The Rise and Fall of Napoleon and Josephine

with Stephen Duffy

On Wednesday 18th March 2026

At Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ

Doors open at 10.15am for coffee in advance of lecture starting at 10.45 am.

This day will look at two fascinating and extraordinary characters - the Emperor Napoleon and his first wife, Josephine. We will chart the rise of Napoleon to be Emperor of the French and one of the greatest military commanders ever, before being finally defeated and sent into exile. We will consider the nature of his genius as an administrator and a general and look at how Josephine, with her gentleness and charm, and her passion for the arts, was an invaluable counterweight to the military and legalistic tenor of Napoleon's regime. Not only a great art collector, she was also one of the most important gardeners of her time. Illustrated with many wonderful works of art, these talks will have something for everyone- politics, war, art, fashion and gardening. 

Cost £38 for members, £44 for non-members. Includes lunch, coffee and biscuits. Any non-member joining on the day will get a refund for the extra cost.

Please return the application form below to, Janet McQueen, 55, Manor Road, Enfield, EN2 0AN, email: jntmcqn@gmail.com  

Tel. 020 8367 7374 (mobile on the day if you are unable to come is 07771 637735).   

Payment by bank transfer (preferred) or cheque made out to “The Arts Society Enfield.”

The Arts Society cannot be held responsible for any personal accident, loss, or theft of member’s personal property. Members are covered against proven liability to third parties.---------------------à---------------------------à-----------------------------à--------------------------------Tear here

Please reserve_________place(s) on the special interest day on Wed. 18th March 2026  Name(s) ________________________________________________________________                                                                                 Arts Society member   Y / N    Contact tel. number ______________________________

I have paid by bank transfer, the amount of   £______________ to Bank account: The Arts Society Enfield,   Sort code:   40 52 40   Account number: 00060358  and please put your

name as the reference.  Or  I enclose a cheque £_______ payable to The Arts Society Enfield

The Story of British

Musical Theatre.

with Ian Gledhill

On Wednesday 12th November 2025

At Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ

Doors open at 10.30am for coffee in advance of lecture starting at 11.00 am.

A 3-lecture day finishing about 3.15pm.

This study day explores the fascinating and diverse development of British Musical Theatre. Starting with Gilbert & Sullivan and the birth of English Operetta, we will then move onto the rise of Edwardian Musical Comedy before considering Musical Theatre between the Wars and finally the Rise of the Modern Musical. There will be lots of music and I am sure many memories will be evoked, relived and enjoyed!

We are keeping  visitor cost as low as possible and hope you will bring friends and family to enjoy what we are sure will be a special day in  November. An early Christmas present?

Cost £38 for members, £42 for non-members. Includes lunch, coffee, and biscuits. Any non-member joining on the day will get a refund for the extra cost.

Please return the application form below to, Janet McQueen, 55, Manor Road, Enfield, EN2 0AN, email: jntmcqn@gmail.com  

Tel. 020 8367 7374 (mobile on the day if you are unable to come is 07771 637735).   

Payment by bank transfer (preferred) or cheque made out to “The Arts Society Enfield.”

The Arts Society cannot be held responsible for any personal accident, loss, or theft of member’s personal property. Members are covered against proven liability to third parties.---------------------à---------------------------à-----------------------------à--------------------------------Tear here

Please reserve ______place(s) on the special interest day on Wednesday 12th Nov. 2025  Name(s) ________________________________________________________________                                                                                 Arts Society member   Y / N    Contact tel. number ______________________________

I have paid by bank transfer, the amount of   £______________Bank account: The Arts Society Enfield,   Sort code:   40 52 40   Account number: 00060358  and please put your name as the reference.  Or  I enclose a cheque £_______ payable to The Arts Society 

Great British Exports:

David Niven and PG Woodhouse.

with Richard Burnip

On Wednesday 19th March 2025

At Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ

Doors open at 10.30am for coffee in advance of lecture starting at 11 am.

A 2-lecture day finishing about 2.45pm.

