Chairman's Newsletter - December 2022
Thursday 1st December 2022
Dear Members,
Where has the year gone? 2022 has been a very strange year with everyone trying to get back to some normality; while coping with the repercussions of war in Ukraine, the turmoil and change of Prime Ministers in Number 10 and the record-breaking temperatures this summer.
It was lovely to see Friends of Osborne relaunched this year after two years of Covid restrictions. We have managed to host several events and talks that have been well attended and are looking forward to organising a full calendar of events in 2023. It has been good to see the membership increase and know that Friends has such a positive future.
As an Education volunteer at Osborne, I have the opportunity to meet with many of the local schools. It was a real pleasure to help the children of Queen’s Gate plant bulbs near the Ice House in November. Osborne have been doing this for several years and it is a memorable experience for the children. Also, for the first time for three years, several Island schools came and sang in the Durbar Room. I was able to escort them through the house and also help them with craft activities which took place in the new Education Rooms, now with electricity which was partly funded by ‘Friends’
Around thirty members braved the freezing temperatures to sing carols in the courtyard on Wednesday. Everyone enjoyed singing along to the ukulele band, Uke ‘n Sing, as we drank glühwein and ate roasted chestnuts near the flaming brazier. Fortunately, we were then able to warm up in the Education Rooms where we had a Secret Santa raffle and Christmas sweater competition.
The Christmas Tree Festival at St. Mildred’s Church will have a Victorian themed tree on behalf of the Friends which everyone can visit from 20th to 23rd December.
The staff at Osborne have kindly arranged for members of Friends to have access to the House, on presentation of their membership cards, between 27th and 31st December. This gives members an opportunity to see the House decorated with all its Christmas trees. Hopefully we will be offered other occasions when we can visit the house next year, as part of our membership. We will of course have the opportunity to be guided through the House in January when we will help trial the new guided tours.
A visit has been arranged for Carisbrooke Castle Museum on Wednesday 8th February. This museum was founded by Princess Beatrice in 1898 and today the museum is an accredited museum and charity that cares for an extensive collection of artefacts, connected to Island life over the last 1000 years. Please click here for further details and booking forms Carisbrooke Museum Visit – Friends of Osborne.
I look forward to meeting many of you next year and wish you all a very happy Christmas and best wishes for a healthy 2023.
Allison Rogers