January 2024 - Chairman's Newsletter
Monday 15th January 2024
Dear Members,
I hope you all had a good Christmas and managed to enjoy yourselves despite the horrid weather and the various ‘bugs’ going around. I wish you all a Happy New Year and hope that it is a peaceful, healthy one for you all.
I’m sure some of you visited Whippingham Church to admire the wonderful trees on display there for the Christmas Tree Festival. Also, I hope some members managed to visit Osborne over Christmas to see the Freedom Tree or enjoy a guided tour of the House.
The committee met on Monday to discuss events from last year and which events to organise for this year. Several committee members were unable to attend as they were still recovering from Covid. We hope that at our next meeting we will be able to finalise a calendar of events for you, which we will send out in February’s newsletter.
The wreath making workshop on the 15th December was a great success and members left delighted with the wreaths they had made.
Click link to see photos. Friends of Osborne | Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
Unfortunately Carols in the Courtyard had some issues for which I must apologise. Members came along expecting to sing carols and were disappointed to find the ukelele band only played Christmas songs. I am very sorry that this event was not as advertised. There was a miscommunication between the event organiser and the leader of the ukelele band. However, it was an enjoyable evening with a good atmosphere and the majority of members went away happily.
Click link to see photos. Friends of Osborne | Carols in the Courtyard - 2023
I am in the process of organising talks for the Spring and Autumn. The first talk will be in March when Sarah Burdett will talk about Norris Castle. Details of talks and dates will follow shortly.
We are also going to launch a photographic competition. Members will be able to submit one photo a month and also to vote for their favourite ‘Photo of the Month’. Photos will be displayed in the Members section of the website. In November all the winning photos will be printed and displayed at our AGM. The overall winner will then be given a prize. The photo can only be taken in or from the Osborne estate.
Please click here for more details. Friends of Osborne | Photography Competition
This time of the year is a very quiet one for Osborne with winter opening times. The beach and path down through the valley are still closed, while damage from the storms and rain is repaired.
However, you can still wander around the walled gardens and terraces and perhaps spot a good photo opportunity!
Best wishes,
Allison Rogers