Retiring Trustees
This year brings a major change to Conquest Art, as several of the Trustees have reached the limit of their term in post and in accordance with the Constitution must stand down from the Trustee team.
We all owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude and on your behalf, we take this opportunity to send each unbounded thanks for their dedication and sheer hard work managing this splendid charity successfully, through tranquil and challenging times.
Anne Bland Botham
I first met our Founder, Ursula when I joined St Pauls Church in the early 70s. I answered an appeal for people to man an exhibition at Bourne Hall of paintings done by members of the charity she had started called “Art for the Physically Handicapped”. There were two art classes at the time, in Godalming and Fetcham. At that exhibition, a disabled person expressed the wish for a class to be held locally and the Vicar at St Pauls agreed that Ursula could set one up there. He was so impressed with what was achieved that he helped Ursula set up a Committee to enable the charity to become registered with the Charity Commission. The name Conquest was suggested by a disabled member and adopted and Conquest became a registered charity in 1978. Ursula ran the St Pauls class (now called Cheam group) with help from several church members.
I became involved by only bringing members to the group at first as I had to pick up my kids from school. Then Ursula got me to help during the school holidays. I then mentioned I could type and, the next thing I knew, I became her Secretary. I became very involved with the running of Conquest and the Cheam group, which I loved.
Other groups were set up and, in early 2000, a new Secretary Lena, was hired, and the office moved to Cox Lane, West Ewell. We had Trustees, but a Committee became responsible for running Conquest with various Managers.
I only took over the running of the Cheam group after Ursula began to find it too much for her in her 80s, but she would always pop in and out, particularly for birthdays and Christmas which she loved celebrating. So much history, I could go on forever…
Brian Tanner
Twenty years ago, Ursula Hulme asked me to join Conquest Art as a Trustee. After visiting some of the Groups it was clear that there were worthwhile objectives and, most importantly, hard working and welcoming staff.
I have enjoyed being a part of improving the financial position and seeing Conquest expand – this was recognised in 2012 by an Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Volunteer Award.
With my sincere thanks to the many people who have supported Conquest Art over the years.
Charlotte Atkinson
I had been aware before I became a volunteer of all the splendid things Conquest had achieved.
My father, Sir Alec Atkinson, was the first Patron and so I had heard a lot of good things about it and met Ursula Hulme its founder. When in 2016 I had a bit more time I arranged to help at the Cheam Group. Sadly I do not have any artistic skills ( I was a librarian during my working life) but I was able to encourage members in their work, help set up the room for the meetings and assist with making the refreshments. I became a Trustee and, among other things, helped with exhibitions, checked copy for the magazine, visited one or two of the groups and participated at meetings Conquest helps a lot of people and I am so glad I have been able to contribute something to it.
John Gumbel
When in February 1996 I was asked by Ursula as her godson to help out with the running of her small charity as Trustee, I never imagined that my active involvement would continue for a full 30 years! The reasons for my enduring association are simple and two-fold: the worthiness of the cause as evident in the benefits to group members that shines through their remarkable artwork, and the dedication and cheerful commitment of the numerous indispensable volunteers – Trustees as well as Group Leaders and Helpers – that it has been my pleasure and privilege to meet along the way. A humbling experience all round. My huge thanks to all of you and very best wishes to the continuing team for a long and bright future for Conquest Art.
Lesley Lee
I first heard about Conquest Art when Alan Dunkley gave a talk at the Fellowship Group at my church. My good friend Jeananne persuaded me to go along with her and we were so impressed that we decided to see if the church would help us open a group on the premises. Luckily the Minister at the time was as excited as we were, so permission was given and we opened the group in September 2010.
The church has supported us over the years by not charging a rental fee, but allowing us to make a donation. They have also helped by displaying our work and providing us with lots of storage space, something I know many groups struggle with.
I became a Trustee in 2012 and have enjoyed being part of the team helping to promote the charity, and keep it moving forward, especially difficult during the pandemic and after, whilst we all tried to get back to normal.
Now I am pleased to be stepping back knowing that we have some excellent new trustees full of enthusiasm to continue the good work, and I look forward to simply running my group at Stoneleigh.
Robert Jones
My involvement with CA started some fifteen years ago when I was painting and exhibiting my work in galleries, and at the same time helping to run a prestigious local art group.
It was there that I met a guy who asked me to get involved with our Charity connected with what was then a management consultative committee, later to be dissolved. At the same time, I became a Trustee for CA which was one of the best things I have ever done in my life.
In my case, being a wheelchair user and still a painter at both Ewell and Epsom groups, I have been fortunate to help steer Conquest through the years, engaging in the exhibition and publicity functions which have given me enviable experience and huge pleasure.
Still involved now although not as a Trustee, I intend to keep pushing the development of our Charity to ensure we reach all who can benefit from being part of the CA family with whom I have great empathy and admiration.
We wholeheartedly acknowledge the invaluable work which the retiring Trustees have achieved.
We are confident that Conquest Art will continue to flourish and the retiring wisdom will be available when required.