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For the third year running, Sanderstead DFAS has sponsored a three-day art workshop for Year Nine students from Riddlesdown Collegiate, led by professional artist Ben Senior.Members from the Society were among parents and school staff at the display of work at the end of the third day. Riddlesdown’s Director of Art said with delight that she could see the students visibly “standing taller” as they talked to the Sanderstead DFAS members, receiving praise and recognition for what they had achieved. Three students from the 2014 project came and talked about how they had benefi tted.Salisbury helps make myths a reality for carersSanderstead students stand tall after three-day art workshopsSarum DFAS, together with Salisbury Festival and Youth Action Wiltshire helped fund and organise shadow puppet design workshops for 22 young carers between the ages of 14 and 18. Led by professional artists from Two Destination Language, the overall project consisted of four workshop days, culminating on May 29 at the ‘Young mythmakers’ standalone event at the festival. The impressively designed animated puppets, including a particularly evocative ‘Donald Trump’, were displayed in a specially constructed shadow theatre in a large tent on the cathedral lawns. Over 300 children, parents and families visited the tent. The young carers’ puppets were framed as a memento of the project. In a fi rst for the festival, the organisers were able to enter them for an Arts Award qualifi cation (from Trinity College, London) and 19 were successful.OBITUARIESANNIVERSARIESSONIA MOORESonia Moore was a stalwart of Crosby DFAS and had been Programme Secretary for many years. After her death it was decided to hold a study day in her honour, a fi tting tribute to a very popular lady.MICHAEL JONESGainsborough & District DFAS is sorry to announce the death of its Treasurer, Michael D Jones, in May. He had been a member for many years and held most of the major posts in the Society. The members send their deepest sympathies to his wife Barbara and their family.HAMPSTEAD HEATHCommittee members from 1991 to the present day joined together to celebrate 25 years of Hampstead Heath DFAS. The atmosphere was vibrant and all agreed on the value of the lectures/special interest days and the many good friends that have been made.HAGUE DFASHague DFAS celebrated its 25th anniversary with three extra events. The year started with an evening hosted by the British Ambassador and including Peter Medhurst (pictured) and concluded with a visit by National Chairman June Robinson. Beaconsfi eld DFAS support lets primary pupils’ artwork blossomBeaconsfi eld DFAS Young Arts Representative Sue Davies has been working with a local primary school to develop its artistic offering. The Society paid for the School Arts Coordinator to attend a special conference so that the school could become a registered Arts Award Centre. The school is now able to enter individual children, who have to include their own work and research to qualify for awards. The students are also embarking on a fashion week. Beaconsfi eld DFAS also supported the school by buying pens and inks for use in a Japan project for Year Five, where Japanese art and cherry blossom were used as inspiration. The resulting work was presented by the children at the Society July meeting. Financial support will continue for a further year. Top: Japan-themed artwork was shown to members in JulyAbove: Young carers made shadow puppets at special workshopsAbove: Year Nine students took part in a three-day art event72 NADFAS REVIEW / WINTER 2016 www.nadfas.org.ukSOCIETIES NEWS