This study day explores the lives and work of two well-loved British figures from the arts. 

In our first lecture ‘David Niven and Friends’ we look at the remarkable career of this popular actor; from struggling extra in Hollywood, via early film appearances (including his first leading role as Bertie Wooster) to international star and celebrated Oscar winner. 

Our second lecture ‘P G Wodehouse in London’ explores the work of the great comic master of letters through the many London locations in his books; brought to life with many wonderful pictures from the golden age of the illustrated magazine. 

Cost £35 for members, £42 for non-members. Includes lunch, coffee, and biscuits. Any non-member joining on the day will get a refund for the extra cost.

Please return the application form below to, Janet McQueen, 55, Manor Road, Enfield, EN2 0AN, email: jntmcqn@gmail.com  

Tel. 020 8367 7374 (mobile on the day if you are unable to come is 07771 637735).   

Payment by bank transfer (preferred) or cheque made out to “The Arts Society Enfield.”

The Arts Society cannot be held responsible for any personal accident, loss, or theft of member’s personal property. Members are covered against proven liability to third parties.---------------------à---------------------------à-----------------------------à--------------------------------Tear here

Please reserve ______place(s) on the special interest day on Wednesday 19th March 2025

Name(s) _________________________________________________________________                                                                                    Arts Society member   Y / N    Contact tel. number _______________________________

I have paid by bank transfer, the amount of   £______________Bank account: The Arts Society Enfield,   Sort code:   40 52 40   Account number: 00060358  and please put your name as the reference.  Or  I enclose a cheque £_______ payable to Th

You will be able to book for this event at the next two meetings in September and Ocotober 2024, or print the booking form in documents and post. Alternatively just email jntmcqn@gmail.com

From Monochrome to Polychrome - how colour transformed the art of garden design.

with Timothy Walker

On Tuesday 5th November 2024

At Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ

Doors open at 10.15am for coffee in advance of lecture starting at 10.45 am.

A 2-lecture day finishing about 2.30pm.

This event looks at the use of colour in gardening and fine art, and proposes that garden borders and contemporary paintings have evolved along parallel lines in the past 150 years.  

Colour become important in garden design in England at the end of the 18th century and only finally became truly multicoloured under the influence of Gertrude Jekyll who was inspired by the work of JMW Turner.  Through the 20th we see gardeners become more confident in the application and use of colour.

The final part of this study day looks at how you might create a border in your garden that could be considered a work of art.

Awarded a Master of Horticulture by the Royal Horticultural Society of London, Timothy became director at the Oxford Botanic Garden which between 1992 & 2000 won 4 gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show London. He has also presented a 3-part series of films on the history of botany on BBC4.

Cost £34 for members, £42 for non-members. Includes lunch, coffee, and biscuits. Any non-member joining on the day will get a refund for the extra cost.

Please return the application form below to, Janet McQueen, 55, Manor Road, Enfield, EN2 0AN, email: jntmcqn@gmail.com  

Tel. 020 8367 7374 (mobile on the day if you are unable to come is 07771 637735).    Payment by bank transfer (preferred) or cheque made out to “The Arts Society Enfield.”

The Arts Society cannot be held responsible for any personal accident, loss, or theft of member’s personal property. Members are covered against proven liability to third parties.---------------------à---------------------------à-----------------------------à--------------------------------Tear here

Please reserve ______place(s) on the special interest day on Tuesday 5th November 2024

Name(s) _________________________________________________________________                                                                                    Arts Society member   Y / N    Contact tel. number _______________________________

I have paid by bank transfer, the amount of   £______________(Bank account: The Arts Society Enfield,   Sort code:   40 52 40   Account number: 00060358  and please put your name as the reference).  Or  I enclose a cheque £_______ payable to The Arts Society Enfield

A downloadable copy of this form can be found under "Our Society"and then "Documents"

Splendours of Mexico and Peru

with Chloe Sayer

On Tuesday 12th March 2024

At Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ

Doors open at 10.30am for coffee in advance of lecture starting at 11.00 am.

