Please note the changes of time for our Open Meetings.
During the dark Winter months we have arranged for the meetings to be held in the AFTERNOON in Westerham Hall as usual, 1.45 for 2.30 with a Wine and Tea Bar
Membership remains at £40 per person
During the dark Winter months we have arranged for the meetings to be held in the AFTERNOON in Westerham Hall as usual, 1.45 for 2.30 with a Wine and Tea Bar
Membership remains at £40 per person
NINETEENTH SEASON - 2024
"The Five Coronations of the Royal School of Needlework"
Wednesday 8th May in the Evening - 7.15 for 8pm
Susan Kay-Williams C.E.O of the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace, will regale us with their preparations for the Coronation of King Charles 3rd and the earlier garments and robes created for his Forebears. This will feature work made for each Coronation since 1902 and how pieces made have been reused and replaced for the King's Coronation this year. It will also look at the new pieces for each Coronation, culminating in the Robe of Estate of Queen Camilla.
Susan Kay-Williams C.E.O of the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace, will regale us with their preparations for the Coronation of King Charles 3rd and the earlier garments and robes created for his Forebears. This will feature work made for each Coronation since 1902 and how pieces made have been reused and replaced for the King's Coronation this year. It will also look at the new pieces for each Coronation, culminating in the Robe of Estate of Queen Camilla.
"The Magic of Bronze"
Wednesday 5th June 7.15 for 8pm Peta Motture - Formerly Senior Curator of Sculpture at the V & A. More highly prized than silver or gold, Bronze was equally valued in the Renaissance; used to make Bells it had a voice that regulated spirituality, cast to make Cannons it played a role in conquest and defence. However it was the most luxurious medium used for the creation of Sculpture; Peta's talk will reveal hidden meanings through works created by Benvenuto Cellini and surprisingly, even Michelangelo.
NO MEETINGS IN JULY or AUGUST
"Painted People - Humanity in 21 Tattoos"
Wednesday 4th September 7.15 for 8pm Dr Matt Lodder is a Senior Lecturer in Art History and Theory, at the University of Essex. What do tattoos tell us about humanity?
Matt has a passion for inking, and his research primarily concerns the application of art-historical methods to the history of Western tattooing from the 17th century to the present day, with a principal focus on the professional era from the 1880s onwards.
Matt has a passion for inking, and his research primarily concerns the application of art-historical methods to the history of Western tattooing from the 17th century to the present day, with a principal focus on the professional era from the 1880s onwards.
"Working with the Ghosts of Hampton Court Palace"
Wednesday 2nd October in the Afternoon 1.45 for 2.30
Sarah Slater is an Official Guide at Hampton Court Palace, and she will tell us about wandering the galleries on her own, late at night! An exploration of the history, stories and sightings of the ghosts.
Sarah Slater is an Official Guide at Hampton Court Palace, and she will tell us about wandering the galleries on her own, late at night! An exploration of the history, stories and sightings of the ghosts.
"GEISHA"
Wednesday 6th November - 1.45 for 2.30pm Ever since Westerners first visited they have been fascinated by geisha. Lesley Downer lived among the geisha for six months - persuading them to talk frankly about their hidden world. She will tell about their history, their lives and even how a western woman might discover her "hidden geisha"!!
"From the Battlefield to the Big Screen"
Wednesday 11th December -1.45 for 2.30pm Audie Murphy was an American soldier, actor, and songwriter. He was one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II. He received every military combat award for valor available from the United States Army, as well as French and Belgian awards for heroism. Melody Foreman has discovered the true grit behind the glamour of British and Hollywood stars who served in the 1939 - 1945 conflict - including Laurence Olivier, Dirk Bogarde and Vivienne Leigh. Who knew that these huge Stars had such a colourful War Service?