Past Library Events
The Friends of Osborne Library is available for all members and a series of informative talks are held during the course of the year. See the ‘Events Diary’ for full details and how to book.
2018
‘Life and secrets in Athens in the 1970s’ by Jane Pearson – Thursday April 19th 2018
Jane, a member of Friends, gave a very interesting talk on her fascinating life in the 1970s. She and her husband Tony, who was a naval and air attaché to the British Embassy, lived in Athens in the 70s when Greece was under the rule of the military Junta dictatorship.
Tony would gather information and Jane was his ‘sidekick’, keeping her ear to the ground and collecting interesting snippets as and where she could.
East Cowes during the Blitz by June Weeks – Thursday May 10th 2018
Very few people are alive today who can give a personal account of events in East Cowes during the Blitz. June, one of the original members of Friends, is one of those who as a child of twelve experienced it first hand.
To mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Blitz, June was interviewed by local and national TV. This interview is on DVD and was shown in the library.
June had many stories to tell and was there to answer questions. Sarah Burdett of the East Cowes Heritage Centre was also at the talk with photos of the time.
‘Movements in Isle of Wight Architecture from 1840 to 1937’ by Mark Luis Earp – Thursday 14th June 2018
Last year Mark gave a very interesting and entertaining talk about Island curiosities. This talk was equally fascinating. Mark talked about three particular styles – the Arts and Craft Movement, Art Nouveau and Art Deco. He also brought a few furniture items along and held a short quiz at the end of the talk!
2017
History of Lacemaking – Thursday 9th March 2017
Members of the Friends of Osborne were given a superb presentation by fellow member Sarah Kurtul. The subject was the ‘History of Lacemaking’ with a special section on Island lacemaking which included information about Queen Victoria’s support of British lacemaking. Sarah paints lace making bobbins and has been doing so for nearly thirty five years with customers all over the World.
Sarah brought with her examples of different types of lace, different types of bobbins and examples of her own work (which were beautiful and so finely decorated). The talk was so well attended it may be repeated later in the year.
The monies collected from attendance at this event were added towards the Friends project in restoring the Andromeda Fountain to working order.
If you would like to see examples of Sarah’s work she has a web page which you can visit and browse her gallery at www.paintedlacebobbins.co.uk
Isle of Wight Curiosities – Thursday 11th May 2017
Members of the Friends of Osborne were given a highly interesting and entertaining talk by Mark Luis Earp. Mark provided a fascinating insight into many of the Islands weird and wonderful curiosities, many of which date from the Victorian era.
An Island Legacy – Thursday 15th June 2017
In this superb presentation Ken Hicks compared the 19th Century Brannon engravings of Island scenes with modern day photographs. This provided members with a fascinating insight into the Island 200 years ago and, in many instances, very little has changed!
The Romanovs – Thursday 21st September 2017
Members received an extremely informative talk on The Romanovs at Osborne, their visits and objects by Curator Michael Hunter. Such was the demand for this library event, Michael agreed to deliver an afternoon and evening talk. A total of 37 people attended and £185 was raised.