A 2-lecture day finishing about 2.45pm.

Ancient burial grounds in Mexico and Peru have yielded dazzling goldwork, fine ceramic vessels, and some of the richest textiles in the world. Before the Spanish conquest in 1519 numerous civilisations rose and fell, such as the Olmecs, the Maya, the Zapotecs and the warlike Aztecs. All these forged their own splendid and unique art styles on Mexican soil while in Peru the Incas developed one of the greatest planned sociétés that the world has ever known.

Today, the descendants of these once great peoples carry on many ancient traditions. Our speaker Chloe Sayer will display some contemporary textiles and other items from her collection for you to enjoy.

Cost £32 for members, £40 for non-members. Includes lunch, coffee and biscuits. Any non-member joining on the day will get a refund for the extra cost.

Please return the application form below to, Janet McQueen, 55, Manor Road, Enfield, EN2 0AN, email: jntmcqn@gmail.com  

Tel. 020 8367 7374 (mobile on the day if you are unable to come is 07771 637735).  

 Payment by bank transfer (preferred) or cheque made out to “The Arts Society Enfield”.

The Arts Society cannot be held responsible for any personal accident, loss or theft of member’s personal property. Members are covered against proven liability to third parties.---------------------à---------------------------à-----------------------------à--------------------------------Tear here

Please reserve ______place(s) on the special interest day on Tuesday 12th March 2024

Name(s) _________________________________________________________________                                                                                    Arts Society member   Y / N    Contact tel. number  _______________________________

I have paid by bank transfer, the amount of   £______________(Bank account: The Arts Society Enfield,   Sort code:   40 52 40   Account number: 00060358  and please put your name as the reference).     Or  -I enclose a cheque £_________ payable to “The Arts Society Enfield”.

A downloadable copy of this form can be found under "Our Society"and then "Documents"

The Crowning of the sovereign is an ancient ceremony rich in religiuos significance, historical associations and pageantry. During this special interest day we will look at the evolution of the coronation ceremony from Saxon times to King Charles III this very year.

This will be a three lecture day starting at 10.30 in Jubilee Hall. 

The printable booking form  is in DOCUMENTS ( look under "about us" ) but all the details are below.

HAPPY and GLORIOUS:

 1000 years of Coronations

with Barbara Askew

On Wednesday 15th November 2023

At Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ

Doors open at 10.00am for coffee in advance of lecture starting at 10.30 am.

A 3-lecture day finishing about 3.15pm.

The crowning of the sovereign is an ancient ceremony rich in religious significance, historical associations and pageantry. We will look at the evolution of the coronation ceremony from Saxon times up to the Coronation of King Charles III. First we examine the stages of the coronation from the Proclamation through to the Homage and hear of fascinating incidents, ill omens and memorable mishaps. The next talk gives an account of the different items of Coronation Regalia, explaining their history, ceremonial significance and liturgical symbolism. Finally an entertaining insight into the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and how the coronation of King Charles III this year differed from his mother’s.

Cost £36 for members, £44 for non-members. Includes lunch, coffee and biscuits. Any non-member joining on the day will get a refund for the extra cost.

Please return the application form below to,

Janet McQueen at 55, Manor Road, Enfield, EN2 0AN, or email: jntmcqn@gmail.com  

Tel. 020 8367 7374 (mobile on the day if you are unable to come is 07771 637735).  

 Payment by bank transfer (preferred) or cheque made out to “The Arts Society Enfield”.

The Arts Society cannot be held responsible for any personal accident, loss or theft of member’s personal property. Members are covered against proven liability to third parties.---------------------à---------------------------à-----------------------------à--------------------------------Tear here

Please reserve ____________place(s) on the special interest day on Wednesday 15th November 2023

Name(s) ______________________________________________________________________________                                                                                    Arts Society member   Y / N    Tel. number in case we need to contact you__________________________

I have paid by bank transfer, the amount of   £______________(Bank account: The Arts Society Enfield,   Sort code:   40 52 40   Account number: 00060358  and please put your name as the reference).  

