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Nicho Bull tells us about the Diamond Jubilee marking 60 years of Arts Society Chiltern & Chalfont’s founding
Sixty years ago, a small group of six women in the Chalfonts area of Buckinghamshire came together with a shared passion for the decorative and fine arts. Led by Patricia Fay, they formed what was then known as The Chiltern Antiques Group. Their aim was simple yet ambitious: to create a space for learning, appreciation, and community through expert-led lectures and a growing library of arts-related books.
Their enthusiasm proved infectious. As membership grew, nearby groups began to form, eventually uniting as the Chiltern Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (CADFAS). Momentum soon spread beyond Buckinghamshire, and before long, a national movement was born.
A formal national organisation — The National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) — established its headquarters in London. From here, a dedicated team supported local societies, interviewing and approving lecturers for a central directory and publishing a high-quality quarterly arts magazine distributed to all members. In 2017, in recognition of the organisation’s evolving identity and broader cultural mission, members voted for a name change: The Arts Society.
Celebrating a Legacy
One of Buckinghamshire’s early societies, Chalfont, merged last year with the region’s original group, Chiltern, creating The Arts Society Chiltern & Chalfont. It was this newly unified society that hosted a special Diamond Jubilee Celebration Lunch at Gerrards Cross Golf Club in June.
The event welcomed distinguished guests including Hilary Kay, President of The Arts Society and familiar face from BBC Antiques Roadshow, along with Earl Howe, Vice-President of the Society. The celebration brought together founding figures, long-standing members, and past Chairs in a warm and reflective gathering.
Speeches were delivered by the only surviving founding member, Cherry Aston, and by Rachel Fay, daughter of founder Patricia Fay. Their recollections offered a vivid picture of the Society’s early pioneering spirit. Contributions from other longstanding members further highlighted the commitment and camaraderie that shaped the Society’s first six decades.
Photos from the day show Hilary Kay addressing attendees and, in another moment, in conversation with Rachel Fay — with former Chair Chris Stanners pictured in the background.
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