THE WINDSOR AND ETON SOCIETY

Incorporating Windsor Heritage

NEWSLETTER NO 47 August 2009

NOTE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

The Executive Committee has been further enhanced by two new members. Liz Robinson, Head of The Brigidine School (which is also the ideal setting for our evening meetings) and Andrew Melville who is working with Colin Meads and others to enhance the Society's website. They are very welcome and I am also delighted to be able to announce that the new Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle, Air Marshal Ian Macfadyen, has agreed to become the Society's President at the AGM in November.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Members are reminded that the Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, 2nd November 2009 , in Upper School , Eton College at 8.00pm . Following the business meeting, we are to have a talk by Mr Tim Slaney, Head of Planning of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

OUTINGS

Tetbury & Rodmarton Manor - Thursday 4th June 2009 We left Windsor on a warm and sunny morning and after a coffee stop at the M4 services, we arrived in Tetbury at 11.20. We were then free to explore the town and most members took the opportunity to visit the Highgrove Shop before having lunch. We rejoined the coach at 1.30 and arrived at Rodmarton Manor 15 minutes later. We were greeted by the owner, Simon Biddulph, and he immediately gave us an excellent introductory talk on the Manor, building of which commenced in 1909. We then split into two groups for our guided tours. The Manor's interior was a veritable treasure-trove of wonderful Arts and Crafts furniture and furnishings and was one of the last country houses to be built and furnished in the old traditional style, when everything was done by hand with local stone, local timber and local craftsmen. Most of the furniture was made especially for the Manor, either in the Rodmarton workshops, or by Sidney and Edward Barnsley or Peter Waals. After our house tours, we were then able to enjoy the beautiful gardens, some of the original Arts & Crafts plantings still remain, followed by delicious tea and cakes. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the time spent at what was for some members a totally unknown property. 44 members took part in the visit. Future Outings 2009-2010

Eltham Palace , London - Monday 12th October 2009

When Stephen and Virginia Courtauld built their 1930s Art Deco mansion by the Great Hall of medieval Eltham Palace and Gardens, they created a masterpiece of 20th-century design. Completed in 1936, the red brick exterior of the house was built in sympathy with the older building. The interior remains a glamorous 1930s showpiece, an eclectic mix of Art Deco, ultra-smart ocean-liner style and cutting-edge Swedish design. The medieval palace presents a striking contrast to the opulent 1930s house. The Great Hall was built for Edward IV in the 1470s and Henry VIII spent much of his childhood here. The Palace's beautiful gardens feature both 20th-century and medieval elements and include a rock garden sloping down to the moat, a medieval bridge, herbaceous borders and a sunken rose garden. The booking form accompanies this Newsletter.

Gilbert White's House and The Oates Museum, Selborne, Hampshire - Tuesday 20th April 2010

Our visit will start with morning coffee and a talk on both the house and museum. Members will then be free to have lunch and to visit the House and the Oates Museum . The Reverend Gilbert White (1720-1793), author of the world-famous 'Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne' was, with the help of a friend and correspondent Daines Barrington, the founding father of modern natural history recording. The Oates Museum commemorates the Oates family and their exploits; in particular Captain Lawrence Oates who accompanied Scott to the South Pole in 1911 and his uncle Frank Oates, a remarkable Victorian explorer.

Woodstock and Rousham House & Gardens, Oxfordshire - Wednesday 9th June 2010- Our first stop will be in Woodstock , where members will have ample time for morning coffee, exploring the town and lunch. Rousham House, built in 1635 by Sir Robert Dormer, is still in the ownership of the same family. William Kent (1685-1748) added the wings and the stable block. The south front is almost as Kent left it, but for the replacement of the octagonal glazing with plain glass and the landscape park, the work of William Kent, is representative of the first phase of English landscape design and remains almost in its original form.

TALKS

Some years ago we had a meeting at Dorney Lake when a member of the Friends of Friendless Churches came to give a talk on their work. This included a visit to Boveney Church which was then in an appalling state. Some members joined this organisation. In the last issue of their Newsletter there is a report on the church's restoration; to quote, 'we now have a building of which we can once again be justly proud.' Further work has been authorised on the windows but the tower and roof are now sound. It is the intention of the Friends to leave the church open during the coming Olympics at Dorney Lake . We look forward to seeing you all during the next season when all of the evening meetings will be at The Brigidine School, the October afternoon meeting will be at Gardeners' Hall and the February one at New Lodge, Drift Road . Date for your diary Thursday September 10th At this first meeting of the 2009/10 season Elias Kupferman will speak on Bygone Windsor in Photographs.

