This year’s Summer Dinner will be held in the Palm Court Dining Room at the Marriott Hotel, College Green Bristol at 7.00pm.  It will be an excellent night.

Onsite parking is available at non-resident rates; nearest public car parks are the one in Millenium Square, or Trenchard St.

A booking form for this event was included in the February Bulletin.  There are still places available — look for the repeat booking form in the May Bulletin, complete and send it to Carol Lear as soon as possible.

(Updated 22 May 2013)

Today’s visit to Salisbury is to see a major exhibition exploring the young Rex Whistler’s connection with Wiltshire.

Rex Whistler (1905-1944) was a prominent and prolific 20^th century artist on the British scene between the wars.   A prodigious worker, he produced enchanting mural cycles stage designs and book illustrations, as well as portraits, designs for the decorative arts and commercial material.

The Abbey gardens

In the afternoon we visit nearby Mottisfont Abbey (NT), famous for its rose gardens and which also includes Rex Whistler’s trompe l’oeil design for the drawing room.

The coach departs All Saints Church, Pembroke Road, Clifton at 08.30, and arrives Salisbury at 11.00 when when tea and cake will be available (included).  We leave Salisbury at 14.00 and arrive at Mottisfont Abbey around 14.30 until 17.00. Arrival back at All Saints will be around 17.30.

This excursion is Full

(Updated 12 March 2013)

This excursion will feature a programme of events and activities within and around the Cathedral drawn up by Hugh Roberts, a former Chairman of the Friends who lives near the city and is himself a Guide to the Cathedral.   Lunch, morning and afternoon tea included.

Started in 1180 and largely completed by 1306, Wells is one of the most impressive of Cathedrals, with the grandest of West Fronts, rivalling only that of Exeter in the whole of Britain.   It survives with all of the original buildings associated with the Cathedral including Vicar’s Close, the Chapter House and Cloisters.   Among its internal treasures are its stained glass, beautifully carved misericords and exquisite Chapter House.

Depart All Saints Church Pembroke Road Clifton 08.45; pick up point at Peter Carol, Bamfield House, Whichurch 09.15. (NB For those living en route, pick up may be made at Peter Carol’s yard, with adequate parking, just off the A37. For the very few wishing to self-drive to Wells, a rebate can only ne given if the coach number is viable).

On arrival, tea or coffee & biscuits in the Vicar’s Hall (no disabled access); tours of the Cathedral in groups of approx. 15 followed by two course lunch.  Optional choice of Afternoon events at £4 p.p.  Tea in the Vicar’s Hall at 16.00 depart 16.45.

The booking form for this full day excursion was included with the May Bulletin.

(Updated 13 May 2013)

Cruising the Danube

Next year’s foreign holiday is a 6 day tour to Vienna, including one day in Bratislava, B & B at a centrally based 4 star hotel, plus one 3 course Dinner on arrival.

We fly from Heathrow with BA, and coach transfers to and from the airport, as well as use of an executive coach in Vienna, are included.

This residential excursion is Full

(Updated 6 December 2012)

This visit on Wednesday 7 August is to Acton Court at Latteridge near Iron Acton, South Gloucestershire, on the B4059 near the junction with the B4058 – it’s about 9 miles north-east from the centre of Bristol; just follow the signs from the B4058.

Tickets are limited to 25 which is the most allowed for the Blue Badge Guided tour, which starts at 2.30pm.  During the tour members will told the story of Acton Court, the Poyntz family who lived here, the monarchs they entertained and the state apartments they built for Henry VIII and his then wife, Anne Boleyn.

King Henry and Anne stayed at Acton Court in 1535 while on his summer progress around the Westcountry.  To impress the King, Nicholas Poyntz built a magnificent new East Wing onto the existing moated manor house.  Today, this Wing comprises most of what remains at Acton Court. It offers a rare example of 16th century royal state apartments and some decorations which are said to be the finest of their kind in England.

Tea and homemade cakes will be available in the South Court. There is partial access for disabled visitors. Parking and loos on site.

Because a car is needed to get to Acton Court, members who book for this excursion are encouraged to offer a lift to other members who they think, or know would wish to go but are without their own transport.

The booking form for this visit was included with the May Bulletin.

(Updated 22 May 2013)

Today’s excursion into the Vale of Glamorgan near Cardiff takes in visits to Dyffryn Gardens and Fonmon Castle.

Dyffryn Gardens, taken over by the National Trust in Spring last year, and designed by eminent landscape architect Thomas Mawson, are an exceptional example of Edwardian garden design, covering more than 55 acres featuring a stunning collection of intimate garden rooms, formal lawns and seasonal bedding. There is also a statuary collection, and an arboretum featuring trees from all over the world.

Within the gardens, Dyffryn House, a grand Edwardian mansion, overlooks the key aspects of the gardens. Significant parts of the ground and first floors are currently being restored to their Edwardian splendour and some of the rooms should be open at the time of our visit.

Fonman Castle

Fonmon Castle is one of the few mediaeval castles which are still lived in as a home. Since it was built by the St. John family c1200, it has only changed hands once. In 1656, during the English Civil War it was bought by Colonel Philip Jones.  It remains a private residence and the present owner, Sir Brooke Boothby, is a descendant of his.  Notable features include the library, designed by Thomas Stocking, and the extensive gardens. Our private guided tour ends with afternoon tea which is included.

Depart All Saints Church, Pembroke Road, Clifton 08.45, arrive at Dyffryn Gardens 10.00, depart 13.00; arrive Fonmon Castle 13.30, depart 16.30, arrive All Saints Church around 18.oo.

The booking form for this excursion was included with the May Bulletin.

(Updated 22 May 2013)

Our base this week is the Longhirst Hall Hotel, Nr. Morpeth

Bamburgh Castle

Longhirst Hall is a splendid Georgian country house, built in the Classical style by the famous architect John Dobson for the Lawson family in 1824 and is set in magnificent grounds with a winding drive, lake, trees and gardens.During our stay, we will be visiting Wallington (NT) and Alnwick. Other castles to be considered will be Shakespeare’s Warkworth (en route), Bamburgh on the magnificent sea coast, and Lindisfarne island (depending on tides).   Country houses will include the National Trust’s newly restored Seaton Delaval Hall, one of Vanbrugh’s masterpieces, and Lord Armstrong’s renowned Cragside (NT), the first house in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity.  We will also have time to take in the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle plus some of the sites on Hadrian’s Wall.

This Residential Excursion is Full

(Updated 12 March 2013)

Syon House is the London home of Duke of Northumberland, whose family was granted the former monastic site by James I in 1604.

The Tudor mansion was remodelled by Robert Adam for the 1^st Duke in the 1760s and the interiors are an architectural tour de force.   In the 1820s and 1830s a suite of rooms on the north side was remodelled for the young Princess Victoria, a frequent visitor when the 3^rd Duchess was her governess.   The present 12^th Duke and Duchess have now started a long-term restoration of the Adam rooms which commenced with the Great Hall in 2008.

The Park borders the Thames looking across the river to Kew Gardens. Designed by Capability Brown in 1760, the character of the Park now is nineteenth century.   The Great Conservatory in the gardens, designed by Charles Fowler and completed in 1830, was the first conservatory to be built from metal and glass on a large scale. (Click on image to enlarge it).

Depart All Saints Church, Pembroke Road 08.45, arrive Syon Park 11.30; Guided tour of House c.14.00 tbc; depart 16.30, arrive All Saints Church c18.30.

The booking form for this excursion was included with the May Bulletin.

(Updated 22 May 2013)