What’s in a name – and why change it if you don’t need to? When the new one more clearly reflects what you are and what you do.

That was the rationale behind the national committee’s decision to change from the National Association of Decorative and Fine Art Societies, of which Kingsbridge Estuary DFAS was a member, to The Arts Society.

Simple, to the point, easily understood – and so your local branch is now The Arts Society Kingsbridge. New name; same friendly, welcoming society.

As chairman Mark Jennings explained: “Our interests are so far reaching and varied that the old name didn’t really do justice to the breathtaking scope of our lectures; hopefully the new name will encourage anyone who has a love of, and for, ‘the arts’ to join us.”

Varied indeed when past lectures have encompassed spectacular Renaissance firework displays to the engineering marvels of Isambard Kingdom Brunel; the world’s finest examples of Moghul art - part of the Queen’s fantastic collection - to a fascinating tour of clocks and timepieces of the South West.

And the coming season promises to be equally interesting with topics as diverse as Edward Lear, the Aztecs, the history of the Harp and insights into the more unusual elements of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel plus much, much more.

To ensure lectures are as accessible as possible, these are held monthly on Wednesday evenings, 7pm for 7.30pm, repeated the following morning, 10am for 10.30am, at The Methodist Church, Fore Street, Kingsbridge.

The new programme commences on September 27th/28th - look out for the eye catching posters around town or check out The Arts Society website.

Mark continued: “Visitors are always welcome to come along to any of our lectures on an ad hoc basis or try us out to see if they wish to join as members – annual membership subscription is currently £45 - for members joining later in the year the rate is reduced pro rata.

“This entitles members to attend the core lecture programme of nine per season; to receive the glossy quarterly arts journal ‘The Arts Society Review’ and to attend national and area events, which are advertised in the review.

“Members also receive a national Arts Society membership card entitling the holder to discounted entrance to many artistic events and sites.”

In addition to the lectures, delivered by speakers who are specialists in their field and always gloriously presented visually, The Arts Society Kingsbridge also hold an annual Study Day plus a special Christmas Lecture and Lunch, both at Thurlestone Hotel, and organise special interest days out.

Now in their 24th year, The Arts Society remains firm in their aim – to encourage and support a shared curiosity in and better understanding of our artistic history and heritage at a local level.

Mark added: “We are a very welcoming group; many members have formed new, longstanding friendships over the years amongst people with a common love of the arts, and our day trips are always tremendous fun.”

Why not pop along to The Arts Society Kingsbridge stand at the Kingsbridge Show on Saturday, September 2, to find out more?