Newsletter 21st January 2021
Thursday 21st January 2021
Friends Booking System
A reminder to members to use the telephone booking system and not the online booking system please. The site is currently only open and manned on Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 until 16.00 so calls outside of these times will not be answered. If possible, try and book a week ahead (weather forecast permitting!)
From half-term, ordinarily February 15th, it is expected that Osborne will revert to opening Wednesday to Sunday 10.00 – 16.00 until the end of March. Changes to or lifting of current Covid restrictions may impact upon these dates and upon the operations at Osborne so do regularly check their website for any updates.
If I can remind members to be considerate and not over-book so that all members have a reasonable chance of making a visit. Osborne management have alerted us that there are a handful of names that book four places each and every week – consequently we are using up our allocation by week three each month. While the support and enthusiasm to enjoy Osborne is welcomed, it is hoped that more of our members will have the chance to visit if those very frequent visitors tempered their enthusiasm a little more please and reduce the number of their bookings.
Weather Vane
As expected, the plan to install the weather vane in February has been delayed and we are now informed that this may now take place in March but with fewer spectators able to attend. We will have to wait and see how Covid impacts upon this and the many other projects that we hope to support at Osborne this coming year.
Christmas Tree
I hope you were able to enjoy the Christmas trees at St Mildred’s last month. The Friends of Osborne displayed a delightful tree in the church which displayed the names of Victoria and Albert’s nine children – many thanks to the very creative members responsible this year.
Please contact our Secretary, via this email address only, mtee45@hotmail.co.uk should you have any concerns or queries about any of the issues above.
Best wishes
Rob Flower
Chair of Friends of Osborne Trustees.
18 January 2021
This note has been received from Dame Judi Dench.
“I was very sad indeed to hear about Tim. Since being associated with the Friends of Osborne, he was always so welcoming and we enjoyed our time spent with him.”
David Mills & Judi Dench
14 January 2021
TIM KING
I am sad to announce the death of Tim King who was the first Chair of the Friends of Osborne when we became a charity in 2015.
After a long and distinguished career in the judiciary, Tim took on the role of shaping and guiding the ‘new’ Friends, and together with trustees past and present, created our Governance document and ensured our compliance with the statutory conditions and enrolment with the Charity Commission.
Tim’s memorable achievement in his role as Chair, was his successful and personal approach to Dame Judi Dench, who was of course, delighted to become our patron and enjoyed Tim’s warmth, humour and hospitality during her subsequent visits to Osborne.
Suffering from ill-health for a number of years, Tim stood down in 2019 and handed the reigns over to me – giving sound advice, support and friendship along the way. I shall personally miss his twinkling humour, court room anecdotes and after-dinner story telling.
Tim died on Tuesday this week and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Jane, and all his family and friends.
Rob Flower
Chair of Friends of Osborne Trustees.
6 January 2021
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 4 January, English Heritage have taken the decision to keep a small selection of their sites open for local people to use for exercise during the lockdown. The grounds of Osborne will be open during the lockdown period at weekends until the February half-term. As before, all visits must be booked in advance, with Friends of Osborne members using the telephone booking system set up for this purpose. Please stay local and bear in mind the government’s latest advice.
