Page 20 - Oundle Life June 2024

THE ARTS SOCIETY
Outstanding lectures
We continue to be treated to outstanding lectures this season. In March, lecturer
Ian Swankie showed us just why Thomas Heatherwicke has become a world leader in avant-garde design – he of the iconic 2012 Olympic cauldron, the new London Bus and Google’s HQ building at Kings Cross. As a complete and stunning contrast in April, Sandy Burnett, Radio 3 presenter and Arts Society lecturer, gave a fascinating lecture
on William Byrd, the Catholic Elizabethan court musician and composer, showing, with musical illustrations, how Byrd managed to survive as an openly Catholic musician at that most dangerous of times: he was too good to be persecuted and lived into his eighties!
Our March Study Day, three lectures by Simon Cottle on ‘The Artistry of Glass through Time’ was especially memorable for the
session devoted to items of glass brought in by members, when Simon’s amazing knowledge gave a real buzz to the afternoon.
Next season’s Study Days, planned
for November and March, have provisionally been reserved: ‘British Baroque’ with lecturer Dr Amy Lin, and ‘Illuminated Manuscripts’ with Imogen Corrigan. These will be confirmed in
time for the published programme, with all necessary details.
part of our Arts in the Community programme. This year we have continued a long standing sponsorship of the Oundle Festival of Music and Drama, and we presented our award for Young Musician of the Year to pianist Nelly Palmer from Bedford, who won a high class contest at the Festival Finale in St. Peter’s Church on 30th
Next season’s programme is now being finalised
March. We are also sponsoring events at both Creative Oundle and Oundle Fringe festivals this summer.
The last two lectures of the season will be by Denise Heywood in May on ‘Stamford Raffles – Art collector and discoverer of Singapore’ and in June
The trip to the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, in June is fully booked as our visits programme gets underway.
The charitable status of The Arts Society is served by our volunteering activity, and we have regularly supported local arts organisations as
by Arantxa Sardina on ‘Georgia O’Keefe: Much More than Flowers.’ Can’t wait!
Next season’s programme is being finalised and promises to be as exciting and varied as ever.
An advertisement in Oundle Life reaches over 4,000 homes and businesses in the Oundle area.
THAT’S AROUND 9,500 POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS Call us on 01536 317000
20
Nigel Harper
www.theartssocietyoundle.org.uk