OUTINGS
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Outings News - December
The first outing for 2022 will be to the Congress Theatre at Eastbourne to see the multi awarded international musical Chicago. Set in the razzle- dazzle decadence of the 1920’s. Murder, corruption ,exploration ,adultery and treachery. So it begins the multi awarded international musical Chicago.The story is about Roxy Hart a housewife and nightclub dancer that murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her.
Desperate to avoid conviction she hires the slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might be ripped out of today’s tabloid newspapers.
We will be going to the matinee performance on Thursday 17th February . Although we are not going till February , I could only reserve a block of seats until 31/12/21 without payment.So if you wish to see this musical you need to apply for your tickets before the end of December.
The application form will be at the end of the December newsletter, so either email me or send an application in ASAP to avoid disappointment .
Joan Young
Outings Co-ordinator
Desperate to avoid conviction she hires the slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might be ripped out of today’s tabloid newspapers.
We will be going to the matinee performance on Thursday 17th February . Although we are not going till February , I could only reserve a block of seats until 31/12/21 without payment.So if you wish to see this musical you need to apply for your tickets before the end of December.
The application form will be at the end of the December newsletter, so either email me or send an application in ASAP to avoid disappointment .
Joan Young
Outings Co-ordinator
Report on October Outing to Audley End
The first sighting of Audley End House was magical. The morning sun lit up this beautiful house, sitting comfortably in the most amazing gardens. The house and tea rooms were available upon our arrival, with no time restrictions on viewing the house, giving us the freedom to explore Audley End from top to bottom. Guides were on hand and happy to answer our questions. There was so much to take in, paintings of residents past by Holbein and Canaletto, and many Dutch and Flemish old masters . Venturing into the huge laundry we found the household linen left hanging above our heads to dry. I believe the kitchen and the laundry have been used in many period dramas along with the stables. Needless to say there’s something for everyone. We enjoyed all Audley End House had to offer.
Report on September Outing to Highclere Castle
As the coach approached the grounds the sheer size of Highclere took your breath away. Thanks to our driver Barry’s impeccable driving we arrived pretty much on time and couldn’t wait to scramble out of the coach on this perfect day. The castle’s undulating grounds stretched out enticingly; dotted here and there with huge trees, strategically placed follies, walled gardens, and tables set for tea.
Fans of Downton Abbey were in for a treat. All the public rooms had billboards highlighting set pieces from the drama with the actors in situ, an inspired idea. We could see Lady Mary standing just in front of “that fireplace” or the Dowager Countess of Grantham, (Maggie Smith) straight backed, holding forth from “that sofa”, Lord Grantham in the smoking room, and was that Carson waiting in the wings?
As we moved through the library and sitting rooms light flooded in highlighting painted ceilings and painted walls; rooms full of colour, amber, ochre, burnt orange and gold. No magnolia here. Family and Royal photographs decorated every surface. Upstairs were more treats as the bedrooms were open; each enjoyed a different colour scheme with sumptuous drapes and, since they are still in use, modern plumbing!
We were so fortunate in being the last public tour of the season. The castle was due to close to the public the very next day and the Count and Countess were moving back in to host private tours and their own guests for the rest of the year. We were assured the bedrooms were all in use by the guests as were the state rooms, this was no museum it felt really lived in. Finally, the Tutankhamun display in the basement was mesmerising and merits a paragraph of its own, but I haven’t the space! Our coach drew away leaving a lingering view of the castle and the remembrance of how the other half live! Joan thank you for organising such a wonderful day. Sheila Casey
As the coach approached the grounds the sheer size of Highclere took your breath away. Thanks to our driver Barry’s impeccable driving we arrived pretty much on time and couldn’t wait to scramble out of the coach on this perfect day. The castle’s undulating grounds stretched out enticingly; dotted here and there with huge trees, strategically placed follies, walled gardens, and tables set for tea.
Fans of Downton Abbey were in for a treat. All the public rooms had billboards highlighting set pieces from the drama with the actors in situ, an inspired idea. We could see Lady Mary standing just in front of “that fireplace” or the Dowager Countess of Grantham, (Maggie Smith) straight backed, holding forth from “that sofa”, Lord Grantham in the smoking room, and was that Carson waiting in the wings?
