An arts society celebrated their 40 birthday at a special ceremony at Chenies Manor.

Rickmansworth Decorative and Fine Arts Society celebrated the society’s 40 birthday at a ceremony on Wednesday, September 16 at Chenies Manor.

Members of the society were given a tour of the gardens at the manor before a lunch there.

Special guests were, June Robinson, National Society of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies chairman, area chairman Pat Styles, Three Rivers District Council chairman Cllr Eric Bishop. The event was hosted by Rickmansworth Decorative and Fine Arts Society chairman John Jefkins and president Jean Butler.

Ms Butler said: “It was a very successful day.

“The atmosphere was very joyful. We were lucky to have such a nice day for the tour of the gardens.

“Everyone really enjoyed it.

“Chenies Manor was an entirely apt venue as that is where the first meeting took place in 1965 of the Chiltern Society, which eventually grew into the National Society of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies, now boasting 350 societies nationwide.”

The society holds monthly talks on the second Tuesday of the month at Sarratt Village Hall. Talks start at 11am and finish at 12pm and visitors are welcome.