Chairman’s Report for July 2022
Friday 1st July 2022
including update on access to the House
Dear Members,
I am pleased to inform members that they will now have unlimited access to the house during the six weeks of the summer holidays from Saturday 23rd July to Sunday 4th September. You will need to show your Friends of Osborne membership card on entrance to the house.
It is also hoped that we will offer members the opportunity to book a guided tour of the house in the winter when Osborne hopes to introduce escorted tours of the house by staff dressed in character. More information will follow nearer the time.
Our most recent event, the quiz night on June 24th, proved very successful and was enjoyed by 36 members and their friends. Jacqui and her team supplied an excellent Ploughman’s with Island cheeses. A separate report and photos of this can be seen on our website and Facebook page.
Our next event is the beach party on 15th July. This is always a wonderful chance to pack a picnic and a bottle of wine, enjoy the magnificent view and listen to sea shanties.
We now have dates for other events.
The 360 degree tour has been organised for Wednesday 31st August. This is always extremely popular as members are given a privileged opportunity to see the grounds and a view over the Solent from the tower.
On Thursday 20th October Toby, the head gardener, will lead us on a walk to the beach to celebrate Trafalgar Day where we will raise a tot of rum.
Details of all these events will follow shortly. We also have plans for Remembrance Day at St. Mildred’s, the Christmas Tree Festival at St. Mildred’s and Carols in the Courtyard.
I am in the process of organising Autumn talks which will take place in the new Education Rooms which are almost completed. On Thursday 6th October Stephan Roman is giving a talk: ‘Isle and Empires. Romanov Russia, Britain and the Isle of Wight’. This should be a fascinating talk especially because of current events.
We are also exploring possibilities of a regular lunch for members to get together. If you have any ideas of events which you would like to see please get in touch.
Kind Regards
Allison