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Chairman's Newsletter - December 2023

Monday 11th December 2023

Chairman’s December Newsletter

Dear Members,

The year has flown by and December is here! There seems to be no let up with the rain. Let’s just hope that Christmas brings some drier weather, ideally with sun!

Thank you to the hardy souls who came to the AGM last month. It was not that well attended and we have decided that our AGM next year will be during the day, around lunchtime, giving members a chance to chat afterwards and make it more of a social event.

Although we had a quorum, we decided to leave the vote over changes to the constitution until the next AGM. Ade Johnson, who was going to explain the changes and answer any questions about the amendments, had Covid and was unable to be at the meeting.

I was lucky enough to be invited to the reception for the presentation of the Freedom Tree to Osborne. This tree was designed by Anna Hunnerkopf in 2019 as part of a competition at the University of Applied Science in Coburg, to reimagine the Christmas tree for modern times. It was originally made to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s birth in 1819 and has 200 origami birds suspended on metal poles. Coburg, the birthplace of Prince Albert and the Isle of Wight Twinning Association, celebrated their 40th Anniversary this year and so it was fitting that the Freedom Tree was unveiled in the Durbar Room at Osborne. The Freedom Tree has not been displayed in the UK since 2019, when it was installed in the V&A Museum. Members have the opportunity to see the tree until January 7th.

Some of our members visited Coburg in October with the Isle of Wight Twinning Society. They visited various historic places including Rosenau, a place loved by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria. Next year we may try to hold some events and activities that involve both Friends of Osborne and the Isle of Wight Twinning Society.

Next week sees the opportunity for members to get into the Christmas spirit:

There are still places if you would like to make a Christmas Wreath from 10:00 to 12:30. Not only will you come away with a beautiful wreath, but you will have the chance to chat and enjoy mince pies with other green fingered members. Full details are on our website or click Friends of Osborne | Christmas Wreath Making Workshop.

 We have over 50 people booked but there are still a few tickets available. It should be a really enjoyable evening with a 12-piece ukulele band playing. Full details on our website or click Friends of Osborne | Carols in the Courtyard.

I hope to see some of you at the Carols in the Courtyard on Friday and I wish all our members and their families a peaceful Christmas and a healthy New Year.

Best wishes

Allison Rogers

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