 Or  -I enclose a cheque for the amount of £_________ payable to “The Arts Society Enfield”

Why Paris? 1900-1947

with Mary Alexander

On Wednesday 15th March 2023

At Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ

Doors open at 10.00am for coffee in advance of lecture starting at 10.30 am.

A 3-lecture day finishing about 3.15pm.

A day exploring how and why Paris has acted both as a magnet and a cauldron of talent for aspiring artists and designers. Discover more about the key events and personalities shaping the ‘City of Light’ during the first half of the twentieth century. Looking beyond the mainstream we will identify the creative individuals who shaped the Parisian concept of ‘modernity’ in art, design, interiors, fashion and photography.

Cost £32 for members, £38 for non-members. Includes lunch, coffee and biscuits. Any non-member joining on the day will get a refund for the extra cost.

Please return the application form below to,

Janet McQueen at 55, Manor Road, Enfield, EN2 0AN, or email: jntmcqn@gmail.com  

Tel. 020 8367 7374 (mobile on the day if you are unable to come is 07771 637735).  

 Payment by bank transfer (preferred) or cheque made out to “The Arts Society Enfield”.

The Arts Society cannot be held responsible for any personal accident, loss or theft of member’s personal property. Members are covered against proven liability to third parties.---------------------à---------------------------à-----------------------------à--------------------------------Tear here

Please reserve ____________place(s) on the special interest day on Wednesday 15th March 2023

Name(s) ______________________________________________________________________________                                                                                    Arts Society member   Y / N    Tel. number in case we need to contact you__________________________

I have paid by bank transfer, the amount of   £______________(Bank account: The Arts Society Enfield,   Sort code:   40 52 40   Account number: 00060358  and please put your name as the reference).  

 Or  -I enclose a cheque for the amount of £_________ payable to “The Arts Society Enfield”

This booking form is also avaialbe to print in the documents section of this website - look under the "Our Society" tab. There is also a handout on the Dream of Gerontius which attendees may find useful on the day. Please click on it and print out. NB it is 14 pages long.
The Enigma of Edward Elgar with Roger Askew

On Tuesday 15th November 2022

At Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ

Doors open at 10.00am for coffee in advance of lecture starting at 10.30 am and will be a 3-lecture day finishing about 3.15pm.

The day will explore the development of this extraordinary British musician and will be illustrated with many notable musical examples. Completely self-taught as a musician he had to contend with the prejudices of the musical establishment, religious bigotry and Victorian class consciousness. Despite this his music expresses for many a quintessential Englishness.

Cost £30 for members, £38 for non-members. Includes lunch, coffee and biscuits. Any non-member joining on the day will get a refund for the extra cost.

Please return the application form below to,

Janet McQueen at 55, Manor Road, Enfield, EN2 0AN, or email: jntmcqn@gmail.com  

Tel. 020 8367 7374 (mobile on the day if you are unable to come is 07771 637735).  

 Payment by bank transfer (preferred) or cheque made out to “The Arts Society Enfield”.

The Arts Society cannot be held responsible for any personal accident, loss or theft of member’s personal property. Members are covered against proven liability to third parties.--------------------------à---------------------------à-----------------------------à--------------------------------Tear here

Please reserve ____________place(s) on the special interest day on Tuesday 15th November 2022

Name _________________________________________________ Arts Society member   Y / N

Name_________________________________________________ Arts Society member    Y / N

Tel. number in case we need to contact you________________________________________

I have paid by bank transfer, the amount of   £________(Bank account: The Arts Society Enfield,   Sort code:   40 52 40   Account number: 00060358  and please put your name as the reference).  

 Or  -I enclose a cheque for the amount of £_________ payable to “The Arts Society Enfield”

The Arts Society Enfield invites you to 
The Faberge Imperial Easter Eggs      

A special interest day about the history of these fabulous objects before and after the Russian Revolution in 1917 with Toby Faber

On Tuesday 15th March 2022

At Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ

Doors open at 10.30am for coffee in advance of lecture starting at 11.00 am.