HERITAGE AND ENVIRONMENT

Windsor Town Centre - Conservation Area Appraisal The Borough Council is in the process of carving out an appraisal document which is now being published for public comment. The purpose of the appraisal document is to describe the important features and characteristics of an area. This information will be used when planning decisions are made that affect that area

English Heritage's guidance on Conservation Area Appraisals (2006) advises that appraisals should identify unlisted buildings that make an important contribution to the character of the area. Significant Non-Listed Buildings should be noted with Descriptions and Images Members of the Heritage and Environment are in the process of commenting on the Conservation Area Appraisal - Windsor Town Centre Consultation Draft. BAA Heathrow's Draft Noise Action Plan Members are urged to respond to this plan by the 5th October 2009. Copies of the Noise Action Plan are available by telephoning 020 8745 5791.

CIVIC TRUST

Civic Trust South East Autumn Conference, Guildford - Saturday 26 September 2009 · Bookings close on Monday 7 September - early booking is recommended as space may be limited and an high level of interest has already been indicated · Registration and coffee/tea will be served from 9.15 am and the conference will start at 10.00 am sharp.

The charge of £10 per head covers lunch and refreshments on arrival and in the afternoon.

· Conference details and the booking form are to be found on the CTSE web site www.civictrustsoutheast.org.uk

The Civic Trust's website (www.civicsocieties.org.uk) enables Civic Societies to exchange news and views and to contribute to Government consultations. The Civic Trust South East (CTSE), which is the main channel for communication with and support of member societies, has a website www.civictrustsoutheast.org.uk

MEMBERSHIP

The current membership stands at 498. The following are new members whom we welcome and hope to see in the near future at our social events.

Mr Thomas Wigley

Mr Ian Flynn

Mr & Mrs C Aitken

Mr & Mrs R Horler

LOCAL NEWS

Friends of the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum The Story of Windsorian Coaches 8.00pm 20th October at Windsor Library Royal Christmases 8.00pm 26th November at Windsor Library

Members of the WES are corporate members of this organisation. For information contact Chairman Dr Brigitte Mitchell 01753 774642 Or visit www.windsormuseumappeal.org.uk

Royal British Legion Branch Meetings 7.45pm on Mondays 21st September, 19th October and 16th November at Combermere Barracks (Bring ID) For more details contact Garry Williams 01753 861911. Poppy Selling 2nd - 7th November. Volunteers are needed but especially for Saturday 7th November in the town centre. Please contact Lt.Col. (Retd) Bill Marsh 01753 833367

Local Councillors' Forum 7.00pm , 15th October Windsor Guildhall. This is an interactive meeting with Councillors and the public.

WEA The programme for WEA classes 2009-10 includes two special days at St George's School : "The Surprising History of Medieval Windsor" on Saturday 17th October 2009 and "The Detective in Fiction" on Saturday 27th February 2010 . There is also a full programme of classes and visits on a wide range of subjects. Classes begin again in September For more information contact Tony Davenport 01753 866198 e-mail - tonydavenport1@gmail.com

Other Events of Interest 9th September, 7.30pm Eton Wick Village Hall - Talk about Darvilles, the family Grocery and Tea Business 12th September, RBWM 'Tree Wardens' planting day. For information contact Chief Countryside Ranger (Trevor Smith). 01628 675517

15th September, Windsor Shopmobility Great Park Ramble. Contact 01753 622330 or 01628 543038

8th November, 10.30am Armistice Parade and Civic Service at Windsor Parish Church

11th November, 10.45am Armistice Day Commemoration at Windsor Guildhall

Meet Your Committee

Three members of your committee:-

Ex-officio and Past Chairman - Gordon Franklin C.V.O.

Gordon was born in Ealing and the family moved to Windsor in 1936. He started his career with Barclays Bank and after National Service in Air Traffic Control with the RAF in Germany he joined the Royal Household in 1956 in the Master of the Household's Department at Buckingham Palace . This involved numerous royal tour duties around the world on board the Royal Yacht Britannia. In the Royal Household he was appointed Chief Accountant of the Privy Purse in 1982; Royal Household Personnel Officer in 1988 and Serjeant-at-Arms to The Queen in1990 until his retirement in 1993. With his wife, Gill, Gordon then returned to Windsor to live. They have three daughters. He is also a Freeman of the City of London and Liveryman, Painter Stainers Company. Gordon has been a Methodist Local Preacher from 1955 and was Chairman of The Windsor and Eton Society 1998-2004.

