Chairman's Newsletter - April 2025
Monday 14th April 2025
After the recent sunshine, everything has burst into life. I walked around Osborne last week with my grandchildren to do the Easter Adventure Quest and the trees and bedding plants looked wonderful. Easter Adventure Quest is still on next week and runs from April 5th to 27th. Also ‘The Big Brick Build’, which proved very popular last year, is running from April 12th to 21st.
Please click here for more information on Osborne’s Easter Activities Easter Adventure Quest at Osborne | English Heritage and The Big Brick Build at Osborne | English Heritage
The Spring Walk with Toby on Wednesday 16th April is fully booked and those who successfully managed to get a place on this tour will be in for a treat.
Over 40 people have booked for Mark Earp’s talk on Thursday April 24th. The Isle of Wight at War 1939-1945, ‘On the Homefront’. In the past we would have had to limit the number to thirty but, since the Education Room has been enlarged and offered to us to hold our talks, we can seat about sixty. One of the committee will meet members by the green gate at POQ at 10:30 and direct them to the Education Rooms.
For more details and booking forms please click here. Friends of Osborne | Talk on The Isle of Wight at War 1939 - 1945
Another opportunity for members to enjoy the wonderful Spring flowers is on a tour of Farringford House and Gardens which is on Thursday May 8th. There are still places available for this event. Although Friends have not been given a reduced rate, we are being given an exclusive guided tour of the garden by the Head Gardener. This has never been offered before. The cost is £19. The group will be split into two, with the first tour of the house at 10.15 and the second at 12.30. The tour will take around 1 hour 15 minutes. The garden tour will take approximately the same time.
For more details and booking form please click here. Friends of Osborne | Farringford House and Garden Tour
Later in May we have a talk by Kevin Shaw on Victorian England. Kevin talked to us on two occasions last year and his talks are always very popular, as he is an excellent speaker:
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.
Britain may have been establishing the largest and wealthiest empire in the world during the 19th century, but at home, the huge profits enjoyed by those who ran the wheels of industry were painfully paid for by others. This emotive talk reveals the horrors of the living and working conditions of the ordinary men and women, as well as children, who were appallingly exploited in the mines, mills and factories of 19th Century Britain – until eventually, and slowly, (due to the good work of a few) these unjust evils were acknowledged and changes were gradually made.
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
We now have a date for ‘Hidden Osborne’ led by Christopher Warleigh-Lack. It is Wednesday June 18th. Put it in your diaries.
Details and booking forms for this event and The Walled Garden Drinks Party on Thursday July 3rd will follow nearer the time.
When booking events, it would be really appreciated if members could pay by BACs if at all possible. Cheques incur a charge and cause extra work for the Treasurer. There has been some discussion that we introduce a fee for those paying by cheque or only accept payment by BACs. We appreciate that this would be difficult for some members, but urge those who can pay by BACs to do so.
English Heritage have been through a ‘Reshaping’ process and David Bailey and Amanda Pickard are moving onto ‘pastures new’. Both David and Amanda have given Friends of Osborne incredible support over my time as Chairman. They have helped us to organise and deliver various events and witnessed the increased success and popularity of Friends of Osborne. We are very sad to see them moving on. We wish them all the best in the future with their new ventures.
I hope you all have an enjoyable Easter with friends and family.
Best wishes
Allison Rogers