Our small group of fifteen will meet our Blue Badge Guide, Mark, in London for the start of this Walk, which he introduces as "Our latest London stroll takes us to the North West corner of Bertie Wooster's Mayfair, within minutes proceeding from a sanitaryware emporium past a cathedral cheek by jowl with industrial dwellings and the mansions of the ultra-wealthy, to the Bentley Boys' Art Deco garage: the posh quarter's a kaleidoscope of cultural signifiers, real estate and fleeting denizens. The power and diplomatic weight of the US embassy, and its warriors hot and cold, have shifted South, but their ghosts persist; spiritual uplift and high-class conversions are still provided by Mayfair's Jesuits, conveniently close to the Connaught: at Farm Street: we'll see the farm as well as "Gothic Revival at its most sumptuous" (Simon Jenkins). We end where we began, having appreciated Mayfair as it has changed with time, and evoked some of its ghosts, literary, cultural and historical."

As usual, Mark's two-hour tour is full of interest and fun.

This Visit is fully booked; waiting list only.  Enquiries to the Visits Secretary at ascot@theartssociety.org

This year's Summer Lunch will be held at the Bull Inn, dating back to 1252, in Bisham Village, near Marlow. 

Starting with a welcome drink, there will be a three course lunch followed by coffee. 

Time: 12.00 for 12.30.

Ticket sales open at the June meeting.

Bignor Roman Villa is unique, and we can touch and walk on the mosaic floor. This is the perfect compliment to our future visit to St Albans.  Coffee available on arrival.

We have booked the Cricketers at Duncton for lunch, at your own cost. Menu choices at the May lecture meeting. No obligation.   

The exhibition of Newlyn School Painters at Champs Hill includes work by Stanhope and Elizabeth Forbes, Walter Langley, Harold Harvey and Dame Laura Knight.  This visit is by invitation of the Bowerman Trust, who have offered tea and biscuits, and the opportunity to stroll in the grounds at Champs Hill.

Coach leaves Ascot Car Park 3 at 9am, and leaves Champs Hill at 5pm

THIS VISIT IS FULLY BOOKED - WAITING LIST ONLY

visitssecretary.ascot@theartssociety.org

Image credit: Walter Langley The Breadwionners 1896 - Public Domain

This very enjoyable London Guided Walk started at Waterloo where we met our guide, Mark. The route took in some of the most interesting and some little known features within easy walking distance, finishing at St Paul's.

For photos and notes, see documents   

We enjoyed a comfortable coach journey to Covent Garden, and some free time before our excellent exclusive tours of the Royal Ballet and Opera House, in the afternoon.   

To see photos of the visit Click HERE

This London Guided Walk started at Waterloo Station where we met Mark, our Blue Badge Guide. He took us on a fascinating journey over Waterloo Bridge, along the Embankment and Whitehall to Westminster that more than fulfilled his promise: 

“Our walk from Waterloo Station to Westminster offers an embarrassment of riches, photogenic, monumental, contemporary,  historical and quirky; the “decorative and fine arts” remit is well served, as we revisit viewpoints chosen by Canaletto and Monet, take a position on fashionable Brutalism, and enjoy public art from street furniture to all-but-forgotten heroes; and we'll see the iconic sights.”

To See Photos form our walk, click HERE

This Year we enjoyed an excellent three-course lunch at the beautiful riverside restaurant, the MEDITERRANEVM at Bray.

The event was fully booked, and the day was glorious.

We enjoyed excellent guided tours at the Henry Moore Foundation, following up the lecture on this artist.  We saw his studios, the sculpture park, and the aisled barn where his tapestries are displayed, and some members toured the house.  There was some free time to revisit these sites and enjoy refreshment; the whole day was thoroughly worthwhile.

To see photos of our visit click HERE

We made a special visit to Oxford, with free time at the Ashmolean Museum before guided walking tours of the University.  The tours included the main central parts of the University and New, St John's and Balliol Colleges. We had an excellent day.   

