THE THORNEY ISLAND SOCIETY VISITS 2010 Registered Charity No 1000751 www.thethorneyislandsociety.co.uk
The Thorney Island Visits sub-committee are planning some fascinating visits for members over the next six months and hope you will be able to join us. PLEASE SEND SEPARATE CHEQUES POSTDATED FOR EACH EVENT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE REFUNDS.Members are welcome to invite guests but please include names on all application forms. Please send your cheques made payable to The Thorney Island Society, to:
Bruce Church 115 Barons Keep Gliddon Road London W14 9AX Tel 020 7602 7094
February LUNCH AT RULES AND TALK ON THE HISTORY OF THE RESTAURANT
THIS VISIT HAS BEEN POSTPONED BECAUSE WE NEED A GROUP OF 18 PEOPLE TO FILL A PRIVATE ROOM BUT WE HOPE TO RE-ARRANGE LATER IN THE YEAR. Any members who are interested contact Lucy 07968097494 lucydeville99@googlemail.com
Rules is the oldest restaurant in London and one of the most celebrated in the world.In over 200 years, spanning the reigns of nine monarchs, it has been owned by only three families.We will dine in one of its recently refurbished private dining rooms.We will enjoy superb lunch including mature grass fed roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.The lunch will be followed by a talk by a Rules Manager about its history and the personalities who have dined there.
Wednesday 24th February @ 2.00pm CURIOSITIES OF COVENT GARDEN
Covent Garden was originally developed for “persons of the greatest distinction” but over the years has it been home to pious nuns and singing flower sellers, bawdry brothels and Punch & Judy as well as flamboyant thespians and traitorous noblemen. Discover rookeries, slums, harlots and gin and the satirical paintings of William Hogarth's 18th century coming to life. We will be led by a newly qualified Westminster guide.
COST: £7.00
MEET: Villiers Street, top end by the Strand (corner of Charing X Station). Walk will last approx 2 hours and end near Leicester Square.
Tues 9 March @ 2.30pm WALLACE COLLECTION A Private Guided Tour of the Sevres Collection
The Wallace Collection is a national museum which displays the wonderful works of art collected in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the first four Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, the son of the 4th Marquess. It was bequeathed to the British nation by Sir Richard's widow, Lady Wallace, in 1897. The collection includes the ‘finest museum collection of Sevres porcelain in the world’.
Ann and John Rodewig invite Thorney Island Society Members to
A CONCERT CONCERT AT S JOHN’S, SMITH SQUARE
& AFTERNOON TEA
on Thursday 11 March 2010 @ 12.30 pm £10 (incl. concert & tea)
Start the afternoon with a concert at St. John’s Smith Square by the DOMINANT QUARTET playing Schubert Quartettsatz and Brahms Piano Quintet op.34 . After the concert members should gather at the Dean Bradley Street entrance and TIS member Pippa Parsons will give a short talk on the history of the building. This will be followed by Afternoon Tea (“beats the Ritz” was a quote from one of our members) by kind invitation of Ann and John Rodewig at St. John’s House, overlooking Smith Square.
MEET: Steps of St. John’s, Smith Square, SW1P 3HA NEAREST TUBE: Westminster
TO RECEIVE YOUR TICKETS PLEASE SEND THE BOOKING FORM, CHEQUE AND A STAMPEDADDRESSED ENVELOPE TO Mrs Pippa Parsons, 5 Romney Street, SW1P 3RF
Monday 12th April @ 2.00pm BRIDGEWATER HOUSE, 9 Little St James Street, SW1A 1DP
Following our visit in 2009, which was oversubscribed we are giving those who were unable to go another opportunity to visit Bridgewater House, which fronts onto The Green Park and was built in 1849 for Earl Ellesmere by architect Sir Charles Barry. The style is Palazzo on the outside and a mixture of influences on the interior. Sir Charles Barry used the same style that he had used at The Reform Club and The Travellers Club in Pall Mall, but this being the largest that he completed. This was the home of The Bridgewater art collection until 1939 (of which two of the Titian's are now in the National Gallery). The Gallery was bombed in 1941 and was redeveloped as modern office accommodation in 1947. The House has been extensively restored back to its former splendor.Tour and refreshments.
