The Arts Society Waveney Valley Visit to an exhibition of some works of Sir Stanley Spencer at the Gainsborough House Gallery, Sudbury TUESDAY 10 MARCH 2026 A rare opportunity to see a collection of Spencer’s work curated around the theme of ‘Love and landscape’ which explores his deep emotional ties with Suffolk. He was an artist with a wholly original take on everything from garlic in a greenhouse to religious themes. He is considered to be a precursor and influencer of Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon.

At 9.30 the coach will pick you up from Bungay Buttercross and arrive at the gallery in time for coffee and a brief introduction. You will then be free to explore the exhibition and the rest of the gallery. Lunch may be taken in their small restaurant, but will need to be staggered. Otherwise, there is time to explore lovely Sudbury and choose one of the nearby pubs –“The Gainsborough Pub” or “ The Henny Swan” for lunch. If you choose the latter, we recommend that you make your own reservation. At 3ish we will meet at our drop-off point to board the coach for our return journey. Cost for gallery entry, talk, coffee and coach will be £49 per head.

Please see booking form in Documents

The Arts Society Waveney Valley

Visit to Munnings gallery

Wednesday 17th September

For those of you who have never been to this delightful centre, in the heart of the most beautiful Suffolk Countryside, and those of you who can’t wait to go again, this promises to be a joyous day out.

The coach will pick us up at the Bungay Buttercross at 9.30 and we should arrive comfortably at Dedham, in time for coffee in the beautiful grounds. We will have the galleries to ourselves as they are closed to general public in the mornings.

 The coach will wait for us in the large car park and then take us into Dedham , about under a mile away . This is truly a picture book village.. The bus can drop us off and pick us up from the Malborough. I imagine we’ll be ready to leave museum at 12.30-12.45 and allow our selves a good couple of hours for lunch and a wander.

I have it on local authority that The Sun , opposite the church is an excellent place for lunch and there is also the Boatyard restaurant down at the water’s edge which is very accessible. Those of you feeling mega flush can always pre-book your self a taxi from  the Munnings and indulge yourself at Milsoms! No pre booking required there, just plenty of dosh! The others, I would advise you have a browse on google ,and decide which appeals ,and possibly make a reservation.

We’ll all reconvene at Malborough to meet bus at about 3ish and I may try to see whether we can drive back via Flatford Mill. Its early days in planning at the mo!

 The total cost will be  £ 35.00 including entry fee and coach.

 Lunch will be your decision.

Please see booking form in Documents

Brighten up your January by joining us on our trip to Norwich Castle to see the Turner Exhibition.

To keep this simple please make your own way, car sharing to Park and Ride or Castle Quarter car park, to assemble in reception by 10.30am.

Followed by a short walk through one of the lovely historic areas of the city, along Tombland or Elm Hill to the Britons Arms, which is one of the oldest buildings in Norwich.  To arrive by 1.00pm.

There we will have a two course lunch, which is very reasonably priced. Food is all home cooked on the premises, by chef and owner Rick Ellis and guaranteed to be is delicious. Wine can be purchased from the bar.

Tickets for the day are £27, unless you have a National Art Fund pass, in which case you should tick the box on the booking form and will not be counted in group entry, but you will need to show it and pay just £20 for lunch.

Please see booking form in Documents for the menus and tick your preferences

The damp start from Bungay was soon improved by the warm welcome at Kettle’s Yard and coffee. A wander round the current Megan Rooney exhibition provoked mixed reaction.  Definitely “Marmite”!

The tiny entrance to the main house, announced by a customary sounding of a bell, allowed us in, in small groups, met by one of the many knowledgeable and engaging guides.

All were delighted as the house (which was actually four houses) opened like the Tardis, revealing an amazing variety of talented artists: Ben Nicolson, Henry Moore and a Lowry, to name but a few, all collected and lovingly displayed by previous owners, Jim and Helen Eade. We all succumbed to the charm and tranquility of the place.

A short sunlit amble through the old town, with time for lunch and then we regrouped at King’s College to meet our two very genial and informative guides, who enhanced our experience of the magnificent fan vaulted ceiling and beautiful stained glass windows.  Their fund of historical and architectural knowledge took the experience to new levels for us.

We wandered back through the wild flower meadows of the Backs, over the Cam, amused by the antics of the punters and onto the waiting coach.

Everyone seemed to have found it an enjoyable and well organized day, for which they thanked Lesley Goldie.

D.Raven and P.Harker (abridged)

The Arts Society Waveney Valley.     www.theartssocietywv.org.uk   

Visit to Kettle’s Yard and King’s College Chapel on Tuesday 2nd July 2024

Come with us to experience some of the magic of Cambridge, our lovely local university town.The coach will arrive at Bungay Buttercross at 9.15am. Arriving at Kettle’s Yard at approximately 10.45, there will be an opportunity to freshen up and get a coffee. You may visit the current exhibition of work by the exuberant South African artist, Megan Rooney. From approx.11.45 you will be escorted in groups of eleven into the house where you will be free to explore the charming permanent collection.

You can then choose whether to lunch at Kettles Yard or begin the 20 min ramble through the delightful old town centre, and lunch in one of the numerous cafes or restaurants along the way. (A map of the short walk and restaurants will be provided on the day.)