To see Photos of the visit please click HERE

We were delighted to visit this venue for a double bill:  a Guided Tour of the Musical Museum and a Christmas Concert with a glass of fizz, Afternoon Tea - and coach travel - all included. 

The Musical Museum in Brentford tells the fascinating story of how people have captured and listened to music over the last four centuries. From tiny music boxes to the Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ in the concert hall, the collection includes an impressive array of instruments and inventions, including reproducing pianos, orchestrions, self-playing violins, pipe organs, gramophones & synthesizers. We saw and heard them in action, and learnt how music was recorded and reproduced. 

We were made very welcome, plied with hot and cold drinks, and the whole day was an interesting and happy prelude to the Chrismas Season.  

Your feedback is always appreciated.

 visitssecretary.ascot@theartssociety.org.

Following our October lecture on the City Livery Companies, we made a wonderful visit to the Painters' Hall - home to the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers, a Company whose origins can be traced back to the thirteenth century and who are ranked 28th in the seniority of the City Livery Companies. We enjoyed a tour and talk explaining the history and work of the Company, and the artefacts on display.  There was also a special exhibition of decorative works at the time, and we were given fascinating demonstrations of particular skills.

Later we went to the Guildhall Art Gallery for guided tours of some of the pictures and artefacts there, before going down to see the extensive Roman Amphitheatre.   

To see photos of the Visit, please click HERE

Following our lecture on Charles Saatchi, and anticipating the one on the work of Henry Moore, a group of our members made an exclusive visit with a guided tour of the private collection of Stanley Picker. He was a successful businessman who used his wealth to support young artists, helping several of them to establish their careers. The house and most of the artefacts are from the middle of last century, and most of the artists represented are now famous names.

Following a guided tour of G E Street's Royal Courts of Justice, we visited Sir John Soane's Museum, in Lincoln's Inn Fields. The extraordinary museum and house of this leading English architect, was built and lived in by him almost 200 years ago. The museum, which displays his vast collection of antiquities, furniture, sculptures, architectrural models and paintings, has been kept as it was at the time of his death in 1837. We enjoyed tours of the museum, where we saw, among other treasures, paintings by Hogarth, Canaletto and Turner.

To see photos of the visit please Click HERE and HERE and select Visits 2024

Our Summer Lunch this year will be held at Chobham Golf Club, in a beautiful location. 

Arrive at 12 noon for 12.30pm.

There will be a welcome drink, followed by a three course lunch with menu choices, coffee and a short entertainment.

Tickets £48

For details pleae contact Rosemary or Lisa at the Visits table at meetings or email at visitssecretary.ascot@theartssociety.org or ascot@theartssociety.org

To see photos of the Summer Lunch, please click HERE

Following our recent lecture on Dürer, we have organised a visit to see an exhibition ‘The Devil is in the Detail: Dürer’s Great Passion and Early Woodcuts from the Schroder Collection’ at Strawberry Hill House - Horace Walpole's 'little gothic castle'. This will be included as part of a guided tour of the house. This extraordinary building is internationally famous as Britain’s finest example of Georgian Gothic revival architecture and home to an increasingly important collection of paintings and objects.

We will also visit Marble Hill House, a space of enormous historic significance as one of the finest surviving examples of early 18th century architecture and landscaping in England. Inside the house, we will discover a taste of Georgian life with freshly conserved interiors and new displays that tell the story of Henrietta Howard, Marble Hill’s remarkable owner.

For further details, please contact Rosemary Goulbourn on ascot@theartssociety.org

Depart: Ascot Car Park 3 at 9.30am

Price: £45

To see photos of the visit, please click HERE

We have organised a visit to the British Museum, which will include a Guided Tour – ‘Around the World in 90 Minutes’. This is a highlights tour of the museum, including iconic objects such as the Rosetta Stone, the Lewis Chessmen and the Parthenon Sculptures. There will also be time to visit other galleries in the Museum.

