Chairman's Newsletter - June 2024
Thursday 20th June 2024
Dear Members,
We are all still waiting for summer to arrive but the lack of sun did not prevent the last two events from being a success.
Near the end of May our visit to Quarr Abbey was thoroughly enjoyed by all. We had a very informative talk by Dr. Dominic Fontana and we were able to go right to the far end of the Abbey to appreciate the architecture. This was followed by delicious cakes, tea and coffee.
Click here for a brief report and photos of the event - Friends of Osborne | Visit to Quarr Abbey
Last week Christopher gave his tour of Hidden Osborne. Several members have been in touch to tell me how excellent this was and how much they enjoyed it. This event proved very popular and we had a waiting list. I have asked Christopher if he would consider repeating this event in the Autumn.
If this is not possible, we will definitely be repeating it next year and those disappointed members on the waiting list will have priority.
Click here for a report, member feedback and photos - Friends of Osborne | 'Hidden Osborne' Tour
Christopher Warleigh- Lack, the curator hopes to open up a suite of rooms that formed the convalescent home spaces. Initially this will be through a guided tour during the Heritage Open week on 14th and 15th September. Depending on how this is received, the ambition is to include it in the normal tour of the house. If any members have knowledge of the convalescent home when it was operating, please get in touch with Christopher, as he is working on a tour script.
Contact Christopher at: Christopher.Warleigh-Lack@english-heritage.org.uk
We unfortunately had to cancel the Ladies Lunch in the Terrace Restaurant planned for June 21st as there was not enough interest shown. We may try a similar event again but as a cream tea or coffee morning instead of a lunch.
Our upcoming events are:
The Walled Garden Drinks Party on Wednesday 3rd July.
This promises to be a lovely event especially if the sun shines. The walled garden is a beautiful tranquil place and often overlooked when visitors come to Osborne. We will have the garden to ourselves and be able to enjoy listening to a harpist while enjoying drinks and tasty nibbles.
Click here for more information and booking form - Friends of Osborne | The Walled Garden Drinks Party
When booking any of our events you will receive an auto generated onscreen message to acknowledge your booking. Some members have sometimes been concerned that their booking may not have been received. We do not send out a separate confirmation. We have your names on a list and will meet you at a set place and time. If this information has not gone out in the newsletter or with the booking information, we will send out a mailshot to those members or send them an email.
Visit to East Cowes Boat Museum on Wednesday 10th July
This will be a private tour and the gallery will be closed to the public while we visit. There is an extensive collection of maritime artifacts, boat models and photographs. After the guided tour there will be refreshments. You are invited to bring along friends who also may also wish to visit this fascinating museum.
Please click here for more details and booking form - Friends of Osborne | Visit to East Cowes Classic Boat Museum
The gardens at Osborne are always a pleasure to walk through. Volunteer led tours of the walled gardens and terraces happen throughout the year, but EH is struggling to find garden tour volunteers. Some of our committee members are volunteers and if any member is interested in joining the garden team, please get in touch with Toby Beasley to find out more.
Contact Toby Beasley at: Toby.BEASLEY@english-heritage.org.uk
Photographic Competition
May’s winner was ‘View of the Solent through the Pergola’. Click here to see this and the other entries for May - Friends of Osborne | May 2024 - Photo Competition Entries | Friends of Osborne. Please send in your photos of Osborne, Swiss Cottage, the Beach and grounds. If you don’t want to send in a photo, please get involved by voting for the month’s best photo. All the winning photos will be displayed at the AGM in November and the winning entry will receive a bottle of Champagne. Monthly winners also receive an extension to their membership.
We are looking at other events for the future. Perhaps a gin or rum tasting.
Steve Love, one of our members has kindly offered to host an evening where he will sing songs about the ups and downs and quirks of the IOW, including buses, ferries, trains, donkeys, scooters and more!! This is planned for September or October; when we have a confirmed date, we will send out details.
One of our members, Luci Para, is an artist and often goes to draw at Osborne. This summer on Friday 30th August (2.30 to 6.00) she will be leading a free walk at Osborne grounds for AONB summer walks programme. Spaces are limited and need to be booked but Luci thought our members may be interested.
Contact Lucia Para at luciapara.com or book Osborne Art in Nature Tickets, Fri, Aug 30, 2024 at 2:30 PM | Eventbrite.
We will have our popular quiz in September and again details will go out as soon as we have a confirmed date.
Two talks for the Autumn have already been organised.
Thursday 5th September. ‘The Making of a Queen’ by Kevin Shaw.
Thursday 17th October. ‘Princess Beatrice – Island Governor’ by Sarah Lang.
Details of these talks will follow nearer the time.
I hope you all enjoy your visits to Osborne and that I will see some of you at the upcoming events.
Best wishes
Allison Rogers