We plan to rendezvous at King’s College Chapel (entrance may be through Clare College gate – TBA) by 2.45pm latest, assembling in two groups for a guided tour of the chapel starting at 3.00pm.

The visit will end at 4.00pm, and we will leave via the rear entrance, crossing the beautiful grounds (Backs), and the famous bridge over the Cam.We will meet the coach on Queen’s Rd at approx. 4.30pm.

Tickets for the day will be £65, this includes coach hire, entry into Kettle’s Yard and King’s Chapel, plus two guides.

Please go to 'documents' to see a review of the day from two members.

BOOKING FORM
MAGIC CIRCLES AND PROTECTIVE SYMBOLS

A day visit to Crow’s Hall and Bedfield Hall Tuesday 13 June 2023

Name(s)................................................ ..........................................................

Address ............................................................................................................

............................................................. ..........................................................

Telephone. ............................................ Mobile.............................................. Email...............................................................................................................

Emergency contact number (will only be used in an emergency)

.........................................

Please print and complete this booking form and return to:

Sara Muldoon, 3A The Entry, Diss IP22 4NT
For further information: sara.muldoon@icloud.com. Tel: 01379 651259 / 07905 391629.

I require.............places at £66 each. Please enclose a cheque payable to: The Arts Society Diss.

Please note: The tour cannot go ahead if our group numbers less than 20, and therefore cheques must arrive with Sara Muldoon at the latest by Friday 26 May. Bookings will be accepted after this date provided the minimum number has been reached. In the event of the tour be- ing cancelled, your payment will be refunded. If you wish to cancel your place after 26 May, a refund can only be given in exceptional cir- cumstances.

Those on email will receive an acknowledgement on receipt of the booking form. For those not on email, please enclose an SAE if you would like a receipt.

Insurance disclaimer

Arts Society Diss cannot be held responsible for any personal accident, loss, damage, or theft of members’ personal property. Members and their guests are covered against proven liability to Third Parties whilst participating in the Society’s activities.
Charity Number: 1107043

Magic Circles and Protective Symbols Crow’s Hall and Bedfield Hall Tuesday 13 June 2023

This is a special day and a rare opportunity to see two beautiful moated houses in Suffolk that are not usually open to the public.  

Booking form below.

Crow's Hall

First of all we visit Crow’s Hall, approached by its long oak-lined avenue. Crow’s Hall is a mellow Tudor building which has undergone an award- winning restoration and is surrounded by a large fish- filled moat with two outer moats. The garden, with a courtyard, a formal pool garden and knot garden has been designed by Xa Tollemache.

After visiting the house, we cross the moat to the magnificent Tudor barn, one of the longest in the country, to learn about the magical symbols found in both houses, with artist and leading architectural historian Timothy Easton. Afterwards, lunch will be served in the barn.

Following lunch, there is a short drive to Timothy’s own house, Bedfield Hall, whose 17th century owner challenged the Devil to a duel. The tour includes the 11th century church, the beautiful two- acre garden and the house, built in 1422 with early 17th century wings. Most rooms have their early 17th century decorative schemes intact or restored, including a remarkable painted and inscribed ceiling with magical symbols to ward off evil.

The day starts at 10.30 am at Crow’s Hall, near Debenham, IP14 6NG and ends at Bedfield Hall, Bedfield, IP13 7JJ, at around 5.30 pm.

There will be coffee/tea and biscuits on arrival at Crow’s Hall and lunch will consist of ham and various cheeses, different salads, pickles, fruit, tea, coffee and soft drinks.

After the tour at Bedfield Hall tea will be served with scones and home-made cakes.

All refreshments and tours are included in the cost of £66 per person.

Bedfield Hall

Full directions to both houses will be provided on booking your place. Please consider lift-share, if you can.

For emergencies on the day, contact details are:

Sara Muldoon – 07905 391629 / 01379 651259 || sara.muldoon@icloud.com

Insurance disclaimer

Arts Society Diss cannot be held responsible for any personal accident, loss, damage, or theft of members’ personal property. Members and their guests are covered against proven liability to Third Parties whilst participating in the Society’s activities.

Charity Number: 1107043

Gainsborough's House and museum explores the life and art of Thomas Gainsborough.  One of the greatest artists of his age, he is renowned for his portrait and landscape paintings.  The house 'a most excellent Brickckt Mansion' was bought by John Gainsborough, the artist's father, in May 1722.  Thomas Gainsborough (1727 - 88) was born in Sudbury and was baptized there at the independent Meeting-House in Friars Street on 14 May 1727.  He lived here until around 1740 when, as a young teenager, he was sent to London to pursue a career as an artist.  He returned to Sudbury in the spring of 1749 until 1752 when he painted hisDepart celebrated Mr and Mrs Andrews.  He never lost the influence of his native town and country.  'Nature was his teacher, and the woods of Suffolk his accademy.' notedan obituary after his death in 1788.

Click here for a booking form

Depart:  Bus stop opposite the Bungay Butter Cross 9.45.

11.00  Coffee followed by introductory talk on arrival

11.15  Freeflow look around house and galleries.

1.00 lunch.  There is a cafe in the museum or there are cafes in Sudbury.

2.00  Visit to main exhibition 'Gainsborough and the Legacy of Lanscape'.

Return 3.15.  Board coach to return. 

.