For further details, please contact Rosemary Goulbourn on ascot@theartssociety.org

Depart: Ascot Car Park 3 at 9.30am

Price: £40 

Pictures from the visit can be seen HERE  and HERE (Visits 2024)

We organised a visit to Kensington Palace to see the Crown to Couture Exhibition in the State Apartments and Piggott Rooms, featuring over 200 items from ball gowns to court suits and handbags to jewellery. The exhibition draws fascinating parallels between the world of today’s red carpet and the Georgian Royal Court in the 18th century.

The ticket included access to all public areas of the palace and gardens including:

• Crown to Couture exhibition in the State apartments and Piggott Galleries

• Victoria: A Royal Childhood

Our Summer Lunch this year was held at the prestigious 5 star Fairmont Hotel adjacent to Windsor Great Park. This was the location of the announcement on 27 February 2023, of the Windsor Framework, a proposed post-Brexit legal agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom.

The lunch took place in the 1215 Restaurant, overlooking the private terrace and manicured gardens, and included:

·         A welcome drink (non-alcoholic cocktail)

·         Buffet lunch

·         Tour of the artworks in the hotel and grounds

·         Exclusive use of the room for our society

To see photos of the Lunch click HERE 

We enjoyed a visit to Petworth House, Sussex as a follow-up to our May lecture: The Limewood Sculptors of Renaissance Germany, which included Grinling Gibbons.

Inspired by the imposing palaces of Europe, Petworth House was rebuilt in the 17th century with grand state rooms designed to display wealth, taste and royal connections. Arranged as they were when the 3rd Earl of Egremont lived here, we saw the state rooms of this English ‘Versailles’ just as visiting artists like JMW Turner did. The opulent State Rooms display one of the finest art collections in the care of the National Trust, including a large group of portraits by Van Dyck, works by Turner and Blake and many other leading artists, as well as a collection of classical sculpture and, in the Carved Room, intricate carvings by Grinling Gibbons, ‘The King’s Carver’, that now frame its pictures, including a famous portrait of Henry VIII from Holbein’s studio.

To see photos of the visit click HERE and go to Visits 2023 or click HERE

We enjoyed a QI presentation based on the fine and decorative arts, coffee, tea and biscuits, then a fascinating tour of our local landmark, including the facilities for the jockeys, the architecture and the wonderful sculptures and paintings.  

 To see photos, click HERE and go to visit 2023  and HERE

The highlight of the Christmas Display was a magnificent 20 ft high Nordmann Fir tree in St George’s Hall, where carols were sung by local community and school choirs.

Another Christmas tree on display in the Crimson Drawing Room

The Waterloo Chamber featured a sumptuous  table display of decorative items from the Royal Collection beneath glittering chandeliers

Festive foliage and wreaths adorned gates and lampposts in the Castle precincts, with spectacular garlands on the Grand Staircase.

Tickets £24 - 

Ticket price includes entry to Windsor Castle until 8th December 2023

In February 2020, we had a fascinating lecture on ‘Painting with a Needle: 18th Century Embroidery for Gentlemen and Botanists’ by Dr Susan Kay-Williams, Chief Executive and Head Curator of the Royal School of Needlework. We were delighted to follow this up with a visit to the Royal School of Needlework.

We enjoyed the first exhibition at Hampton Court Palace in three years, ‘A Girl’s Education in Stitch’. The exhibition demonstrated the variety of work stitched by girls as part of their education and featured fascinating objects from the RSN Collection and Archive dating from 1730s.
The Curator’s Tour began with an illustrated lecture, and continued with in-depth information about the exhibition and fascinating stories and facts about the subject with historical context and background about the Royal School of Needlework.
After this we could examine exhibits in close detail and had access to relevant parts of the handling Collection. 

To see photos from the visit, click HERE

We spent a fantastic day at the magnificent gardens of Leonardslee Sculpture Park with lunch at the nearby Vineyard Kitchen Restaurant, in the Mannings Golf Club. 

The day included a tour of the spectacular and ancient gardens and lakes with one of the largest outdoor art displays created by the sculptor Anton Smit. We enjoyed exploring the park  on foot or by riding on a buggy.

