"When I first exhibited with the Southwold and District Art Group in 1956, exhibitions were held at The Homestead. At that time there was no rule that exhibitors had to be members and, for several years, I exhibited even though I was not a member.

In the early 1960s, Mrs Christina Whitehead*, who was Chairman of the Art Group, persuaded me to join. A few years later she asked me if I would be willing to stand as the first President of the Southwold Art Circle. I suppose that, as I taught art at St Felix School, she decided that I was suitably qualified! I was elected and continued in that role until December 1968 when I was struck down by meningitis.

Joan Gordon was Secretary, later succeeded by Kath Jenkins who held the post for many years. Mrs Scudamore was Treasurer and after her it was Victor Stanyon whose wife, Gwen was a most accomplished artist. Then there were Mr and Mrs Taphouse who lived in Church Street, Miss Peggy Ottley of Hotson Road, daughter of the Headmaster of St. Felix School, Mr Whitney... Nadina Wigram was a later arrival; she lived in Beacon Cottage... and finally Mrs N. Jackson, another Hotson Road resident.

Clifford Russell, an architect who lived at Grove Farm, Frostenden, was exhibiting in those early days. He was still exhibiting until shortly before his death, a short time ago. Jack Denny (brother of Noreen) of Denny the tailor in Southwold Market Place, played an important role in the Art Circle back in the 1950s.

Colonel & Mrs Monier-Williams were instrumental in introducing the rule that only members of the Art Circle should be entitled to exhibit.

Frank Forward and William Benner (whose oils of the Southwold Railway hang in the Southwold Museum) were well-known artists exhibiting in the early days, as was Chris Sinclair.

Simon Loftus, Chairman of Adnams PLC, recalls both Frank Forward and Clifford Russell. "Frank Forward I briefly remember from my childhood, when he was employed to give me a few drawing lessons. Other than that I have a feeling that he may have painted a portrait of my grandfather, PC Loftus. As far as Clifford Russell is concerned, I know that he was a friend of my father and that he was blown up in a tank during the war, I think in North Africa, and thereafter lived and worked in a wheelchair." Russell went on to qualify and practise as an architect and, among his many assignments was the conversion of a number of Adnams pubs, including the Anchor at Walberswick.

*Footnote on Southwold Art Circle Annual Awards

Christina Whitehead Award for an oil painting, Christina Whitehead Award for a work in media other than oils: Christina Whitehead died early in 1970 and Nancie Pelling proposed to the committee that a memorial to her be organised funded by subscriptions. The fund grew to such an extent that, by August that year, it was decided to endow two annual awards in Christina Whitehead's name, one for oils, one for other media. The awards were to be inscribed silver salvers to be held for one year. They are awarded to this day and now also include a cash prize.

Sylvia Frere-Smith Award for a watercolour: A donation of £100 was made to the Art Circle in 1979 by Mr Frere-Smith in memory of his mother Sylvia. He expressed the wish that it be used to endow an award for a Watercolour. The Award, an Armada Plate, continues to be made annually.