ACT Friends Autumn Gathering at Beeston, Nottingham
- Art - Culture - Tourism
- Oct 9
- 3 min read
By Marysia Zipser
9th October 2025
Photography and videos by Tony Fisher RPS, Teresa Cullen, Jeanie Barton and Marysia Zipser
On Sunday afternoon, 5th October, Marysia Zipser, Founder of Art Culture Tourism - International & ACT Ambassador, hosted an Open House Autumn Gathering at her Beeston home, gallery and garden for artists, writers, photographers, film makers, performers, local councillors, ACT Advisors, university academics & mature students, Notts wildlife enthusiasts, heritage/history/design and museum experts. All valued friends from our Beeston & Nottingham/shire communities…plus cat!
Marysia was honoured with the presence of Broxtowe Mayor Councillor Bob Bullock who came with Broxtowe Alliance councillors Milan Radulovic and Teresa Cullen, joined by Nottingham City councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, and Broxtowe’s Polish C-City delegation visitors from Grudziądz, Ewelina Dąbrowska, with singer Marysia Trętkiewicz and Tomasz Gust playing some Polish songs. More music was performed by Beeston singer Jeanie Barton, all adding a magical accompaniment to the occasion. See header photo by Teresa Cullen.
Cllr Teresa Cullen said, “A big thank you to local community champion Marysia Zipser who invited our Councillors and members of Broxtowe Borough Council C-City delegation including our Polish colleagues to her open house. Tomaz and Marysia played some Polish songs which were a lovely touch. We were glad to be part of this Autumn gathering. Our Polish guests really appreciated it all, it was a lovely afternoon.”
Delicious Italian appetisers were provided by Marco di Blasi, owner and manager of Beeston’s authentic Italian L’Oliva Trattoria. So many compliments were received on the catering side!
Jeanie Barton, ACT Advisor, added, “It was great to perform at Marysia’s for her autumn gathering, a lovely, familial atmosphere. In all a busy weekend, having played the day before 3 times at the 15th annual Beeston Oxjam music festival, which featured 12 hours of live music, 20 venues and over 150 different bands and artists! It was also wonderful for our C-City Polish delegation members to perform there at the Beeston Social - it was marvellous that they came the next day to Marysia’s to complete their spirited Polish journey.”
Jeanie singing...
Marysia read out personal messages from visual artist, journalist, author, Roberto Alborghetti (of Ghost Bus project fame) in Bergamo and ACT Advisor in Ravenna, Patrizia Poggi, who both couldn't be with us on this occasion.
Pam Miller, Fine Artist, said, “Thank you for the invite to such a lovely autumn gathering, Marysia. Great to make new friends and reconnect with old ones. Lovely that ‘The sun had its hat on’ for part of the time. I really enjoyed the singing, courtesy of Jeanie Barton Music and other musicians and the food was gorgeous - Please thank Marco Di Blasi for me, also, catering for the vegan guests (including myself).”
Sasha Prince, Cafe Culture correspondent, The Beestonian magazine, added, “Thank you for the invite, Marysia. It was great meeting such lovely people and having wonderful conversations.”
This song was the icing on the cake for Marysia Zipser sung by Marysia T accompanied by Tomaz Thanks so much!! The song was always sung by her father Mietek Zipser (from Lwow now Lviv) with family & friends whenever there was a celebration in Nottingham. The song is called Tango łyczakowskie.
Dawn Lindson, Nottingham Trent Univ mature student & past ACT volunteer, said, “Lovely to catch up again with you, friends and with ACT developments.”
Pavlos Kotsonis, Nottingham City Councillor for Lenton & Wollaton East, stated, “It was a lovely day and occasion, thank you Marysia! Please keep organising gatherings like this and building international collaborations. Everyone benefits from your efforts.”
John Currie, director of Beeston Film Festival, said, “Many thanks for inviting us, Marysia! We had a fab time! You are an incredible host!”
Marysia concluded, “It was a truly beautiful day and everyone really enjoyed themselves. It’s lovely to appreciate our local community friends in this way by personally hosting once in a while and giving back for all their support. Our ACT Blog is now a popular media platform as we publish regular articles by local, national and international writers who are keen to contribute. I’m also available to give, on request, introductions and ACT talks at Beeston and Nottingham/shire events.”
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Marysia Zipser
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
This was clearly a very successful and rewarding experience for all who attended. There's so many happy faces, and no wonder with a lovely collaboration of talented people. Great food, lovely songs and wonderful friends.
Thank you very much for inviting me to your event Marysia, I feel it's such a shame I was unavailable.