Also included was a visit to the Leonardslee Dolls House museum which features a model Edwardian estate with over 200 exquisitely handcrafted characters. 
We had lunch at The Vineyard Kitchen Restaurant, set in 500 acres of the South Downs National Park.

To see photos of the visit click HERE

We have organised a visit to London’s National Gallery to see the Credit Suisse Exhibition: Raphael. We have timed tickets for 11.00am, and one should allow about an hour or so to see the exhibition. The rest of the day can be spent visiting other parts of the gallery. For this reason, we have been unable to organise coffee.

A painter, draughtsman, architect, archaeologist, and poet, Raphael captured in his art the human and the divine, love and friendship, learning and power. This exhibition, one of the first ever to explore Raphael's complete career, looks at his celebrated paintings and drawings as well as his work in architecture, poetry, and design for sculpture, tapestry and prints.

With loans from the Hermitage, the Louvre, National Gallery of Art, Washington, the Prado Museum, Uffizi Museum, Vatican Museum, and the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, this is an unprecedented opportunity to see the breadth of Raphael’s skill, creativity, and ingenuity.

See photos from the exhibition HERE

The Fabergé Exhibition, Romance to Revolution, will showcase the wonderful work of legendary Russian goldsmith, Carl Faberge. Over 200 pieces tells the story of Carl Faberge and his internationally recognised firm that symbolised Russian craftsmanship and elegance. He opened his only branch outside of Russia in London in 1903 where everyone with newly-made fortunes flocked to his boutique to buy gifts. The exhibition includes the largest display of Imperial Easter Eggs in a generation, several of which have never been shown in the UK before.

Entry to the Fabergé exhibition will be on timed tickets, leaving members free to have lunch and visit the rest of the museum until our departure. Suggested collections to view while at the Museum include the Raphael Cartoons, in anticipation of  our forthcoming lecture ‘Raphael of Urbino: Artist and Architect’, postponed from last year; William de Morgan’s tiles, tile panels, vases and dishes as a follow-up to last year’s lecture ‘Passionate Potters from De Morgan to Leach’ and Manuscripts in the National Art Library located at the Museum following our March lecture ‘Medieval Illuminated Books of Hours’.

We only have 30 tickets for this very special exhibition so please email Eloise (eloisevol@yahoo.co.uk) to check availability, before transferring money.

Depart:  Ascot car park 3 at  8.30am – Leave  London at 5.00pm

Price: £38 Payable by Bank Transfer to:         The Arts Society Ascot

                                                                           Sort Code: 20-65-20

                                                                           Account no:  53002659

                                                                           Ref: Faberge

Founded in 1811, the Dulwich Picture Gallery was the first purpose-built public art gallery to open to the public and remains one of Britain’s most valued artistic and architectural treasures. It houses a collection of over 600 works rich in European masterpieces including Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Canaletto and Poussin. In addition to the Collection, we visited an exhibition – Radical Beauty – the first major UK exhibition of woodcuts by leading Abstract Expressionist Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011).

After lunch we went on to the Horniman Museum, with its Natural History Gallery and Nature base, World Gallery with wonderful artefacts of nations across the globe, and Music Gallery, along with other displays. 

To see photos of the visit click HERE

ALL TICKETS HAVE NOW BEEN SOLD BUT IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE PUT ON THE WAITING LIST IN THE EVENT OF LATE CANCELLATIONS, PLEASE CONTACT ELOISE VOLSCHENK

Treat yourself to an early Christmas present. Enjoy the magic of the season with a matinée performance of a much loved ballet - The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum. 

In addition to this fabulous ballet, you will also have the opportunity to do some last-minute Christmas shopping and enjoy the illuminations. 

Programme of the day includes:
10:00am Coach leaves Ascot Car Park 3
Free time in London
2:30pm Nutcracker Performance
5:00pm Coach returns via Regent Street or Oxford Street to see Christmas lights
 
Places are limited - we only have 24 tickets 
TAS Ascot has negotiated a special discount for these tickets which must be booked by the 8th October.

