September 13, 2026 for FIVE DAYS
Holiday in North Wales
Hotel in Caernafon
Outings to places of interest in the area.
Further details to follow.
Speak to Jill Horberry for the latest information
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Study Day
Sturton by Stow Village Hall
Athletics and aesthetics
Enjoy a day of entertaining lectures from writer and historian Simon Inglis who specialises in the architecture
and heritage of sport and recreation. He has worked with Heritage and Historic England for
many years to help ensure that Britain's unique sporting and recreational heritage is protected
and enjoyed.
Although sport and recreation might seem an unlikely subject for The Arts Society, non-sporty
types need have no fear. Simon’s themes are architecture, design, heritage and popular
culture. An outline of Simon’s three lectures for the day is given below.
“Mens Sana in Corpore Sana”.
Tennis, golf, cricket, rugby and football all have their roots in the British Isles.
For the Victorians, borrowing a line from the poet Ovid, the absolute ideal was 'a healthy mind in a healthy body’.
In a world where gymnasiums are as ubiquitous as corner shops, this lecture introduces us to the evolution of the
Athletic Aesthetic and its impact upon our lives, art, fashion and popular culture.
Great Lengths - the art and architecture of swimming
Although the Romans built lavish public baths they rarely swam, while the Elizabethans actually shunned bathing.
Finally the Georgians rediscovered the benefits of immersion, and Britain is able to boast a stock of
wonderful historic pools and lidos, from Victorian pomp to Art Deco modernity.
Many national treasures will be on view (and some local ones too).
A load of old balls!
According to American historian Barbara Tuchman the evolution of the ball is second in
importance to mankind only to the invention of the wheel. Lawn tennis came about
following two vital technological breakthroughs. Golf was transformed by the discovery of gutta percha.
Football became ubiquitous thanks to synthetic rubber. And in America experiments with billiard balls
led to gun fights, but saved thousands of elephants in the process.
Meanwhile, the good old cricket ball has barely changed for two hundred years - a triumph of British design.
The Study Day will start at 10.00 for 10.30am. A cooked lunch and breaks for coffee and
biscuits will be included as usual, allowing opportunities for socialising with friends. Costs
will remain as they have been for some time: - members £44 and non-members £46.
Committee members will be available at the TASGAD meetings on 3rd September and 1st
October.