Monday 16th February 2026. 10:30 – 3:00pm

At The Memorial Hall, Little Baddow, Essex, CM3 4TA

Cost: £50 - to include lunch and refreshments

The speaker is Mark Hill (you might recognise him from the TV programme, Antiques Roadshow) and he will give two lectures in the morning and in the afternoon a mini 'Antiques Roadshow' style valuation and identification or Q&A session of items brought in by you, ideally focused on ceramics and glass, i.e. his speciality.

Lecture 1
Cracking Glass - An overview of Britain’s ‘Big Four’ post-war glass companies, comprising Whitefriars, King’s Lynn (Wedgwood), Caithness and Dartington. In addition to the histories of companies and designers, special slides examine, compare and contrast ‘Good, Better, Best’ examples from each company. The emergence of these factories is put into context and major influences behind them are discussed. The current glut of Whitefriars fakes are covered, including tips on how to spot them.

Refreshments

Lecture 2
Undressing Antiques.
“Antiques.  I don’t understand them and they’re beyond my budget.  They’re not for me.”  
A persuasive introduction to buying antiques and integrating and using them in today’s homes.  
The state of the antiques market and the different meanings of the word ‘value’ are considered, and we take a look at what current and future generations of collectors are buying, why they are buying it and how they are displaying it.

Ploughman’s Lunch with glass of wine or soft drink

Session 3
Mini 'Antiques Roadshow' style valuation and identification, or Q&A session, of items brought in by you, ideally focused on ceramics and glass, i.e. his speciality.

Mark Hill studied History of Art & Architecture (BA Hons), and began his career as a porter and Junior Cataloguer at Bonhams, before moving to Sotheby's where he was a Specialist in the Collectors' Department. Became director of an internet company forming and running a ground-breaking deal with eBay Live Auctions. Was co-author of the internationally published Collectables Price Guide with Judith Miller from 2002-17. Founded his own publishing company in 2005 and has published over 15 books on emerging specialist subjects in the decorative arts. A Miscellaneous expert on the BBC 'Antiques Roadshow' since 2007 and an expert on the BBC's 'Antiques Roadtrip', has also co-presented five primetime TV series on antiques and collecting for BBC2. A member of the British Antiques Dealers' Association (BADA.org). Senior Vice President at a company offering digital solutions to the antiques industry. Has lectured across the world, including at the V&A in London, and contributed to many newspapers, magazines, radio and TV programmes. A Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars and a Freeman of the City of London.

Little Baddow Memorial Hall, Little Baddow, Chelmsford CM3 4TA

Cost £40 per person, to include lunch and refreshments

Please address enquiries and to book a place to:

Mrs Megan Bashir. Email meganbashir@gmail.com TEL: 01277 374314

PROGRAMME

10:00                  Registration & Coffee

10:30                  Lecture 1

11:30                  Break

11:45                  Lecture 2

12:45 - 13;30      Lunch

13:30                  Lecture 3

OUTLINE OF THE LECTURES

In 2025 the 100th anniversary of the International 1025 Arts Décoratifs Exhibition in Paris was celebrated - giving its name to the style later to become known as. Art Deco.  Visitors from around the world, museum curators, retailers, and the international press descended on Paris to see and ask such questions as - 

• Why Paris?
• Was there a distinctive style?
• Who were the key movers and shakers?
• Which were the key disseminators?

Using original black and white photographs set against actural colour artefacts, we will recreate the experience of laking throught he stunning showcase pavilions.

Biography: 

Mary Alexander trained as an art historian and graduated with a BA Hons in History & History of Art (University College London) and later an MA (with Distinction) in History of Art (University College London). She moved to Manchester to take up the post of Assistant Curator at Platt Hall, the Gallery of English Costume, a renowned collection of historic dress. Subsequently she lectured in art history at the University of Leeds, the Open University and Manchester University Extra Mural Department. From 1995 - 2008, she was a Visiting Lecturer at Christie’s Education in London. Mary has also combined academic work with the world of design consultancy. In 1985 she joined Pentagram Design in London, a leading international design consultancy, and coordinated client presentations, publications, conferences and international special events, including the 1986 British Design event in Aspen Colorado. In 1988 she transferred to Pentagram’s New York office with the task of organising an international design conference held at Stanford University involving business, design and education leaders. As an experienced international speaker, Mary lectures regularly for The Arts Society throughout the UK, Europe and Australia and New Zealand. She also contributes articles to magazines, newspapers and professional journals. She was President of The Arts Society Glaven Valley, Norfolk from 2016- 2021.  