Cost : £84.00  (includes ticket and the coach).

We have reserved excellent seats at a special rate in the Dress Circle (rows E to G)
Full refund if the show is cancelled due to COVID restrictions.

As places are limited, to avoid disappointment, book as soon as possible. 

ALL TICKETS HAVE NOW BEEN SOLD, BUT IF YOU WISH TO BE PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST, PLEASE CONTACT ELOISE (Details below)

Following our June lecture, "Coventry Cathedral - Icon and Inspiration," we have organised a visit to Coventry, which has been selected as this year's UK City of Culture. We will spend the day with a Blue Badge Guide, exploring the Cathedral and other beautiful sights in the area, some on foot and some by coach.

Tickets £36 - payable by Bank Transfer

To see photos of our visit click Here and go to Visists 2021 and Here to see more photos in Documents section

We organised an exciting day for our annual Summer Lunch this year. The Programme for the day was as follows:

10.15: Arrive at the Runnymede Boathouse for a Prosecco reception 

11.00 - 12.45 Cruise with commentary through Old Windsor, Datchet and the grounds of Windsor Castle to arrive at the 4-star Sir Christopher Wren's Hotel and Spa, Windsor, for lunch

12.45 - 15.45 Lunch and walk along the river

16.00 Depart from Windsor, arriving back at Runnymede Boathouse at 17.30

To see photos of our day click HEREhttps://www.theartssocietyascot.org.uk/DocumentStore/Suumer%20Lunch%20Windsor%202021.pdf

We rescheduled our visit to Highclere Castle, the country seat of the 8^th  Earl of Carnarvon.  In the 19th century, the 3rd Earl commissioned the architect Charles Barry to transform the old Georgian house into today's 'Italianate castle'.  Amongst its treasures, it contains many of the Egyptian artefacts that Lord Carnarvon collected when he and his colleague, Howard Carter, discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. This is also the main location used in the Downton Abbey television series and film.

We had a self-guided tour of the house in the morning, when we were also able to visit the Egyptian Exhibition  and in the afternoon we were free to visit the Gardens and Grounds.

To see photos of the visit click HERE

THIS VISIT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS

We have organised tickets for the TUTANKHAMUN: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh exhibition, which commemorates the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. 

This exhibition explores the life of King Tutankhamun through more than 150 authentic pieces from his tomb. This is the largest number of artefacts that has travelled in previous exhibitions, more than 60 of which are for the first time exhibited outside Egypt. This is the last opportunity to view these world heritage artefacts before they return to Egypt forever.

For more details, please contact Eloise 

Admission tickets £28.60 

Meet at 11am at Waterloo Station by Foyles bookshop, the tickets are timed for entrance at 12.30pm.

Please purchase a Day Travel Card as we will use the underground.

We will have coffee and biscuits on arrival at the Ashmolean, then a lecture about the Young Rembrandt, and a buffet lunch (included in the ticket) and the Exhibition entrance.  

This is the first exhibition in the UK to explore the early years of the career of the famous Dutch artist, Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669). The exhibition will chart the astonishing transformation of Rembrandt’s work from his earliest known paintings, prints and drawings, to the moment he become famous in Amsterdam in the mid-1630s.
On display will be the largest collection of artworks devoted to the young Rembrandt: 34 paintings by Rembrandt, 10 by his most important contemporaries, and a further 90 drawings and prints from international and private collections.  

Afterwards, a short walk away,  we will have an hour’s guided tour of the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe, dating back to the 15th century. It holds an incomparable collection of books and manuscripts.
NB: Please be aware that the Bodleian tour involves three flights of uneven stairs, so you can choose to opt out of this tour - see two prices below.
 

Tickets: 'The Young Rembrandt' lecture and exhibition, and Bodleian Library  £62.00
                                       

               ‘The Young Rembrandt’ lecture and exhibition £53.50
 

both prices include coach, coffee or tea and biscuits on arrival and lunch.
                       

