Chairman's Newsletter - June and July 2023
Saturday 1st July 2023
Dear Members,
It seems a long time since I wrote my last newsletter in May. Since then, we have had several weeks of incredibly sunny weather, albeit sometimes too hot.
Our talk at St. Mildred’s Church in Whippingham at the end of May was excellent. Janet told us so many fascinating facts and stories about the church. We really enjoyed our afternoon there and chatting afterwards in the tearooms. For anyone who has never visited the church it is well worth a visit. Inside the church are several information boards and booklets for sale, telling the history of St. Mildred’s. One of our members on the tour remembered his time as a choir boy there and explained where the choir used to sing.
Our latest event was the Beach Party which was a great success and everyone had a wonderful time. The weather was glorious, the musicians helped create a great atmosphere and the electric buses ferried everyone back and forth very efficiently.
If you would like to see photos of the beach party please click here.
https://foo.iws9.co.uk//content/117/2023_Beach_Party/
We have two events organised for July.
On July 11th Mark Earp is giving a talk entitled: ‘The Royal Children on the Isle of Wight. Family Dynamics, Trauma and Temptation’. Over twenty people have booked for the talk, which in the past would have been the limit. Fortunately now we have the Education Suite; we can accommodate a lot more people if members would still like to book.
For more details, please click here.
https://foo.iws9.co.uk//content/7/The_Royal_Children_at_Osborne__talk_by_Mark_Earp/
However, the 360 Degree tour on July 21st is now full and the booking form has been removed from the web site. Numbers have to be restricted due to the size of the roof and negotiating your way up there. However, you may put your name on a waiting list. Also last year, members who were unable to book a place on this tour were given priority this year.
We are in the process of finalising details for Drinks on the Terrace on August 5th. As soon as we have agreed the final arrangements with English Heritage, we will put the details and booking form on the web site. This event will take place on the Terrace and will mark the end of Cowes Week.
Also in August, Emma Hallums and Kirsty Huggett, who are the Collections Care Assistants for Osborne and the South East, will talk about how they care for the Royal Collection at Osborne.
This talk is on Tuesday 15th August and will begin at 10:00. We ask members if they could be at the green gate by POQ (Petty Officers Quarters) at 9:40 where they will be met and taken to the Education Suite. This is so we can avoid the general public coming through the gates when they open at 10:00.
For more details, please click here:
https://foo.iws9.co.uk//content/66/Talk_on_Conservation_of_the_Royal_Collection_at_Osborne/
Please be aware that members are not allowed to drive and park in the courtyard area by the Education Suite.
In September Toby, the Head Gardener at Osborne, is giving a talk entitled: ‘Osborne ‘s Garden – Prince Albert’s Pastime’.
Please click here for details:
https://foo.iws9.co.uk//content/70/Talk_on_Osborne_Gardens_-_Prince_Alberts_Pastime/
A Quiz is planned for September 29th but details have not yet been finalised.
Our membership is growing every month and we now have almost 900 members. Whilst most members whose membership runs out on 30th June have now renewed there are a few who still need to do so if they wish their cards to be accepted by Osborne after that date. Memberships can be renewed online or by post. Please click here for details:
https://www.friendsofosborne.org/membership_renewals/
More and more members are booking for events online and paying by BACs. We prefer this method of payment as we are charged a fee by the bank for every cheque processed. Technology has crept up on many of us and it is daunting when post offices close and cheques are used less and less. However, on request Age UK have specialists that will help with any digital problems. They have a Digital Project Officer based in Newport. Age UK also run workshops. East Cowes run them at the library on Monday mornings. During June they ran workshops on emails, socialising online, Apps and online safety. On July 3rd the library is covering ‘online shopping’ and on July 10th ‘open digital forum’.
I hope you all like the new website and agree that information is clear and easier to access.
Let’s hope the summer, which was very late in coming, stays with us through July and August. I hope you enjoy the fine weather, visiting the grounds at Osborne and also the House, which is now open for members to visit every Friday.
Kind Regards
Allison Rogers