THE FOUNDER of a contemporary place for art in Winterslow is to receive an award in the New Year’s Honours List.
Recipients in the list have been awarded for their outstanding contributions across all parts of the UK for their work in areas including sustained public service, youth engagement and community work.
In 1958, Lady Madeleine Bessborough opened The New Art Centre in London.
She said: “At that time, there was little opportunity for people after their degrees. They would exhibit but then had nowhere to go. So, the gallery was set up for young people and to help them get started.”
Madeleine Bessborough, 87, was previously awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This award is given to those who have a major role in any activity including in work that has made them known nationally.
In the latest honours list, Lady Bessborough is to receive a Commander of the Order of the British Empire award (CBE) for her dedicated service to art.
CBEs are honours for those with a prominent but lesser role at national level or a leading role at a regional level. It is also for those who make an innovative and distinguished contribution to any area.
Lady Bessborough's OBE was received for her commitment to art in London but said “it was such a long time ago.”
She was genuinely surprised by the latest award and admitted: “It is wonderful, but it is not just for me. It is for all of us who work here.”
In 1994, the centre moved to Roche Court in Winterslow, 1994 where it has been ever since.
She said: "It is a beautiful place. We have coaches of schoolchildren coming to visit. We have cattle here and it is a good way for children to learn about farming too. The centre is open to the public and we have visitors from museums.
"We encourage people to be open. We have a mantra here…' look, listen, and speak'. We encourage young people to look fully and then, talk about what they have seen."
Lady Bessborough's enthusiasm for art and education is clear. She said: “This is my life. and I have been lucky to do something I love. I am proud that we are a source to help people get the jobs they need.”
Other people honoured in the New Year's List are MP Helen Grant, Lionesses captain Leah Williamson, and actors David Harewood and Stephen Graham.
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