The coach will depart from Ascot Car Park 3 at 8:30am.

The Brandenburg Christmas choral music concert in the afternoon of Friday 6th December, was delightful.   There was an interval, during which there was a short talk on the architecture and history of the wonderful venue - the Church of St Bartholomew the Great. The mince pies and mulled wine were very welcome ... it was an excellent follow up to our own start to the Christmas season at Tuesday's lecture meeting. 

Tickets £39.50 inclusive.   Coach from Ascot Car Park 3 at 11:00 am, returned 6.30pm.

to comment, go to the Contact Us page.  

Kew Gardens is the setting for an exhibition of dazzling glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly, the world's most celebrated contemporary glass artist. The Gardens and glasshouses have been transformed into a one-of-a-kind contemporary outdoor gallery, where a wide selection of his art, including large-scale installations, sculptural works, and drawings are being displayed, several of the pieces  being exhibited for the first time in the UK. 32 artworks in 13 locations including glasshouses, vistas, and galleries demonstrate the evolution of the artist’s career over fifty years. 

Our visit included: a train ride round the Gardens, the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art hosting 12 bodies of work and a film detailing Chihuly's creative process, as well as the recently renovated Temperate House in which one of the new artworks is suspended from the ceiling, and the amazing Marianne North Gallery.

Tickets £37  -  Kew Members £24

Leaving from Ascot Car Park 3 at 9 am

To see photos of main installations click HERE 

To celebrate 30 years since the founding of  Ascot DFAS - now The Arts Society Ascot - we organised a special visit to Royal Holloway College on Friday 9th August.

We started in the beautiful chapel with an interesting talk then a tour of Founders Building (right) - one of the world’s most spectacular university buildings, and home to the famous Picture Gallery containing Thomas Holloway’s fine collection of Victorian paintings.  Then a two course lunch with wine was served in the Picture Gallery. After lunch the curator gave us a talk about some of the pictures that surrounded us in the Gallery.  It was a joyful event and a great way to mark the special year.

Althorp has been home to the Spencer family since 1508.
Charles, Ninth Earl Spencer has been in charge for just 23 of the House’s 500-year history but has striven in that time to make a positive difference, by taking an uncompromising approach to the continuing wellbeing of Althorp.  Showcasing one of Europe’s finest private collections of furniture, paintings and ceramics, each intriguing room of this magnificent family home has a fascinating story of its own.  From the captivating interiors to the beguiling grounds, Althorp offers a wealth of opportunities for visitors of all ages, and showcases the various interests and passions of those who have lived here over the centuries.

To see photos of the visit click HERE

The Ceremony of the Keys is the traditional locking up of the Tower of London.  Set amidst the mighty battlements of this ancient fortress, it is one of the oldest and most colourful surviving ceremonies of its kind, having been enacted every night without fail for well over 700 years in much the same form as we know it today. Prior to attending the Ceremony of the Keys, guests were taken on an external tour by a Yeoman Warder starting from 8.30pm. They then assembled to witness this historic ceremony. With the Tower secure for another evening, guests departed at 10.05pm.

To see Pictures of the visit Click HERE

Following our lecture in February on "The Wallace and Frick Collections and their connection with Knole", we planned a visit to Knole. 

We enjoyed a beautiful day - wall to wall sunshine if a little chilly, good journeys, and lots of interest.  The sixteen showrooms containing a world-class collection of portraits, royal furniture and opulent silver were fascinating.  Nine of these rooms were open for the first time in two years, following extensive conservation work.   Most of our party ventured out into Lord Sackville’s private garden, and some climbed the towers for magnificent views.

After lunch we enjoyed an outdoor 'Past to Present' Tour, which explored Knole’s 600 year history, taking in the historic courtyards, where we heard about Knole’s occupants and their influence on the house as it has evolved over the centuries. The tour concluded with a visit to the Conservation Studio, where a conservation expert explained the work carried out on the Trust’s collection. 

