Chairman's Newsletter - January 2023
Sunday 1st January 2023
Dear Members,
I hope everyone had a good Christmas and that some of you managed to visit Osborne between 27th and 31st December when we had free access to the house. Also, that some of you were able to take advantage of the 25% discount in the shop to buy gifts and presents.
Some of you may also have seen that the 250-year-old Lebanese Cedar tree, close to the walled garden, was blown over by high winds early this month. The Lebanese Cedar was planted in the 1770s by Robert Pope Blachford, Osborne’s owner before the Queen and Prince Albert. The tree will be replaced.
Our next event is a visit to Carisbrooke Castle Museum on 8th February at 10.30. The Friends, in conjunction with English Heritage, have organised this visit to the Museum for members and their guests. This exclusive visit, costing £15 per person, will include an opportunity to discover the history of the castle and the stories of some of its fascinating inhabitants with an introductory talk from one of the knowledgeable museum guides. English Heritage staff will then show us highlights of the castle and there will be an opportunity to visit the donkeys and learn about their work at the castle. Tea, coffee and refreshments are included in the price. Proceeds will help fund the museum’s work in preserving and sharing the Island’s history, as well as contributing to the Friends support of Osborne. Members should assemble in the carpark at 10.00 am – those unable to walk from the carpark are allowed to drive in.
Please click here for further details and booking forms Carisbrooke Museum Visit – Friends of Osborne
The costumes for the newly planned guided tours of Osborne have arrived but unfortunately the introduction of the tours have been delayed. However as soon as we have a date, we will inform members as we will be asked to help trial them.
We have our Annual General Meeting on February 23rd at 6:00 pm in The Education Suite. All current members will receive the agenda and all other relevant paperwork in due course. The Trustees have been very busy looking at the Constitution and amending it so it becomes a more relevant document. The present constitution, which can be seen by clicking here CIO Constitution FoO updated (friendsofosborne.org) was drawn up from a template supplied by the Charity Commission and much of it does not apply to a small charity like ours. Members will have the opportunity to read our changes before the AGM on February 23rd and will be given the opportunity to vote on those changes at the meeting.
I hope to see some of you at Carisbrooke Castle on the 8th February and wish you all a peaceful and healthy 2023.
Kind Regards
Allison Rogers