If you would like to find out more about this Exposition and Art Deco you could click on the places below:

Wikipedia

The Art Deco Society

The Metropolis Magazine

THE WORLD’S GREATEST PAINTINGS: 200 YEARS OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY

With Simon Whitehouse

The Memorial Hall, Little Baddow

Cost:  £40 per person inclusive of lunch

2024 marks the bicentenary of the founding of the National Gallery. This Study Day tells the story of the establishment of the NG collection beginning in 1824 when Lord Liverpool’s government purchased 38 paintings for £57,000 from the businessman and philanthropist John Julius Angerstein. The paintings were initially displayed at 100 Pall Mall, Angerstein’s town house but by 1838 it was decided that a purpose built building was required, giving us the William Wilkins designed building on Trafalgar Square.

Please address enquiries and to book a place to: Mrs Megan Bashir, Kumra Lodge, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood CM15 0JX. TEL: 01277 374314, Email: meganbashir@gmail.com

LECTURE ONE 

1824 – 1838

In 1824, following increasing public pressure, Lord Liverpool’s government bought 38 Old Master paintings from the collection of John Julius Angerstein and thus the National Gallery was born. In this first lecture, we examine some of the “Angerstein 38” (including a fearsome Pope along with paintings bequeathed by Sir George Beaumont) and discover where the paintings were displayed before they found a purpose built home in Trafalgar Square.

LECTURE TWO

1838 – 1914

Now in its new location, pressure builds to create a ‘survey’ collection telling a much wider story of Western European art. We meet the first Director, Sir Charles Eastlake and some of his often controversial acquisitions (including the oldest painting in the collection). We tell the story of the Art Fund and how it saved numerous works, including a Velazquez Venus that was the focus of one of the National Gallery’s most infamous security breaches!

LECTURE THREE 

1914 – Today

The final lecture sees the National Gallery under attack in two World Wars, leading to the creation of the ‘Picture of the Month’. We discuss the danger posed to a Duchess, a Duke that was the subject of the only successful theft in the gallery’s history! We conclude with the much derided design of the Sainsbury Wing expansion of the gallery, and look ahead to the next chapter in the story of the gallery’s extraordinary history.

Simon Whitehouse

Biography: 

Simon is a (recovering) actor, lecturer, presenter, Alexander Technique and voice teacher and award winning London Blue Badge guide. He has worked as a guide lecturer in house at Shakespeare’s Globe, the Royal Opera House, the BBC and the National Gallery guiding both public and private tours. He is on the faculty of Ithaca College and also lectures for the Blue Badge Guide training course on the performing arts and English literature. Simon’s specialisms and passions are theatre, literature, fashion and art history but whatever the subject, Simon will weave a wonderful story from it.

AN ESSEX AREA DAY OF SPECIAL INTEREST

MERRILY ON HIGH, THE HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH CHRISTMAS CAROL 

With Peter Medhurst

 MONDAY 20th November 2023

Little Baddow Memorial Hall, Little Baddow, Chelmsford CM3 4TA
 

£38 per booking to include morning coffee and a light lunch with wine and soft drinks

PROGRAMME

10.00                    Registration and Coffee 

10.30                    Lecture 1

11.30                    Break

11.45                    Lecture 2

12.45 - 13.30.       Lunch

13.30 – 14.30.      Lecture 3

During the course of three one hour lectures Peter traces the progress of the English Christmas Carol through seven centuries of continuous development, and explores the many fascinating stories that lie behind our popular seasonal songs. Carols discussed include God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Adeste Fideles, In the Bleak Midwinter, and many more.

For more information and to book place on this study day please contact 

Megan Bashir Email: meganbashir@gmail.com Tel: 01277 374 314

The hall will open at 10 am for tea or coffee before lecture.

Meeting Venue
The New Windmill Hall, St Mary's Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QH

The cost of the study day is £35.

Payment details:

Nat West  - The Arts Society Havering 

Sort Code - 60 19 09  Account number - 96616857

The day will have three lectures two in the morning and one in the afternoon. The cost includes a light lunch between lectures two and three, plus drinks during the break between lecture one and two.  Coffee will also be served at lunchtime. The lunch will cater for the gluten free and vegetarians.

For further information please contact Roger Dines on 07985 367492 or rogeralandines@gmail.com

About Pip...

Pip Burley began his career as a musician playing with the big bands in the 60’s and 70’s, including Sydney Lipton, Joe Loss and Ken Mackintosh.  He went on to compose and record music for commercials, theatre, film and television and, in 1990, won an Ivor Novello Award for best television theme music for The Darling Buds of May- a series he also produced, discovering Catherine Zeta-Jones in the process.  His other successes on TV include one of the most watched police series of all time - A Touch of Frostcreated for and starring David Jason.  

AN ESSEX AREA DAY OF SPECIAL INTEREST 

Little Baddow Memorial Hall, Little Baddow, Chelmsford CM3 4TA

Cost £38 per person

PROGRAMME

• 10.00.                Registration & Coffee
• 10.30                 Lecture 1
• 11.30.                Break
• 11.45                 Lecture 2
• 12.45 -13.30.     Lunch 
• 13.30 -14.30.     Lecture 3

 This wonderful river in France, often referred to as the River of Light, was a great influence on the 19th Century artists and the development of Impressionism. From the luminescent estuary which first attracted them, to the area west of Paris which became known as the Cradle of Impressionism, they came in their droves to seek inspiration. These three lectures follow the course of the river, a travelogue with the Impressionists at its core, tracking their exploits along it and uncovering new revelations.