Tuesday 27th April @ 10.30am TOUR AND LUNCH, THE CHINESE CENTRE, ST MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS + SHORT WALK AROUND THE SURROUNDING AREA
The Bishop Ho Ming Wah Chinese community Centre provides for members of London’s Chinese community.The centre works with elderly Chinese people, who can enjoy luncheon clubs, tai-chi, welfare advice, dance and other arts and social activities and offers activities in Cantonese for children.We will hear a talk on their activities, following by a demonstration of their activities.This will be followed be a short tour of the surrounding area (Trafalgar Square) led by a Westminster Guide, and then lunch in the Chinese Centre.
COST: £20 to include lunch
MEET: steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square
Monday 10th May 6.15 – 7.30pm BONHAMS PREVIEW AND TALK: THE ART OF ASIA: CHINESE AND JAPANESE ART
Bonhams is the world’s oldest and largest auctioneer of fine art and antiques still under British ownership. UK/Asia Chairman (and TIS member) Colin Sheaf will talk about the company, (founded in London in 1793), and discuss the Asian art on view.We will have a private preview in the galleries, view rare artworks and have an opportunity to talk to Colin, Bonhams’ Senior Chinese art specialist. Light refreshments will be provided and Thorney Island Society members are encouraged to bring friends to enjoy this event at an unusual venue.
COST: £10 per person to include light refreshments MEET: Bonhams Main Reception Area, 101 New Bond Street, W1 (one block south from Oxford Street) NEAREST TUBES: Bond Street/Oxford Circus
Wednesday 2 June 2.15pm THE HOSPITAL IN CHARTERHOUSE
Charterhouse is a former Carthusian monastery to the north of what is now Charterhouse Square. The building is formally known as Sutton’s Hospital in Charterhouse.Since the dissolution of the monasteries the house has served as a private mansion, boys’ school and almshouse, which it remains to this day.
COST: £12 (minimum 20 people)
MEET: The Gatehouse (see below)
TUBE: Barbican (or Farringdon): At the exit of Barbican station, turn left until you reach Carthusian Street, turn left and then take the first turn on the right, on the cobbled street through the car park, which leads around Charterhouse Square, until a post box and a large medieval gateway is reached (adjacent to the Malmaison Hotel). Pedestrian entry is through the gatehouse - please report to the gatekeeper.
Thursday 24th June 6.30pm TOUR OF THE GARDENS OF THE GROSVENOR ESTATE, BELGRAVIA
The squares of London are unique in providing green space in the heart of London.This tour will follow shortly after Open Square Day, so that gardens will be at their best, and an early evening in June should be lovely.Stephen Smith of Grosvenor Gardens Department will give us a tour, including a tree walk, and he is also knowledgeable about the local history as well.
IMPORTANT NOTES PLEASE READ ·It is essential that all visits are pre-booked with the event organizer ·Booking forms must be returned no later than 7 days prior to the event ·All tickets/places to be paid for in advance ·Tickets/places are issued strictly on a first come first served basis. Most visits have a limited capacity so do return your forms as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. ·Strictly speaking tickets are non-refundable except at the discretion of The Thorney Island Society or in the event of the cancellation ·The Society reserves the right to cancel any event if insufficient interest is shown ·In the interests of other attendees, please be punctual
Injury to Person/Loss of Property – The society and its officers cannot be held responsible for death or injury to members, or loss or damage to property at any time and however caused.
2009 Events
The Thorney Island Visits sub-committee (Lucy DeVille, Anne Parker and Siobhan Waters) wish you all a Happy New Year! We are planning some fascinating visits for members this year and hope you will be able to join us. Please keep feeding us with ideas.
PLEASE SEND SEPARATE CHEQUES FOR EACH EVENT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE REFUNDS. Members are welcome to invite guests but please include names on all application forms. Please send your cheques made payable to The Thorney Island Society, to Lucy DeVille, 13 The Regency, 7 Hide Place, London SW1P 4HD. Enquiries can be made to Lucy preferably by email lucydeville@homechoice.co.uk or 02078219971/07968097494. If I am away or you can’t get hold of me, you can e mail anne@dulwich.com or Siobhan_waters@yahoo.com
The Linnean Society of London is driven by a single purpose as outlined in their first charter two hundred years ago: the cultivation of the Science of Natural History in all its branches.Today more than ever the Society is an important contemporary organisation encouraging debate, research, publications, meetings, as well as maintaining internationally important historical collections in the biological sciences.Come and learn more about the work going on inside this fascinating building.
Wednesday 16 September @ 11.00 am GENTLEMAN’S LONDON – GUIDED WALK
This walk will be led by a newly qualified Westminster Guide.It will take approximately 1 ½ - 2 hours, and take us through St James’ Park and The Green Park, up past the gentlemen’s clubs and finishing in Piccadilly.