This will be a two lecture day finishing about 2.30pm. We will start in 1885 with the first gift given by Tsar Alexander III to his wife and cover the years before the Revolution and creation of over 50 eggs. Lunch will follow and then the second talk will cover the fate of these beautiful objects after the Revolution. Why not prepare for the day by visiting the exhibition at the V&A on Faberge in London?  Fourteen of these eggs are on display, several owned by Her Majesty the Queen.

Cost £32 for members, £40 for non-members. Includes lunch, coffee and biscuits. Any non-member joining on the day will get a refund for the extra cost.

Please return the application form to,

Janet McQueen at 55, Manor Road, Enfield, EN2 0AN, or email: jntmcqn@gmail.com  

Tel. 020 8367 7374 (mobile on the day if you are unable to come is 07771 637735).  

Payment by bank transfer (preferred) or cheque made out to “The Arts Society Enfield”. Bank account: The Arts Society Enfield,   Sort code:   40 52 40   Account number: 00060358  and please put your name as the reference.

Our next special interest day is

Cultural Revolution in the Heart of Europe: Prague, Ljubljana and Budapest

On Tuesday 9th November 2021

At Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ

Doors open at 10am for coffee in advance of lecture starting at 10.30am.

Cultural Revolution in the Heart of Europe. During the 19th century, when many Central European countries were still under the control of the Habsburgs in Vienna, art and culture were often the only ways in which the Empire’s constituent crownlands could express national identity. Just over a hundred years after the end of Habsburg dominance in Central Europe, this special interest day looks at three case studies, the Czech lands, Slovenia and Hungary, through the prism of their capital cities.

Cost £38 for members, £45 for non-members. Includes lunch, coffee and biscuits. Any non-member joining on the day will get a refund for the extra cost.

Please return the application form which can be found under documents (look under "Our Society" and it is at the bottom), to

Janet McQueen at 55, Manor Road, Enfield, EN2 0AN, or email: jntmcqn@gmail.com  

Tel. 020 8367 7374 (mobile on the day if you are unable to come is 07771 637735).  

 Payment by bank transfer (preferred) or cheque made out to “The Arts Society Enfield” 

Bank account detail are: The Arts Society Enfield,   Sort code:   40 52 40   Account number: 00060358  and please put your name as the reference).  

CANCELLED

Come with a piece of jewellery - it doesn't have to be Victorian -and after two talks on the history and making of Victorian jewellery we will look at those we have brought along and analyse their materials, manufacture and period.

Should be fun!

More information available nearer the event.

The Seine: RIVER OF LIGHT- Home to Impressionism

With Carole Petipher

 On Tuesday 10th March 2020

At Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ

Doors open at 10am for coffee in advance of lecture starting at 10.30am

The Seine was a great influence on the development of Impressionism. Artists came to seek inspiration and stayed. This series of three lectures follows the course of the river and the exploits of those who lived along it, and will seek to uncover new revelations.

We will start with the Seine Estuary which captured the nineteenth century imagination, before moving to Belle Epoque Paris and the small section of the river which became known as the cradle of impressionism, and then consider the way artists moved along the River, developing their art and markets following the Franco-Prussian war.

Cost £30 for members and £38 for non-members to include lunch and coffee. Any non-member joining on the day will get a refund for the extra cost.

Please apply to 

Janet McQueen at 55, Manor Road, Enfield, EN2 0AN, or email: jntmcqn@gmail.com  Tel. 020 8367 7374 (mobile on the day if you are unable to come is 07771 637735).   

 Payment by bank transfer or cheque made out to “The Arts Society Enfield”.

You can find the form with more information and an application form in "Documents" (see "Our Society" and it is at the bottom of the dropdown list, you may have to scroll down).

London: Plague, War and Fire,  is on Tuesday 12th November 2019

At Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ

Doors open at 10am for coffee in advance of lecture starting at 10.30am.

