An Introduction To Our New President
Penelope Chitty – Her Time with NADFAS
1972. New Forest Decorative and Fine Arts Society founded by Patricia Hallet
1974. Penelope joined -New Forest DFAS
1975. Penelope joined the committee
1976-7. Penelope became Vice- Chairman and Church Recorder
1978-82. Penelope became Chairman of New Forest DFAS
1980-82. First Area Representative for the Wessex Area
1982. Elected to the Executive Committee of NADFAS
1983. Chairman of Areas sub-committee
1984-5. Vice Chairman of NADFAS and became a guide in the private rooms of the
Royal Academy
1985. Deputised for the National Chairman in May and June
1986-8. Penelope became National Chairman of NADFAS
During her time as Chair of New Forest DFAS a small committee raised £7000 for the publication of a colour and black and white catalogue for Southampton Art Gallery. In 1981 it was decided to elect an area representative and Penelope was elected as the first Area representative for Wessex.
In 1987 Patricia Hallett launched her card game of the arts – consisting of 52 cards with 26 different paintings and the aim was to collect matching pairs.
1977-2010. Penelope was leader of New Forest Church Recorders
1989-1996. She was Area rep. for Hampshire Church Recorders
Penelope’s Time as National Chairman
Although she did not officially take over the role until April 1986, Penelope had to deputise for Judy Waples in May and June 1985
May 8th. Attended a NADFAS Tours Fundraiser at the Goldsmiths’ Hall -Fusing Forces
A fashion Show with Jean Muir
June 8th West Wycombe’s 10th Anniversary Dinner at Phyllis Court, Henley
June 9th. Nottingham’s 10th Anniversary Supper at Newstead Abbey
June 14th Patricia Fay Memorial Dinner at the House of Commons.
June 27th Elizabethan Occasion at Lambeth Palace
Resume of Penelope’s 2 years as National Chairman
Penelope’s job was to chair the two Council meetings and the AGM, the Annual Directory of Lecturers meeting and the lecturer selection sessions.
During her time as Chair there were 25 new societies set up and Penelope attended the inauguration of all of these. She also attended Area days and Special Days; one of these was at Biddulph Grange after the restoration of the amazing gardens ,where coincidentally her great grandfather had lived! She also attended the Painswick Rococco Gardens restoration.
Penelope also attended a variety of National Celebrations and NADFAS’s 20th anniversary at Christie’s with the Duchess of Gloucester. In fact Penelope attended 18 celebrations of 20th, 15th, 10th and 5th anniversaries with receptions, dinners and lectures.
She also attended several private views of exhibitions – the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy, the Clore Gallery at the Tate, showing the complete Turner collection and the Francis Hayman Exhibition at Kenwood House and at all of these she was asked to make a speech.
A busy lady indeed.