Please address enquiries and to book a place to:  

Mrs Megan Bashir, Kumra Lodge, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood CM15 0JX. TEL: 01277 374314

Email: meganbashir@gmail.com

An Essex Area Study Day with Peter Medhurst

Monday 22nd November 2022

Cost £38 per person

10.00      Registration and Coffee 

10.30      Lecture 1        

11.30      Break

11.45      Lecture 2        

12.45 - 13.30 Lunch 

13.30      Lecture 3       

2.30        Close of Day

For more information and to book a place please contact Megan Bashir

meganbashir@gmail.com      Tel: 01277 374314

 Little Baddow Memorial Hall, Little Baddow, Chelmsford CM3 4TA

Cost £38 per person

PROGRAMME

10.00.                 Registration & Coffee

10.30                  Lecture 1

11.30                  Break

11.45                  Lecture 2

12.45 -13.30.      Lunch

13 30 -14.30.      Lecture 3

How did the British view themselves and their subjects in the era of imperialism? How did imperial subjects view the British? This study day considers these questions by exploring a range of images, buildings, objects and art forms from across the British Empire. Beginning with a broad view of the empire and imperial art in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, we will then focus more closely on imperial India, examining the arts and architecture of the capital city of Calcutta, the ‘second city’ of the British Empire throughout the nineteenth century, and look at the life and art of one of India’s cultural giants, Rabindranath Tagore.

Please address enquiries and to book a place to:  

Mrs Megan Bashir, Kumra Lodge, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood CM15 0JX.

Email: meganbashir@gmail.com        Tel: 01277 374314

                                              The Marquesses of Bute: Patrons of Opulence

An Area Study Day on Zoom with Mathew Williams 

Monday 22nd November 2021

Fee: £12.50 per device

The Marquesses of Bute are an ancient Scots family, whose traditional desire for privacy has made their legacy one of the great secrets of Britain’s heritage. Their ‘stately homes’ in Scotland, England and Wales include Cardiff Castle, Mount Stuart, as well as Dumfries House, the Scottish base of HRH The Prince of Wales.

The Butes made a vast fortune from the Victorian coal industry, but chose to spend it on the restoration and re-building of their inheritance, creating some of the most spectacular and sometimes quirky interiors of the C19th.

During the three lectures that make up this study day, Mathew, recently retired Curator of Cardiff Castle, will introduce the Bute family and take us through three centuries of artistic patronage and the architects and craftsmen who delight and amuse.

Registration From 10.10

Lecture 1        10.30 – 11.30

Lecture 2        11.50 – 12.50

Lunch Break

Lecture 3        1.30 – 2.30

For more information and to book a place please contact Megan Bashir

meganbashir@gmail.com      Tel: 01277 374 314

What an excellent day we had with Peter Medhurst - music and art and lunch!

STUDY DAY

THURSDAY 24th OCTOBER

Little Baddow Memorial Hall 10-2.30pm

Peter Medhurst

Music in the Great Art Collections of Europe

The study day is illustrated throughout with live music sung and played with

virginals or the harpsichord

10am  Coffee

10.30-11.30      

Session 1 Burghley House – Lincolnshire, The Fitzwilliam Museum – Cambridge, The Bate Collection  – Oxford

11.45-12.45  

Session 2  The Mauritshuis – The Hague, The Vleeshuis – Antwerp

12.45-1.30 Lunch

1.30-2.30    

Session 3 Ca’ Rezzonico – Venice, The Dulwich Picture Gallery – London

Tickets £35  

The study day is illustrated throughout with live music sung and played with virginals or the harpsichord

Tickets £35  

from Mary Klaber  Cuckoos Farm Little Baddow CM3 4BN        cuckoosfarm@hotmail.com  tel  01245224539

Cheques to The Arts Society Mid Essex. (please enclose sae)

THE ARTS SOCIETY MID ESSEX

DAY OF SPECIAL INTEREST

FRIDAY 2nd NOVEMBER

AT LITTLE BADDOW MEMORIAL HALL CM3 4TA

Looking at Me Looking at You

                                       The Representation of Women in Western Art

By Linda Smith MA

Programme

10.00  Registration & Coffee

10.30 Lecture One-

          Looking Back-from Antiquity to Renaissance

11.30 Break

11.45 Lecture Two-

          Looking the Part- Some Women in British Art

12.45 Light Lunch

1.30 Lecture Three-

         What are you looking at At-20C Art and Feminism

£30  including lunch and all drinks