In the late eighties we could buy designer jewellery, sculpture, prints and paintings as well as a host of craft making items such as beads and silks in the shopping centre.

In the mid eighties the landlords of Phase 1 of the shopping centre converted what had been designed by Eric Lyons as a viewing tower into a new retail space.

A recent photo of Lorna.

A very enterprising New Ash Green resident Lorna Dallas-Conte (formerly Fuller) who had been involved in setting up The Bookshop, thought that the interesting narrow glazed three level space would be an ideal place to display and sell local and national makers and artist’s work. She rented the space and opened The Gallery later renamed Views with the support of family and friends. From 1988 until 1990 Views became a local centre of excellence offering work to commission from Lorna as well as other makers. There were several exhibitions of local artists including a South American artist visiting her sister in the village and the work of sculptor Terry Flower and local potters Penny Casey and Bob Kneller.

Lorna still lives in New Ash Green with her second husband Graeme Campbell where they have brought up their families. Graeme is a Graphic Designer and lecturer. Using this expertise he worked with a small group of local residents to try to re-launch the village broadsheet named ‘The Villager’ and one edition was printed and distributed free to every home.

Lorna has used her experiences from Views and The Bookshop and has combined them with her financial early career and current creative practice to consult in creative business advice. She specialises in areas of regeneration in the South East travelling from the village to Thanet, Portsmouth, Hastings and London. She also has a studio in Meltdowns the fine art facility in Ramsgate.

Lorna maybe contacted on lorna@viewslimited.co.uk.