Ely Decorative and Fine Arts Society welcomed guests and visitors to a celebration marking its 30th anniversary.

Members gathered at the Old Palace, in Ely, to mark the occasion and were joined by

vice president Sue Freestone, principal of King’s Ely, Mark Bonney, the Dean of Ely and Angela Payne, area chairman of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Society.

The evening started with a lecture given by Christopher de Hamel, fellow librarian of the Parker Library, in Cambridge, about Mathew Parker, who was appointed to Ely Cathedral in 1541 and built up a wonderful collection of early English manuscripts. Following the talk there was a chance for members and guests to chat and reminisce over a glass of wine and cake, with 279 lectures over 30 years together with study days and outings, there was much to talk about.