The Limpsfield Decorative & Fine Arts Society (Limpsfield Arts Society) and Oxted & District History Society have jointly organised an exhibition of 60 of the best prints from renowned local architect and artist, Arthur Keen who recorded and sketched all around the area in the 1930s. The exhibition includes many familiar buildings, but also a number that sadly no longer exist.
The exhibition is held at the Millennium Room next to St Peter’s Church, Limpsfield on Wednesday to Friday this week – April 5-7, between 10am and 5pm.
Arthur Keen (1861-1938) FRIB, was a renowned architect and accomplished draughtsman who lived in Station Road East and subsequently at Snatts in Uvedale Road (Limpsfield parish).
He was elected a Fellow of the RIBA in 1904 and was on their council for 21 years, serving as honorary secretary from 1917 to 1919 and vice-president from 1927-1925. He was also an active member of the Architectural Association, serving as president from 1910 to 1911.
His commissions included the Limpsfield War Memorial Hospital and Limpsfield Village Hall. An amateur archaeologist and historian, after his retirement in the 1930s Keen spent the last seven years of his life drawing and recording the beautiful old buildings in and around Oxted and Limpsfield.
The exhibition includes 60 of his best works. The prints have been loaned by Stephen Jones and prepared for the exhibition by Mrs Hank Arnold and Chris Pendred.
Click on the images to see larger versions but go see the prints and 54 more in all their glory at the Millennium Room!
About Limpsfield Arts Society: The Limpsfield Decorative and Fine Arts Society was founded in 1975 and meets monthly in St Peter’s Hall for an illustrated talk on an arts subject. They also visit historic houses, gardens, art galleries and museums, and support young arts, locally. Their annual programme typically includes 10 lectures, 10 visits, a Study Day, a four to six day tour and the opportunity to volunteer to support art, education and cultural activities locally. Contact: chairman@LimpsfieldArts.org
About The Oxted and District History Society. Founded in Oxted in 1960, it meets every fortnight at the United Reformed Church, Bluehouse Lane for a history lecture. The programme is an eclectic mix of local, national and international subjects and covers social, economic, political and military history. It also runs a number of coach outings to places of historical significance. Contact: odhs.petersh@outlook.com. www.oxtedanddistricthistorysociety.org.uk
Limpsfield, Surrey 
I was lucky enough to find Arthur Keen’s sketches of Oxted and Limpsfield parts I and 2 at a Jumble sale – the two sets of many lovely sketches. Not quite sure what to do with them as I am a Leatherhead lass. They are so well sketched, such talent. One day I shall take a trip over and see if I can match up some of the buildings.
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