A Bourne End society celebrated their 50th anniversary with birthday cake and balloons last week.

The Thames Decorative and Fine Arts Society (TDFAS) marked half a century since their inauguration and treated their members to an “excellent” birthday celebration at the Bourne End Community Centre on March 9.

The society, which meets once a month at the centre in Wakeman Road, has 250 members and is a branch of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Society (NADFAS).

They are the third oldest branch in the country and have been holding their monthly meeting at the centre since 1969.

On the day of their 50th birthday celebrations, they started with a lecture entitled The Lure of Italy presented by Peter Medhurst, singer, pianist, lecture-recitalist and one of the most admired presenters on the NADFAS circuit. 

The talk was followed by a buffet lunch attended by the national chairman of NADFAS June Robinson, area chairman Dory Thompson, current TDFAS chairman Clare Setchell and several past chair of the society. 

A ceremonial cutting of a cake, emblazoned with the NADFAS logo, by June followed the lunch; then there was a toast by Dory, in which she thanked the members for their support and wished them well for the future.

Finally in the afternoon quests were treated to a recital with Peter Medhurst and Jeremy Limb on piano.

Julie Wardell, Joint Membership Secretary at TDFAS said: “This perfectly concluded what had been a delightful day for all concerned.”

The group meets regularly for lectures, days of special interest and visits on a range of subjects connected to the arts.

Visit www.thamesdfas.org.uk for more information.