Chairman's Newsletter - April 2023
Saturday 15th April 2023
Dear Members,
I hope you all had a wonderful Easter and have been able to enjoy the beautiful grounds at Osborne. I had my family staying and was able to take my grandchildren children along to Osborne to take part in the Easter Adventure Quest, which they thoroughly enjoyed.
All members have access to the grounds but we have now been given access to the House every Friday from the start of April until October 31st.
Although the weather is still very chilly, everywhere is showing signs of Spring and the new growth on the trees and blossom is beautiful. The terraces at Osborne are full of colour. There are regular free talks on the terraces where volunteers discuss the building of the Terraces by Albert, his vision and information about the planting then and now. We will put details on our web site as to when these talks are available.
On 31 March we held the first of our fundraising events in the newly revamped Education Suite at Osborne where members enjoyed a demonstration of flower arranging by Sue Swaby. Sue, who is responsible for many of the amazing floral decorations in the House, showed us how to create a simple, yet effective, arrangement using tin cans, hessian and spring flowers. Some very impressive arrangements were subsequently created by members in a relaxed and sociable environment. A special thanks to Gill Jackson for her help in the organisation of the event and for her delicious coffee and walnut cake! Sue has agreed to run a Christmas wreath making workshop for us in December. Which we are sure will proved to be very popular.
Last week Sarah Burdett gave a very interesting talk about the impact that Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had on Cowes. Over twenty of us enjoyed the talk and I think we all learnt something new about East Cowes!
Our next event is a Spring Walk led by Toby Beasley this Wednesday. As with all Toby’s talks it has proved very popular and is sold out. It should be a lovely afternoon – I am just hoping we get some lovely Spring sunshine and not showers!
We have several events lined up for May.
A visit to Brading Roman Villa is planned for Tuesday 16th May at 10.30. This will include a guided tour of the museum and a drink and cake in the café. This is a wonderful museum and well worth a visit. Their website at Brading Roman Villa – Brading Roman Villa gives a fascinating insight as to what’s on offer.
Click for further details and booking forms Visit to Brading Roman Villa – Friends of Osborne
On Thursday 18th May Peter Jackson is giving a talk on the Isle of Wight German Twinning Association and their links with Coburg, the town and its connection with the Isle of Wight. Also, what they have done in the past and how they see the future. Price Albert was born at Schloss Rosenau near Coburg and Queen Victoria visited Coburg on many occasions.
This talk is free but you need to book so we have an idea of numbers.
Click for further details and booking form A talk on the Isle of Wight Twinning Assoc. and their links with Coburg – Friends of Osborne
On Wednesday 31st May one of our members, Janet McNeal, is giving us a guided talk of St. Mildred’s Church at Whippingham. Members will also have the opportunity to look around the graveyard at their leisure afterwards to look at some of the very interesting tombstones.
Click for further details and booking forms Talk at St. Mildred’s Church, Whippingham – Friends of Osborne
Unfortunately, I was too late to get a ticket for the King Charles Coronation Event on May 6th at Osborne. This was booked very quickly and was an event open to all residents on the Island, on a first come first served basis. For those members who did manage to get a ticket I hope you have a wonderful time.
We are in the process of finalising dates for The Beach Party in June, The 360-degree Tour on the Tower in July, Drinks and Canapes on the Terraces at the end of Cowes Week in August and our Quiz Night in September. We are also planning a wine tasting in October and there are also more talks planned for July, August and September.
It is going to be a busy year!
We are finding more and more people applying for membership. For those of you who are already members you will be sent a reminder of when your membership is up for renewal. You do not get a new card but retain the one you already have. Osborne are aware of those members who have not renewed and have had to stop one or two members who have tried to get through admissions at POQ. All members need to renew their membership to make sure that the system at Osborne allows you entry into the grounds and into the House on a Friday. Members must also remember to have some form of photo ID.
I hope to see some of you at events in the near future. If anyone would like to join us on the committee and help us to plan events and suggest ideas, we would love to meet you. We meet on the first Monday of each month.
Kind Regards
Allison Rogers