight into the restoration of this unique historical building. The programme will include presentations by Andrew Wright (the heritage architect for the restoration) on the global significance of the mill and by Hugh Jones and John Gillespie. There will be guided tours of the mill in small groups. Booking will start at the February lecture.
NEW MEMBERS’ COFFEE MORNING
Each year we hold a coffee morning for members who have joined the Society during the year. This enables the Committee to welcome our latest members, and them to get to know each other. This year’s event will be on Wednesday 21 March, from 10.30 a.m., by which date the worst of the winter weather should surely be over. Jane Caithness (Membership Secretary) will host it at Blervie Castle Farmhouse, near Rafford, and will be contacting new members with directions nearer the time.
CHURCH RECORDERS
Marion Yool writes: “Church Recording at Pluscarden Abbey is on hold till the warmer weather! We have received a very generous grant from the Columba Trust, which is associated with the Bute family who have had such a major part in the restoration of the Abbey. This was organised through the good offices of Brian Gill, husband of one of the Edinburgh Church Recording Group Leaders, who is himself a Church Recorder specializing in recording organs.
The incumbent of St John’s in Forres, Cliff Piper, has a copy of the St John’s Record, which I gather he is very impressed with. We are waiting for him to give us a date for the official presentation, hopefully in February.”
HERITAGE VOLUNTEERS
The cataloguing of the archives at the Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George is now on hold while the museum is closed for extensive renovation and the artefacts are all in storage. Work on the garment covers continues and those already made are now in use protecting some of the stored uniforms. In preparation for further work on the archives when the museum reopens, it is hoped to offer volunteers some training in book cleaning.
Anne Knight has kindly agreed to be our new heritage volunteer organiser.
YOUNG ARTS
Our Life Drawing Project came to a happy and very successful conclusion with an exhibition of the pupils' work at the Moray Art Centre on 1 November, which continued throughout the month. The opening was attended by the course tutor, the pupils (who were from local secondary schools in Forres, Lossiemouth, Elgin and Fochabers), their parents, art teachers and NADFAS Members and was well covered in the local press. (See the photos)
The Moray Art Centre Director, Randy Klinger, said "It is thanks to Moray Banff and Badenoch Decorative and Fine Arts Society who have recognised the importance of these classes and supported these young people. The great artists of tomorrow are here learning to draw today!" Our Chairman, Sarah Fennings-Mills, presented a cheque for £813 to cover the cost of the 6 week course. The fourteen 6th form pupils who took part enjoyed the whole experience and were able to speak about their work and will certainly have enhanced their portfolios and gained confidence for forthcoming Art School interviews.
THE OPERA BUS
A date for your diary is Saturday 19 May to see Scottish Opera's Tosca at Eden Court. Booking forms will be available at the March lecture.
NADFAS DAY AT GOLDSMITHS’ HALL
NADFAS House is arranging a special NADFAS day at Goldsmiths’ Hall on 18 June, including a lecture by Helen Clifford and a tour of the exhibition “View of Gold: Power and Allure”. The price, including refreshments, will be £40-50 per person. For more information please contact Sarah Fennings-Mills.