Cost £30 for members, £38 for non-members. Includes lunch, coffee and biscuits. Any non-member joining on the day will get a refund for the extra cost.

Booking is now open and you can find the form in "Documents" - go to "Our Society" and it is at the bottom of the list 

The Great Fire is arguably the most important watershed in the history of London and threatened the newly restored Stuart monarchy.  In three days it laid waste to 436 acres and destroyed 87 churches and more than 1,300 houses. Yet the wealth and entrepreneurial skills that were stimulated by the Fire led to the extraordinary financial success of London in the eighteenth century.

The first talk explores the rivalry between those who welcomed the return of the monarchy and those who saw Charles II’s dissolute reign as an affront to the religious passion and austerity of the interregnum. It describes the role of playwrights, painters and poets in supporting the monarchy and the medieval layout of London into areas associated with the Court, the Church and the City.  The second talk provides an account of the Plague and Fire through the diaries of John Evelyn and Samuel Pepys and contrasts the ways in which they were represented both visually and in terms of propaganda. The final talk explores the rebuilding and expansion of London and the work of Wren and Hawksmoor as well as lesser known architects.

Please return the application form to,

Janet McQueen at 55, Manor Road, Enfield, EN2 0AN, or email: jntmcqn@gmail.com  

Tel. 020 8367 7374 (mobile on the day if you are unable to come is 07771 637735).  

 Payment by bank transfer or cheque made out to “The Arts Society Enfield”.

This day is a special fund raising meeting given by our member Stuart Harvey who has been presenting talks on the history of London for over 20 years. He has frequently given lectures to the Corporation of the City of London at the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and is a qualified guide to St Paul's.

The lectures will concentrate mainly on the work, lives and loves of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Holman Hunt and John Everett Millais. There will be two lectures followed by lunch, the meeting finishing about 2pm.  The cost will be £20 for members of the Art Socety and £25 for non-members. If anyone joins on the day they will be refunded the extra £5.

The event will be held at Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ, with coffee available from 10.30am.

To book please either fill in the form under "documents",  email us via the contacts button or sign up at one of our meetings.

The Wit and Wisdom of Jane Austen: An Exploration of her Family Life, Letters and Early Work

with Karin Fernald

At Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ

Doors open at 10am for coffee in advance of lecture starting at 10.30am

 Cost £30 for members and £38 for non-members to include lunch and coffee. Any non-member joining on the day will get a refund for the extra cost.

This day will take us into the fascinating world of Jane Austen. Karin will bring her to vivid life through extensive research into her family life, letters, early plays and novels. The first lecture will focus on Jane Austen’s family life, while the second will look at the careers of her two sailor brothers, with reference to Mansfield Park and Persuasion. Finally there will be a costumed solo show entitled “We fainted alternately on the sofa” based on the author’s juvenile writings.

Karin Fernald, actor, researcher and speaker, is known for her entertaining lectures on celebrated correspondents and diarists from the 18th to early 20th centuries. Karin has just returned from the University of Cape Town Summer School, where she gave presentations on Jane Austen, including a new lecture- Jane Austen and the slave-trade.

Please return the application form to, - there is a printable version under About us/documents.

Janet McQueen at 55, Manor Road, Enfield, EN2 0AN, or email: jntmcqn@gmail.com  Tel. 020 8367 7374 (mobile on the day if you are unable to come is 07771 637735).   

 Payment  by bank transfer or cheque made out to “The Arts Society Enfield”.

The Arts Society cannot be held responsible for any personal accident, loss or theft of member’s personal property. Members are covered against proven liability to third parties.--------------------------à---------------------------à-----------------------------à-------------------   Tear here

Please reserve _________ place(s) on the study day Thursday 14th March 2019.

Name __________________________________________ Arts Society member   Y / N

Name__________________________________________ Arts Society member    Y / N

Tel. number in case we need to contact you________________________

I enclose a cheque for the amount of £_________ payable to “The Arts Society Enfield”

Or - I have paid by bank transfer, the amount of   £_________ (Bank account name: The Arts Society Enfield,   Sort code:    40 52 40     Account number: 00060358     and please put your name as the reference).

