The Committee
Hilary Alcock: Chair
I have been a NADFAS member for some years, initially joining South Lakes DFAS which meets in Kendal, but thrilled we now have a flourishing Society in the Fylde. I trained as a teacher, worked in London and Birmingham and then in Higher Education as a lecturer and OFSTED Inspector. I then moved into International Education and now am a freelance consultant. I am passionate about art and design!
Philip Bailey: Vice Chair
I have worked as an architect and town planner for over 30 years and have a professional involvement in conservation. Coming from the “Potteries” I had an early interest in ceramics and art generally. From my own artistic talents I went in the direction of architecture and town planning, this direction finally centering on architectural conservation work. My personal interests remained in ceramics, in particular Moorcroft, and extended into European paintings and Japanese bronzes during the period 1890-1930. I still enjoy sketching from life and dabbling in graphology.
Kate Cartmell: Programme Secretary
I have been involved in Primary Education for much of my life, and with an emphasis on art and creativity. After teaching in Cambridge, California and Lancashire I became a Schools’ Inspector. I have travelled far afield absorbing a wealth of antiquities, architecture old and new and modern art. Now retired, my pleasure is in photography, graphics and the natural and built environment. I have been a long-time member of NADFAS, frequent Heritage Volunteer and now Fylde DFAS!
Christine Cockburn: Outings Secretary
I was born in the North East of England and moved to Lytham St Annes with my family in 1976. I worked part-time for the Education Department for 15 years and finally retired from Local Government in 2007. I am interest in all aspects of the arts but particularly portrait painting and landscapes. I enjoy reading, photography, and visiting art galleries, museums, historic houses and churches in this country and abroad. I am also a member of the local Civic Society.
Gerry Corless: Committee Member
I spent the majority of my professional career in local government and served as Chief Executive in three separate authorities. After taking early retirement in 1996 I was given a number of government appointments including nine years as a member of the Parole Board. I was awarded a CBE in 1996 for services to local government. I have been a NADFAS member for fifteen years. I am also a member of the Historic Houses Association, National Trust and English Heritage. Since being a committee member of Fylde DFAS, I have been actively involved in Young Arts project work.
Olga Depledge: Membership Secretary
I was born in Switzerland and am a retired Civil Servant now living in St Annes. I have a general interest in the arts, the theatre, music, architecture and early twentieth -century painting – portraits rather than landscapes. Like many people my interest in painting is easily traced back to an inspirational teacher at school. if pushed I would probably pick Rembrandt or Georges de la Tour as my favourite artist. I also sing with LSA Choral Society.
Pam Foster: Committee Member
I have worked in the business information sector as an editor/consultant/researcher for most of my working life. I have a general interest in the arts, especially modern art, and am particularly interested in design. I can get as excited about the packaging as I can about the actual product! I joined DFAS to improve my knowledge of art and to meet like-minded people. I am also a founder member of the Friends of St. Annes Library, and am also a volunteer at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on behalf of the Epilepsy Information Network.
Marion Nuttall: Secretary
My interest in art began when I studied for my degree in Biology before working in Higher Education first as a lecturer and more recently as a manager. I was fascinated by the design and beauty of plants and am currently learning botanical illustration. My other interests include tennis, reading, nutrition, garden design and visiting art galleries. I joined Fylde DFAS to learn more about the arts and to meet people with similar interests.
John Parkinson:Treasurer
I qualified as a Chartered Accountant before working as an Investment Manager/Stockbroker for over 30 Years. Now retired I am involved in Charitable work being chairman of three charitable Trusts.We recently moved to live in St Annes and joined Fylde DFAS as a way of increasing our knowledge of fine art and meeting like minded people. My other hobbies include golf, cycling and playing bridge.
Marie Riley: Media and Communications Coordinator
Much of my working life has been spent in education and in the voluntary sector and I was a Tutor for the Worker’s Educational Association for fifteen years. I enjoy contemporary and classic fiction and taught English Literature at the University of Central Lancashire where I gained my PhD in 2003. Since joining Fylde DFAS, I have been able to learn more about visual arts and am enjoying broadening my knowledge and meeting new people.
Barbara Weston: Events Coordinator
My love of the Arts began when I was studying for a BA degree. At that time I was immersed in learning about painting in the period of industrialisation, eg. “Work” by Ford Madox Brown, and was fascinated by the designs created by Morris. Now my interests have widened. I like pottery, especially Moorcroft, watercolour painting, and enjoy visits to historic houses and art galleries. I am a member of Lytham St Annes Art and Civic Societies.
Our Portrait Photographer: Mary Woodland CPAGB
Mary started doing photography seriously in 1992 when she joined Lytham St Annes Photographic Society where she has served as President and is at present Vice President. She gained a Credit with the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain in 2001. Mary enjoys most aspects of photography, her favourite subjects being portraiture and dance.
