After a career in industry with Ford Motor, British Steel and the CEGB/National Power, David settled in Bradford-on-Avon. He spent 17 years as a volunteer managing the SSAFA (Armed Forces Charity) activities in Bath & NE Somerset. He was also a Mayor’s Guide in Bath for 11 years. He first heard of the Arts Society on a D1 bus journey from Bath five years ago, when sitting next to a lady, who was then the Membership Secretary of The Arts Society North Wiltshire. He and the lady, Maggie Keith, are now married: she is now the Secretary and he the Chairman of the Society. David is a great lover of Italian opera.

Geoff has spent over 60 years in the agricultural and sports ground maintenance equipment industries, involving travel to over 50 countries, including living in Australia, New Guinea, and Eire.

In 1989 he moved to Wiltshire with Ann, to run the Devizes business, Kidd Farm Machinery. At the same time, he joined the board of Lackham College and became Chairman in 1996, leading the creation of Wiltshire College, where he continued as Chairman until 2010.

In 2016 Ann, who was a member of the then, North Wiltshire NADFAS committee, “volunteered” Geoff to take on the role as treasurer. Geoff retired from this role in October but remains an active member of the Committee in his role as Vice-Chairman.

Throughout his travels Geoff has developed a great respect for the skills of sculptors. His prize pieces are an original bronze of three elephants by the South African artist, Barry Jackson, and a six foot crocodile that has travelled with him since leaving New Guinea.

Alfred was born in Genoa, Italy. After attending University in Genoa he moved to the U.K. to continue his studies and eventually decided to stay. He originally trained as a Quantity Surveyor for Oxfordshire County Council but when the service closed he was transferred to the Treasurer’s Department where he started the long process of becoming a qualified accountant. Alfred moved to Bath City Council and finally qualified as a Chartered Public Finance Accountant in 1992. He then moved to Kingswood Borough Council to be the Chief Accountant, a position which he retained in South Gloucestershire Council. Alfred retired in 2011 as Head of Financial Reporting. A year after retirement he went back to work on temporary contracts which finally ended in 2017. While working Alfred studied for and obtained an MSc degree in financial management from UWE. Alfred’s last volunteer job was as trustee and treasurer for the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society which runs the Devizes Museum. Alfred lives in Calne with his wife Dina and his hobbies are travel, gardening, collecting and art.”

Maggie was born on Ascension Island. At the age of eight the family moved to Jamaica for two years and then back to the UK. After A levels she did a bilingual secretarial course.

With travel in her blood she soon went to Brussels and then to Rome to work. She returned to London after about five years where she had a variety of Secretary/PA jobs which included working for a French General in the London office of Aerospatiale, the Editor of the Guardian newspaper, the Chairman and Chief Executive of BOC and latterly for a British family who formerly owned Christie’s..

Retiring to Bradford on Avon in 2010 she was introduced to NADFAS by a friend in 2013 and met Christine O’Reilly (our then Chairman) on a trip to the opera in Bristol who asked if she might like to help on the Committee. Maggie agreed to this, not realising just exactly how long she would be “helping out “.

After a life of travelling with the army and living in the USA, Zimbabwe, Germany and Rome, Jilly finally settled with her family in Wiltshire 24 years ago. She very soon became involved with her local dramatic society and first ‘trod the boards’ as Miss Jean Brodie in the eponymous play. Since then she has played several roles including chairing their committee for some years. She also worked supporting a Doctoral Programme at the University of Bath for 15 years until her (official) retirement.

Jilly enjoys playing tennis, volunteering at Dorothy House hospice, singing with Philomel Singers and now working with The Arts Society. Her love of art was consummated during her time in Rome; she particularly loved the Italian Renaissance, but more recently, has embraced Modern and Contemporary art, and enjoys visiting the Frieze Art Fair each year.

Anthea has been a member of the Society for six years and thoroughly enjoys her role as Membership Secretary which she took on in 2019. Anthea spent her working life as a history teacher and found teaching older pupils to GCSE and A level particularly rewarding. She has a wide range of interests across all aspects of the arts, including art history, theatre, dance and music. She is especially interested in the Renaissance, Chippendale furniture and The Arts and Crafts movement.

After studying History at the University of London, Ann Marie spent over 30 years working in Professional Services in the City of London (Barclays and Linklaters) where she specialised in recruitment, development and training. In 2002, Ann Marie set up her own consultancy which focused on leadership and personal development. Now retired, Ann Marie remains passionate about supporting young people to develop and maximise their potential and she is delighted to have joined The Arts Society North Wiltshire committee to identify and facilitate projects across our communities.

Ann Marie moved to Bradford on Avon in 2015 but has known Wiltshire since 1980 when her parents moved to the area. Having travelled widely for work and pleasure, Ann Marie now enjoys a quieter life, although remains a Friend of the Royal Opera House and is often known to travel to London to watch dress rehearsals of the Royal Ballet and visit art exhibitions. She is a keen swimmer and gardener and enjoys holidays by, on or in the sea.

Keith joined the Committee in 2023 after a career in recruitment for KPMG. Not surprisingly he now handles recruitment and marketing for the Society. Keith is passionate about early Italian Renaissance Art. Favourite art work is the Fra Angelico Annunciation in San Marco Florence

When the youngest child started school Julie did a History of Art Course run by Bristol University. This led to her joining NADFAS; her roles have included Membership Secretary, Young Arts and Chairman. It was on relinquishing the latter role that she took up arranging study days for Wessex where she was also involved in the Artfest exhibitions. One way and another she has been on a NADFAS/Arts Society committee since 1992. Julie gets immense satisfaction from arranging Special Interest study days of which she has organised 14 in total.

Julie’s favourite building is the Tithe Barn in Bradford on Avon.

After a career in education, with roles ranging from classroom teacher to consultant for a government agency, Mike has filled a busy retirement with travel, art, music and major positions in the Historical Association. The art that he loves most is the paintings of the Dutch Golden Age.

This role is currently vacant following the retirement of Ann Burgess from the Committee. If any member would be interested in learning more about the role please contact the Chairman, David Keeling.