The first lecture of this study day will concentrate on the development of the Art and Poetry of the First World War in general. Following this Denis will look at Wilfred Owen in depth, both his life and his work. Finally we will hear about some of the music popular in the period much of which is still a favourite today. A number of pieces will be played on CD to enhance the lectures and give examples of the poetry and music created during this traumatic and challenging -but exceptionally creative -time.

Denis Moriarty spent most of his early life as BBCtv Music and Arts Producer including “Face the Music” with Joseph Cooper and Joyce Grenfell. He sang for years with the Philharmonic Orchestra and has published on buildings in the Cotswolds.

Cost £30 for members and £36 for non-members to include lunch and coffee.

The meeting will be held at Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ.

To book, please return the application form found in "Documents" (click on the "Our Society" tab and "Documents" is at the bottom of the list) or telephone 020 8367 7374. The forms will also be available at the September and October meetings in St Paul's as usual.

Three Victorian Mansions, their stories and their fates.

A Special Interest Day with Matthew Williams

on Tuesday 8th May 2018

At Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ

Doors open at 10am for coffee in advance of lecture starting at 10.30am

This study day will take us into the fascinating world of Victorian building and design. Looking at Highclere Castle – better now known as Downton Abbey, - Tyntesfield and Cardiff Castle, Matthew will delve into the differences and similarities in their history and use over the years. Which important Victorian Gothic architect and designer had a hand in the renewal of Waltham Abbey as well as Cardiff Castle? What is the shameful secret of Tyntesfield- where did the money come from for its extravagancies? Who are the real family of Highclere? Matthew will reveal the answer to these and much more.

Matthew Williams is an art and architectural historian and has been curator of Cardiff Castle for 25 years. He has been a long term and very popular lecturer to the Arts Society, as well as the National Trust and Victorian Society.

 Hopefully we will complement these tales with a coach trip to one or more of these places in the next year, so come along and learn about them before we go.

Cost £30 for members and £36 for non-members to include lunch and coffee.

Please return the application form which can be found in "Documents" under the  "Our Society" tab or contact 

Janet McQueen at 55, Manor Road, Enfield, EN2 0AN, or email: jntmcqn@gmail.com  Tel. 020 8367 7374 (mobile on the day if you are unable to come is 07771 637735).   

 Payment  by bank transfer or cheque made out to “The Arts Society Enfield”.

The Arts Society cannot be held responsible for any personal accident, loss or theft of member’s personal property. Members are covered against proven liability to third parties.

This study day will take us into the fascinating world of organic gems. We all have them in our houses and have admired and studied them in museums. But what are their origins? How have they been used through the ages? What are the current controversies, trade bans and cultural diversities?

Amber, ivory, jet and tortoiseshell are among these beautiful materials and Maggie Campbell Pedersen, President of the Gemmological Association and published author will look at these and others.

Please bring along your own objects to discuss and view, and after lunch Maggie will explain how the object and material can be identified and assessed.

Cost £30 for members and £36 for non-members to include lunch and coffee.

Please return the application form (found under the "About us" tab) to,

Janet McQueen  at 55, Manor Road, Enfield, EN2 0AN, or email: jntmcqn@gmail.com  Tel. 020 8367 7374  (mobile on the day if you are unable to come is 07771 637735).   

 Payment can be made by bank transfer or cheque made out to “The Arts Society Enfield”.

The Arts Society cannot be held responsible for any personal accident, loss or theft of member’s personal property. Members are covered against proven liability to third parties.

Booking is now open and booking forms will be avaialble at the September and October meetings and on the website now in the Documents section under "Our Society".