To see photos of the visit click HERE

We enjoyed a wonderful outing to The Queen's Gallery, where the visit to the exhibition was preceded by an excellent talk, indicating many points of interest which brought the viewing of the artifacts up to a whole new level.

Through war, alliance and dynastic marriage the relationships between Britain and Russia and their royal families are explored from Peter the Great's visit to London in 1698 through to Nicholas II. Portraits, sculpture, photographs, archival documents and miniature masterpieces by Fabergé illustrate historic events and family meetings between the rulers of the two nations.   Many of the rich and varied works of art on display are unique – some commissioned as grand diplomatic gifts, others as intimate personal mementos between the royal family and the Romanovs, and they bring to life the shared patronage of artists and craftsmen from both countries.

To see photos of the visit click HERE

and Christmas shopping?

We had a wonderful tour of the Wallace Collection (anticipating our lecture in February) with an excellent guide who showed us many of the highlights of this treasure trove. We then had time for lunch and to look at the rest of the collection, or shop locally, before returning to Ascot.

Our coach left Ascot at 9am for London, and on arrival at the Wallace Collection we enjoyed coffee and biscuits.  We left London about 4pm;  the day ticket was £35.

Following up the lecture ‘Votes for Women’ we visited Westminster Hall for

Voice & Vote: Women's Place in Parliament   

We also saw the New Dawn Window.

Afterwards we visited the Churchill War Rooms (Cabinet War Rooms) nearby - a most interesting and enjoyable visit.

To mark the Golden Jubilee of NADFAS (The Arts Society)

The Arts Society Ascot joined the Arts Societies of Runnymede, Englemere, Windsor Day and Windsor Evening, and the Windsor Festival, in hosting a lecture.  Guests enjoyed a very special occasion.

St George's Chapel:Its Origins and Inspirations 

 by Dr. Jonathan Foyle

The Arts Society Ascot celebrated

with a performance by Opera Piccolina of

Don Pasquale

by Donizetti

at Heathfield School, Ascot 

in the St Mary’s Theatre 

We were lucky to have a fine evening for those of us who enjoyed picnicing in the grounds of Heathfield School beforehand, and the Opera commenced with an introductory talk, then delighted the audience with its amusing story, great acting, beautiful singing and superb music.  

To see photos of the event click HERE

We enjoyed an excellent Summer Lunch

this Year at Bluebells

Cheers!

We visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, aka The Neasden Temple: the first purpose built Hindu temple in Europe.  After a good journey and perhaps our first lady coach driver, we arrived to see this magnificent building complex.  The first part of the visit, after coffee and biscuits, was into a large hall, the Haveli. The extensive pillared interior is quite breathtaking with frames and beams of English oak, and walls and pillars richly clad with intricately carved Burmese teak.

By chance, this was an especially busy day as the Chief Hindu priest of India was visiting, and not only did we see him arrive, but we were invited to watch the religious ceremony in the Mandir.  Shoes had to be removed, and silence observed, before going to the temple where photography was not allowed.  The ceremony was not long, but those watching had to remain still, either sitting on the floor or standing. When it ended visitors could walk around the temple but still not talk. The many pillars and walls are of white marble, deeply carved with named deities amongst rich ornamentation.

After leaving the marble temple we saw an exhibition: UNDERSTANDING HINDUISM, which was clear and interesting with some surprising information. Geometry, the decimal system, zero, chess and plastic surgery (among other important things) came from India, which had the first university about 700BC. Part of Hinduism is caring and striving never to harm another living thing, whether human, animal or plant.

We were shown a short film about the complex, which told us that the site was cleared and prepared by volunteers and the concrete foundations laid in one day.  All the building materials (limestone for the exterior from Bulgaria, Teak from Burma and marble from Italy) were transported to India where skilled craftsmen made and carved all the units by hand. The finished works were numbered, crated and sent to the site to be assembled ‘like a giant jig-saw puzzle’.  The man who introduced the film and answered questions told us he and many Hindus in Britain are from Kenya, himself from Masai Mara.

