March 2025 Chairman's Newsletter
Monday 17th March 2025
Dear Members,
After last week’s beautiful sunshine, I feel Spring is almost here. The flowers certainly think so with hosts of daffodils swaying in the garden.
Our first event this season is on Wednesday 16th April and is A Spring Walk with Toby where you can see the display of Spring flowers in the grounds of Osborne. There are only two places left for this event.
Please click here for details - Friends of Osborne | Spring Colour Walk with Toby
Thursday 24th April. A talk by Mark Earp. The Isle of Wight at War 1939-1945, ‘On the Homefront’.
Mark has given us many interesting talks in the past. He is a very popular speaker and this should be a fascinating talk on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 11. This presentation is a collection of Isle of Wight World War 11 memories and eye witness accounts, from local people that are often forgotten with the passing of time.
For more details and booking forms please click here - Friends of Osborne | Talk on The Isle of Wight at War 1939 - 1945
A member of the committee will meet members at the green gate at 10:30 to take everyone to the Education Rooms.
We are only two weeks away from the school holidays. I went on the very last Guided Tour of the House on Friday. The House returns to free flow and Friends of Osborne members have access to the House on a Friday.
During the School holidays Osborne will be hosting an "Easter Adventure Quest" from April 5th to 27th and "The Big Brick Build" from April 12th to 21st, offering family-friendly activities during the Easter holidays.
Please click here for more details - Easter Adventure Quest at Osborne | English Heritage, and The Big Brick Build at Osborne | English Heritage
A visit to Farringford House and Gardens has been organised for Thursday May 8th.
There are 30 places available for this trip at the cost of £19 and this promises to be a very popular trip.
Farringford was the home of Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Rebecca Fitzgerald has spent many years restoring the house to its original condition as a historic home. In addition to the house, we have arranged an exclusive guided tour of the garden with the Head Gardener. This is something that they have not done before and they have agreed to do for the Friends of Osborne. This should be an extremely interesting visit.
For more details and booking forms please click on the link - Friends of Osborne | Farringford House and Garden Tour
Also, in May we have a talk by Kevin Shaw on Victorian England. Kevin always draws a large audience as his talks are so well researched and delivered.
Thursday 22nd May. ‘The Best of Times; the Worst of Times: The Shocking Poverty and Suffering behind the Immense Wealth of Early Victorian Britain ‘by Kevin Shaw.
Please click here for more details and booking forms - Friends of Osborne | Talk on The Best of Times; the worst of Times: The Shocking Poverty and Suffering behind the Immense Wealth of Early Victorian Britain
In May, there is an exhibition in the Town Hall in East Cowes. It is called ‘Treasures from the Heritage Centre Archives’ and is on May 24th, 25th and 26th. It is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm daily.
Other dates for your diary.
We now have some confirmed dates, but booking forms will not go out until 6-8 weeks before the event.
June: Hidden Osborne, led by Christopher Warleigh-Lack. Date to be confirmed
July 3rd: Walled Garden Drinks Party. Details and booking forms to follow nearer the date.
September 18th: Talk on Osborne Naval College (followed by walk around remaining parts of the college) by Sarah Burdett.
September 21st: Buckingham Palace trip. Fully booked. There is a waiting list.
September: Quiz Night. Date to be confirmed.
October 8th: Autumn Walk with Toby.
October 17th, 24th and 31st: Christmas decoration workshops on Friday mornings.
November: AGM to be held late morning on a Monday or Tuesday.
November 6th, 20th and 27th: Christmas decoration workshops including wreath making sessions. Thursday mornings
December: A Christmas Carol session. Format to be decided
I hope you all manage to get out and enjoy the longer days and beautiful sunshine this month.
Best wishes
Allison Rogers