Art restoration has been the subject of some notorious controversies including Holbein’s Ambassadors & the Sistine Chapel Ceiling.  Evaluate a decades-long project to settle just which paintings Rembrandt did. Leonardo authority Martin Kemp is utterly convinced he has discovered a new work by the master – but many specialists beg to differ. Make up your own mind using artistic judgments just based on your life experience. Fake scientific and documentary evidence can play a big a role in forgery scandals as we discover in a “ripping yarns” survey of exotic rogues. Finally, we will look at taste- yours and others- would you back your opinion?

 David Phillips studied history at Oxford and has worked as a University lecturer as well as a museum curator. He is a published author and well-known Arts Society lecturer.

Cost £28 for Arts Society Enfield members and £35 for non-members to include lunch and coffee.

The day will be held at Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield EN2 0AJ, starting at 10.30 with coffee from 10am

Please complete the application form which is avaialble to download via the documents section under "Our Society", and will also be available at the September and October meetings.

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest continuously occupied castle in the world. It has been modified throughout its 900-year history to reflect the needs, ambitions and styles of many monarchs. We will hear about the evolution of the castle, the Kings and Queens who made changes and why. In particular, we will be looking at the Royal Library, its treasures and curiosities and taking a virtual tour to show how our Queen uses it to entertain her guests. 

The cost of this meeting is £30 for members and £35 for non members. It will be held in Jubilee Hall and starts at 10am with coffee before the lecture at 10.30. Lunch is included in the price. 

Looking forward to see you there, do book early as it is likely to fill up quickly, Oliver being one of our most popular speakers.

Booking is open now and booking forms will be availalble at the December. January and February meetings. Alternatively download the form on this website. To find the form go to "About us" and at the bottom of the list on the left open "Documents". You should be able to download and print the form. If you have any problems please contact us.

This should be a most interesting day and full of fun with our popular lecturer Andrew Davies.

From Bartholomew Fair to Marks and Spencer via Petticoat Lane and market crosses, we will explore the lively one thousand year history of "shop till you drop". Also shows a profusion of vintage posters, packaging and old shop fronts.

The meeting will be held at Jubilee Hall, Parsonage Lane, enfield and will start at 10.00.

Cost for the day is £30 and this includes morning coffee and lunch. Cheques should be made payable to "EDFAS" .

For a booking form see under "documents" which is to be found at the bottom of the list in "about us".  Alternatively forms are avaialble at the two meetings prior to the event.

A day spent looking at the theatrical personalities of the twentieth century. 

Further details including cost and how to book will be available in January 2016.

Please come along and join us in Jubilee Hall for what will be a fascinating day with Tom Duncan. 

Textile weaving has had a long history with origins in ancient Egypt and Greece, but it is the medieval period that large cycles of narrative tapestries appear. Religious themes such as the Apocalypse, and secular life caught in the magnificent Devonshire Hunting tapestries give us an unparalleled view of medieval society and beliefs.

The Renaissance introduced innovations with artists such as Raphael providing designs which would set standards for centuries to come. Early collectors such as Henry VIII and Bess of Hardwick built up huge collections. 

The price of £30includes morning coffee and lunch. To book please complete an application form (found by going to the "about us" tab and clicking on "documents" in the left hand list). Please send to Sandra Brookes with a cheque made payable to EDFAS. Alternatively book at the next EDFAS meeting at St Pauls in October. 

Many of the great – but smaller – European art collections are tucked away in side streets, country houses and provincial towns, known often only to connoisseurs and local communities. With an eye to important paintings, musical instruments and pictures with musical content, Peter Medhurst explores some of these quality galleries, and examines the contents of the Mauritshuis in The Hague, the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, Burghley House in Lincolnshire, the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, the Vleeshuis in Antwerp and the Ca’ Rezzonico in Venice. The lectures are illustrated throughout with live music both played and sung.

Booking forms for coach trips and special events are distributed at the 2 EDFAS meetings prior to the event so if you would like to attend please come along to one of these lectures or ask a representative to do so.

Booking forms for coach trips and special events are distributed at the 2 EDFAS meetings prior to the event so if you would like to attend please come along to one of these lectures or ask a representative.