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SHREWSBURY Shrewsbury DFAS was delighted by the standard of entries for a new arts bursary it has created to commemorate HM The Queen’s 90th birthday. The winner of the £2,000 award was 18-year-old Callum Blees, a metal sculptor and former pupil of Shrewsbury College. Callum had taken a year out to study welding and gained work experience at Gofannon Forge in mid-Wales. In 2018 he will take up a place at Hertfordshire University to study Model Design. STAFFORD Volunteers from Stafford DFAS were proud to present a thorough and detailed record of Our Lady of the Assumption church in Swynnerton, Staffordshire, to Friar Paul Chavasse and Lord Stafford, owner of the Swynnerton Park estate. A special kneeler was also presented to Lady Stafford. Since there have been few Church Records made of Catholic churches, the task represented quite a challenge to the truly dedicated team.4 Our Lady of the Assumption, Swynnerton STRATFORD-UPON-AVONWine, oil and vinegar were some of the surprising answers to the question of “what is in the font?” at the trial run of a Children’s Trail created by volunteers from The Arts Society Stratford-Upon-Avon at Holy Trinity Church in the town. William Shakespeare is buried there, so some questions were about his life and his grave, while other questions asked about family coats of arms, stained glass windows and the 13th-century Sanctuary Knocker. One child commented: “It was a real challenge, but fun at the same time.” CHILTERNChiltern DFAS launched a Children’s Trail at the beautiful 12th-century church of St Giles in Chalfont St Giles in May. The aim of the trails is to encourage children and families to explore important community buildings, learn about them and have fun.The trail launch formed part of the church’s Rejoice celebrations, which featured a variety of events, including a painting competition for children from the village school organised by further volunteers from Chiltern DFAS. The children’s paintings were on display in the church. 234169The Arts Society ReviewAutumn 2017