Lunch in the restaurant across the road was also very interesting – and delicious. All vegetarian, a thousand different flavours!  The food shop next door sells a vast array of different products – from fresh fruit and vegetables, dried spices, frozen patties, to storage boxes. Many of us enjoyed this shopping opportunity before joining the coach for a comfortable ride home.  Thank you Anne and Alison for a lovely day.

To see photos of the visit click HERE

Following our October 2017 lecture “Image and History – Art at the Lansdowne Club”, we were very fortunate to be able to arrange a visit to the Lansdowne Club in London. Mrs Pamela Campbell-Johnston, who had delivered our lecture and is the curator of the Club’s art collection, gave us an introductory talk on the history of the house, followed by a tour of the club, where we saw for ourselves the beautifully restored original features of the house, as well as the Art Deco rooms and the eclectic collection of artwork, ranging from original family portraits to modern commissioned works of art.

 In 1761 Robert Adam was commissioned by John Stuart, third Earl of Bute, to design a house on a site in Berkeley Square. The unfinished property was sold in 1765 to William Petty, second Earl of Shelburne, who agreed to keep Adam’s original designs. In 1784 Lord Shelburne was created first Marquess of Lansdowne and the house became known as Lansdowne House.

 Over the years, Lansdowne House  was the residence of three Prime Ministers; in 1782 it witnessed the drafting of the peace treaty with America, its chief American signatory being Benjamin Franklin; from 1834, after fire destroyed both Houses of Parliament, the Lansdowne Dining Room was used for meetings of the Privy Council until the Palace of Westminster was built; throughout the First World War it was used as a first aid station; in 1921 it was rented to Harry Gordon Selfridge, founder of Selfridge’s department store. In 1929 the house was sold by the sixth Marquess to an American architect and property developer who wanted to build a fifteen-storey hotel on the south side of Berkeley Square. Permission was refused and in 1930, Lansdowne House  was sold to the Bruton Club. In 1933 Lansdowne House was radically restructured: Adam’s façade was cut back forty feet and the First Drawing Room and Great Eating Room were dismantled and shipped to America. In 1934 the Bruton Club sold the freehold to London Assurance and on 1 May 1935 the renamed Lansdowne Club, a 'social, residential and athletic Club for members of social standing…' was officially opened.

On this really cold but bright sunny day, we enjoyed a special tour of The Club. After a good clear run and coffee and biscuits on arrival, we visited The Wimbledon Museum which has an exhibition of 50 years of BBC coverage of The Chamionships, and after lunch we had a wonderful one-and-a-half hour conducted tour of the site, including the BBC studio, the viewing area roof  and Centre Court.  

The main event of this visit was a fascinating illustrated talk about the devastating fire in State Apartments in 1992, and included many details about the cause and effects of the fire and rescue of so many artifacts.  A clear description of the subsequent restoration of the building and the skilled work involved added to our later enjoyment walking around the State Apartments. 

After coffee on arrival we met our guide and were taken to see the Cumberland Gallery and its paintings, which had been the subject of an earlier lecture. A guided tour followed, and this included the later apartments and all the wonderful old parts of the Palace.  After lunch we were free to explore and walk in the beautiful gardens, before our easy return journey. 

Watts Gallery - Artists' Village is a unique Arts & Crafts gem nestled in the Surrey Hills. During our visit we discovered Victorian paintings and sculpture in the historic Watts Gallery, strolled to the nearby Grade-I listed Watts Chapel (photo); took in the beautiful woodlands and grounds, and found out more about the lives of founders G F and Mary Watts on a tour of the artists' home, Limnerslease, newly refurbished and open to visitors for the first time this spring.

We enjoyed a light buffet lunch in The Old Kiln and had the opportunity to discover art for sale in the Watts Contemporary exhibition in the Pottery Building. 

We also saw an exhibition of Marie Spartali Stillman paintings. Stillman was part of the first generation of British women (in the mid 19^th century) able to train as professional artists.