Chair’s Message July 2025

Dear Members

As we approach the end of the current academic year, it seems opportune to write and update you on the latest news from the Society.

Since my New Year’s Message, we have enjoyed another varied and stimulating programme of events both in-person and via Zoom. Booking levels have been good and we have received much excellent feedback, as well as suggestions for future events. Our recordings of in-person events have also proved very successful and are now a standard feature of our offering, allowing many more members to participate in study events,
even when circumstances do not allow them to be present in-person.

None of this is possible without the commitment and hard work of our Organisers, Committee, volunteers, and wonderful Administrative Assistant, Judith Burt.

I can also let you know that the membership fee will remain unchanged for the 2025-26 membership year. We continue to monitor event fees but, for the moment, these will also remain unchanged from those announced last September.

Newsletter and Programme Card

Due to popular demand, and with thanks to Helen Janecek, we have reintroduced the Programme Card which is enclosed with this mailing.

As you will have read in July’s E-News Bulletin, and with thanks to Sue Anstruther, we are also reviving our January Newsletter. We would like to include an article featuring Members’ recommendations for galleries and buildings that other Members may not know – these might be described as “hidden gems”. They do not need to be in London. A couple of lines saying what is special about them is all that is needed and if you have a photo that would be very useful. We are hoping to have so many recommendations that some may need to be held back for the following issue. We are sure that many of you will have excellent recommendations to share with other members. Please send any suggestions to sueanstruther@gmail.com

New President

After so many years as figurehead of the Society, Prof Will Vaughan decided to step down in January from his role as President. We would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to him for the many years he has been involved with us.

I am however delighted to announce that Clare Ford-Wille has agreed to take over the role with immediate effect. As many of you know, Clare has been involved with the Society since its inception in October 1981 as ULEHMAS (University of London Extra- Mural History of Art Society). Despite the many other demands on her time, Clare has always been a tireless supporter of the Society, and we can think of no better successor for Will Vaughan.

Committee Members

Gillian Robinson decided in April to stand down from all Committee roles, including that of Joint Lecture Programme Co-ordinator. Gillian helped steer the Society through a difficult period and will be greatly missed by the Committee. Please join me in thanking her for all her hard work and commitment on behalf of the Society over the past 3 years.

A further change will take place in late November, as our Secretary, Geoff Shepherd, has indicated that he wishes to step down at the end of his 3-year tenure. There will be plenty of time to thank Geoff in the future, but in the meantime, we do need to find his successor to ensure a smooth transition.

Volunteering

As mentioned above, we now urgently need to find a successor for Geoff as the Society’s Secretary, ideally before our next Committee meeting on 13th August, as this would allow some shadowing of the tasks involved. Full training will be given for the role.

Apart from such specific roles, volunteering can also involve more spontaneous assistance such as helping pour coffee at an event, taking the register or liaising with an event organiser to help welcome new members.

If you would like to offer your help or have a chat about what might be involved, please feel free to contact me via my email address, chairman@londonarthistorysociety.org

The Year Ahead

You will already have seen much of the programme for the 2025-26 academic year in the Programme Card. Many, if not most, of the Autumn events are now open for booking and more events will be announced in late Summer / early Autumn. Please check the website for updates.

Wherever possible, we recommend early booking, not only to secure your place but also to give us certainty about whether an event will be financially viable.

If you have any ideas for future events and visits, please do let us know.

Thank you all again – members, Committee, volunteers and Judith – for your continuing support and contributing to our successful and vibrant Society.

Jeanette McCauley

Chair