A SOCIETY which helps to promote arts in the community is looking new members.

The Arts Society York has been around for more than 45 years, although some people may know it better by its old name – NADFAS.

Affiliated to The Arts Society, the national not-for-profit organisation, whose aim is to promote arts in the community, has more than 300 members from a wide area, including Ryedale.

The society meets at York racecourse once a month where have nine or 10 lectures a year. There are also study days, outings and cultural tours each year.

A spokesman said: “However the society is not just about learning and having fun. We aim to give something back and so we work to preserve our heritage. A small number of volunteers work with curators and other professionals to help conserve books, manuscripts, archives, maps etc, current York heritage projects include Castle Howard and York Minster Library.

“We have a group of church recorders who spend time making detailed inventories of places of worship, and finally, we are involved in Young and Community Art as a way of providing children and young people with opportunities to get involved in creative arts activities.

For more information, go to theartssocietyyork.org.uk or phone Helen Byard on 01904 426957.