Ex-officio and Past Chairman - Dr John Long C.V.O.

John was born in Lichfield, Staff, and studied Chemistry at Oxford where he carried out doctoral research and was the first chemist to be elected President of the Oxford Union. After further studies at Princeton University he joined ICI Paints in Slough and became Head of R&D and a Director. After being appointed Head of R&D in London in 1969 he subsequently was Director of R&D and Personnel of ICI Europe in Brussels . He returned to the UK as Director of Studies and, later, Warden of St George's House in Windsor Castle . He married an Oxford Mathematician, Elizabeth, who was Chairperson of Windsor Advisory Centre. Elizabeth died in 2004. They had a daughter and two sons and five grandchildren. John is a Methodist Lay Preacher. John and Elizabeth joined the Windsor and Eton Society in 1977 and he was Chairman of The Windsor and Eton Society 1990 - 1998.

Treasurer - John Scott

John was born in Chesham and attended the RGS, High Wycombe . He served in the Royal Artillery during his National Service. For 35 years he worked for Barclays Bank in the Windsor and West Middlesex Districts. His career culminated in two branch managerships. Following early retirement in 1989 he became Bursar to The Berkshire Young Musicians Trust for several years, helping this organisation's transition from County to Charitable status. He is now fully retired but is still Treasurer of Windsor Methodist Church, as he has been for many years, and he still examines the accounts of various small organizations. He lives with his wife, Janet, in Windsor . They have two children and four grandchildren, some of whom live in the town. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Published by The Windsor and Eton Society www.wesoc.org.uk

Edited by Anne Taylor, Canon Cottage, Bishop's Farm Close, Oakley Green, Windsor SL4 5UN 01753 866873

WINDSOR AND ETON SOCIETY This outing is for a maximum of 45 Windsor & Eton Society Members

ELTHAM PALACE & GARDENS, LONDON Monday 12 October 2009

When millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld built their 1930s Art Deco mansion by the Great Hall of medieval Eltham Palace and Gardens, they created a masterpiece of 20th-century design. Completed in 1936, the red brick exterior of the house was built in sympathy with the older building. The interior remains a glamorous 1930s showpiece, an eclectic mix of Art Deco, ultra-smart ocean-liner style and cutting-edge Swedish design. The dining room is a tour de force, with pink leather upholstered chairs, bird's-eye maple veneered walls, a shimmering aluminium-leaf ceiling, and black-and-silver doors portraying animals and birds. The medieval palace presents a striking contrast to the opulent 1930s house, the Great Hall was built for Edward IV in the 1470s, and Henry VIII spent much of his childhood here. The Palace's beautiful gardens feature both 20th- century and medieval elements and include a rock garden sloping down to the moat, a medieval bridge, herbaceous borders and a sunken rose garden.

The cost will be £22.00 and includes the cost of the coach and entrance to Eltham Palace and Gardens. The coach will leave Windsor at the corner of Arthur Road & Alma Road at 09.15

Please note that refunds will only be given if replacements can be found

WINDSOR & ETON SOCIETY NOTICE OF POLICY SHOULD A MEMBER BE TAKEN UNWELL OR HAVE AN ACCIDENT DURING THE COURSE OF AN OUTING

The Outings Secretary conducting a party on behalf of the Society (or the Deputy for the day), has delegated authority from the Executive Committee to summon emergency services if judged necessary and to insist that any participant who experiences ill health, an accident or such misfortune leave the coach (if necessary or appropriate with a companion) and make their own way (at their own expense) to Windsor via the Emergency Services or otherwise. It is a priority that so far as appropriate, the schedule for the remainder of the participants be continued as closely as possible to the arranged programme. June 2008

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ELTHAM PALACE & GARDENS, LONDON Monday 12 October 2009

I/We would like to join this visit and enclose a cheque, payable to the Windsor & Eton Society for the sum of £. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . for . . . . . . . place(s) at £22.00 per Member Please remember to enclose a stamped addressed envelope

Member Name 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Signed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Block Capitals please) Member Name 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Block Capitals please) Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tel No : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (please include code) Please send the completed form, with your payment and a stamped addressed envelope to Miss Rosemarie Wood, 32 Osborn