COST: £7.00
MEET: St James’s Park tube, north exit facing across Petty France/Broadway into Queen Anne’s Gate and finishing at GreenPark tube station.
Tuesday 20th October @ 9.15am PALACE OF WESTMINSTER CLOCK TOWER TOUR
During 2009, Parliament celebrates the 150th anniversary of its world famous Clock Tower, Great Clock and Great Bell – you will climb the tower and hear Big Ben strike in this special anniversary year.Owing to the nature of the tour, it is not suitable for all visitors and requires a certain degree of good health and fitness.Visitors should not undertake the tour if they are feeling unwell or experiencing known health problems that would affect their ability to complete the tour safely, as it is reasonably strenuous and there is no lift.
Important note: for security reasons we are obliged to provide additional personal details (date of birth and place of birth).Please ensure these are provided on your booking form.
COST: £10
MEET: Portcullis House Reception Area promptly at 9.15am
Tuesday 17th November @ 6.00 for 6.30pm ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
All members are invited to the AGM. There will be a fascinating talk “Kosovo to Westminster” by Occupation Commander Simon Ovens.Come and meet fellow members, enjoy light refreshments and hear about the activities of the Society over the last year and plans for the future.
VENUE: WestminsterSchool, follow signs from Courtyard
from midday at the Abbey Community Centre, Great Smith Street.Christmas Carols performed by St Matthews Primary School Junior Choir.If you have any good quality gifts suitable for raffle or stalls, please bring to the AGM (see above).Helpers urgently required to man stalls – please contact June Stubbs 02072222449
Probably 15th or 25th January 2010 (date to be confirmed) CEREMONY OF THE KEYS AT THE TOWER OF LONDON
We are endeavouring to arrange a rare opportunity to see this Ceremony but groups are limited to a maximum of 15 people and we would like you to register your interest first.Please do not send a booking form but either ring or e mail Lucy (details above) and we will add your name and get back to you to confirm which date we have been able to book and cost of this visit.
Wednesday 20th January @ 2.00pm PADDINGTON AND LITTLE VENICEWALK
We will be led by a newly qualified Westminster Guide on this bracing New Year walk to see the regeneration of PaddingtonBasin, and we will end with a warming tea stop.
COST: £7.00 (You will need to pay individually for your tea)
MEET:Clock Arch entrance Paddington Station (pick up point for taxis, next to Platform 1)
Provisional booking : Please contact Lucy (details above) to register you interest in this exclusive event
Wednesday 3rd February @ 1.00pm LUNCH AT RULES ANDTALK ON THE HISTORY OF THE RESTAURANT
Rules is the oldest restaurant in London and one of the most celebrated in the world.In over 200 years, spanning the reigns of nine monarchs, it has been owned by only three families.We will dine in one of its recently refurbished private dining rooms.As a contrast to the turkey at Christmas, we will enjoy superb lunch including mature grass fed roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.The lunch will be followed by a talk by Roules Manager about its history and the personalities who have dined there.
COST: £75.00 person to include three course dinner, coffee and chocolates and wine. NUMBERS LIMITED
MEET: Roules Restaurant, 35 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7LB
Here’s a taster of some of the visits we are planning during 2010. Details of the following will be sent with the next mailing.If you have any further suggestions or requests, we would be delighted to hear from you.We are particularly looking for invitations to visit places, such as embassies and private house not normally open to the public.
Private view, talk and drinks at Bonhams
A repeat visit to Bridgewater House for those who couldn’t make it this year
Crossness Pumping Station
The Chinese Centre, St Martin-in-the-Fields
A guided tour of the Guy’s and St ThomasHospital (not clinical areas), covering its long history
24 June @ 6.30pm Private Tour of the Gardens of the Grosvenor Estate, Westminster
It is essential that all visits are pre-booked with the event organizer
Booking forms must be returned no later than 7 days prior to the event
All tickets/places to be paid for in advance
Tickets/places are issued strictly on a first come first served basis. Most visits have a limited capacity so do return your forms as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Strictly speaking tickets are non-refundable except at the discretion of The Thorney Island Society or in the event of the cancellation
The Society reserves the right to cancel any event if insufficient interest is shown
In the interests of other attendees, please be punctual
Injury to Person/Loss of Property – The society and its officers cannot be held responsible for death or injury to members, or loss or damage to property at any time and however caused.
Website designed and created by Jamie Hole of Web Site Solutions.