As we moved through the library and sitting rooms light flooded in highlighting painted ceilings and painted walls; rooms full of colour, amber, ochre, burnt orange and gold. No magnolia here. Family and Royal photographs decorated every surface. Upstairs were more treats as the bedrooms were open; each enjoyed a different colour scheme with sumptuous drapes and, since they are still in use, modern plumbing!
We were so fortunate in being the last public tour of the season. The castle was due to close to the public the very next day and the Count and Countess were moving back in to host private tours and their own guests for the rest of the year. We were assured the bedrooms were all in use by the guests as were the state rooms, this was no museum it felt really lived in. Finally, the Tutankhamun display in the basement was mesmerising and merits a paragraph of its own, but I haven’t the space! Our coach drew away leaving a lingering view of the castle and the remembrance of how the other half live! Joan thank you for organising such a wonderful day. Sheila Casey
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Report on Outing to Uppark House
Our August outing was to Uppark House, a 17th century residence donated to the National Trust in 1954, which overlooks the stunning panoramic South Downs. The gardens were designed by Humphrey Repton, the foremost architect and landscape designer of his day. It survived a devastating fire in 1989, resulting in a pioneering conservation project. It was free flow and everyone admired the interior of the house with all its beautiful paintings and exquisite treasures. The Doll’s House especially left people in wonderment. Our members enjoyed the day out in spite being caught up in a 12 mile M25 tailback returning to Tunbridge Wells. Thsnk you to Stella Westrup for organising.
Our August outing was to Uppark House, a 17th century residence donated to the National Trust in 1954, which overlooks the stunning panoramic South Downs. The gardens were designed by Humphrey Repton, the foremost architect and landscape designer of his day. It survived a devastating fire in 1989, resulting in a pioneering conservation project. It was free flow and everyone admired the interior of the house with all its beautiful paintings and exquisite treasures. The Doll’s House especially left people in wonderment. Our members enjoyed the day out in spite being caught up in a 12 mile M25 tailback returning to Tunbridge Wells. Thsnk you to Stella Westrup for organising.
Report on Outing to Anglesey Abbey
On Tuesday 27th July we had our first outing since February 2020 to Anglesey Abbey. The outing was enjoyed by 47 of our members.
The house was last owned by Lord Fairhaven who bequeathed it to the National Trust on his death in 1966. He primarily bought it because it was near Newmarket race course and the queen mother visited and stayed in the house when she went to the race course. The origins of the house date back 900 years and was an infirmary and then a priory but that was dissolved under Henry the eighth’s reign.The ruins remained until early in the seventeenth century when the present house was built .There is an eclectic collection of antiquities dating from the early Tudors to the 1960’s. The gardens were beautiful, consisting of a formal garden, herbaceous garden, a rose garden,an area that had stunning silver birch trees and many more lovely areas of the garden.
The house was last owned by Lord Fairhaven who bequeathed it to the National Trust on his death in 1966. He primarily bought it because it was near Newmarket race course and the queen mother visited and stayed in the house when she went to the race course. The origins of the house date back 900 years and was an infirmary and then a priory but that was dissolved under Henry the eighth’s reign.The ruins remained until early in the seventeenth century when the present house was built .There is an eclectic collection of antiquities dating from the early Tudors to the 1960’s. The gardens were beautiful, consisting of a formal garden, herbaceous garden, a rose garden,an area that had stunning silver birch trees and many more lovely areas of the garden.
Here are some of the outings that we enjoyed before Coronavirus restrictions came into effect:
The Royal splendour of Windsor Castle. All that glittered was gold!
The awe-inspiring Bletchley Park set in acres of garden, renowned for breaking the Enigma Code.
Polesden Lacey was a truly beautiful house set in very pretty gardens. The interiors had been furnished with no expense spared and our Queen and Princess Margaret spent many holidays there as children.
The Spitfire and Hurricane Museum at Manston was a homage to the very young and brave men that flew these planes and lost their lives. A truly inspiring visit, plus we visited Reculver bay where the bouncing bomb was trialled.
