NEWSLETTER 42
FEBRUARY 2010
From the Editor
We hope that you have recovered from the bad weather. It seems that there are at last some signs that spring may be on the way!
There are still four lectures at Adelaide's to come - a reminder is given below.
For our Summer Programme we have as usual arranged five day excursions. We have tried to discover some destinations which are new to our group, and hope you will find the visits enjoyable. The first outing is on a Saturday, but the others are on Thursdays, which the majority of members seem to prefer. We appreciate that some members are generally unable to come midweek, but hope that you will be able to attend at least some of the outings. Please note that some refreshments are included, except for the October excursion. We hope that the position is made clear in the information for individual visits. We have also tried to indicate where we have been told that at a property there may be difficulties for the less mobile.
For the Autumn Holiday, as previously advised, we have decided to go north this year, and we will be visiting mainly, though not exclusively, N.T.S. properties from our base at Strathpeffer.
Two booking forms were enclosed with the February mailing to members. Please complete these forms in accordance with the instructions. Please also retain the Newsletter for information.
If you would like clarification of any aspect of the Summer Programme, please contact either Miss Jean Currie or myself.
Finally, I think that the participants enjoyed the pre-Christmas outing to the Hill House and Pollok. As always we would welcome any suggestions from members for future speakers, outings or social events. Please speak to any member of the Committee.
Sheila Christie.
Renewal of Membership
For the convenience of those members who have not yet paid their subscriptions for the year 1st October 2009 - 30th September 2010, an application form for membership of the Centre has been enclosed with the February mailing. In accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act which are now in force, if you are in this category and do not renew we are required to delete your name from our records. You will not receive any further copies of the Newsletter.
If you have not yet paid your subscription and wish to remain a member of the Centre please do renew your subscription now.
We do not want to lose you.
It should be noted that if you are in this category your 2009/2010 membership card and the application forms for the 2010 outings etc will be sent to you on receipt of your subscription.
Adelaide's
There are four remaining talks.
- 10 March 2010 at 2.00 pm
- "Glasgow's Great Buildings - A personal view"
Speaker : Ranald MacInnes, Historic Scotland. - 24 March 2010 at 7.30 pm
- "Mary Queen of Scots Embroidery"
Speaker : Emeritus Professor Michael Bath, formerly of Renaissance Studies, Strathclyde University. - 14 April 2010 at 2.00 pm
- "Theatre Royal" Speaker : Graeme Smith, author.
- 28 April 2010 at 7.30 pm
- "Old Railway Stations of Glasgow"
Speaker : Fiona Sinclair, local historian.
Visitors are welcome, but we request a donation of £2.
Chairman's Annual Report for the Year 2008/2009
I am glad to see so many of you here this afternoon. We may not be a very large centre but our lectures and outings are well supported with some 30 - 50 persons at the lectures and a similar number on the outings. As usual the programme falls into two distinct sections, a lecture series in the winter months and outings in the summer. We did introduce a winter excursion in 2008 to the Hopetoun House Christmas fayre which was most enjoyable.
The lecture topics were very diverse as usual ranging over the history of the Glasgow Fire Service, the John Murray Archive in the National Library of Scotland and David Hopes on the Burns Project at Alloway. A highlight of the series was Lady Edmonstone's talk on Scottish gardens and we had several talks on different aspects of the work of the N.T.S.
Our summer visits were equally diverse. In May we visited the Ben Cruachan Hydro Electric Scheme and Crarae Gardens. In June we went south of the border to Levens Hall, always a delightful place to visit. July saw us at the Norman Church at Leuchars and Balcarres House with its splendid recycled French Monastic panelling and collection of Italian early renaissance paintings. August saw us at Thirlestane and October at Blair House with its magnificent collection of Chippendale furniture in the public rooms and Edinburgh made furniture in the bedrooms. I am glad the contents were not dispersed by public roup at Christie's.
The September weekend was based at Latimer Hall, Chesham. From there we visited Waddesdon and Claydon, Bletchley Park and Woburn, Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Derngate in Northampton and for me the highlight a visit to Boughton House, the Montague property of our President the Duke of Buccleuch where we were most royally welcomed.
Finally I wish to thank the Committee without whom there would be no Glasgow Centre and particularly Miss Mary Bell and Mr Tom McGregor who are standing down after many years service to the Centre.
Helen Cargill-Thompson.
The Centre Committee 2010/2011
Following the 2010 AGM the Office Bearers and Committee continue as undernoted.
- Chairman
- Dr H Cargill-Thompson
- Vice-Chairman
- Mr G Miller
- Secretary
- Miss M Young
- Treasurer
- Miss J Currie
- Committee
- Mr W Agnew, Mrs S Christie, Miss M E McDougall, Mr R Mclvor, Mr F Reeves, Mrs M Scullion, Dr G Shaw-Dunn, Mrs A Shirra.
Excursions Programme 2010
Five day visits and a five day holiday to Strathpeffer have been arranged and booking forms were enclosed with the February mailing. Please complete these as follows:
For day visits complete both sides of the form.
For the touring holiday, complete all three parts of the form. The forms should be sent along with:
1. the appropriate remittance for the day visits, and the £50 deposit for the holiday, and
2. a separate stamped addressed envelope for each form to Miss Jean Curie.
Cheques should be made out to "Glasgow Members' Centre N.T.S."
All the day excursions will leave from North Hanover Street (close to the side en-trance of Queen Street Station). Please note particularly the time of departure for each excursion, and also the day of the week. The excursions are all on Thursdays, with the exception of that to Monzie, which is on Saturday, 15th May. We aim to leave on time in the morning, but the return times are approximate only. In some cases refreshments are included as indicated in the details for each excursion, but otherwise we will make suitable stops where you can buy lunch, tea, coffee. etc.
We do not reserve specific seats on the coaches nor do we issue tickets. Please note the two seats immediately behind the driver are reserved for the use of the excursion leader.
Please also remember to bring your NTS membership card with you on all excursions, an Art Fund or Historic Scotland card if appropriate, and of course suitable footwear and clothing.
Cancellations from Day Visits or Touring Holiday
If you have to cancel, please notify Miss Currie as soon as possible. We cannot offer refunds in respect of day visits, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
The £50 deposit for the touring holiday will also not be refunded, but the balance of the cost should be covered by insurance.
Non-Members are very welcome to come on the excursions. If you wish to bring a friend who is not a member of the Centre, please add £2 to your remittance as a fee for non-members. (i.e. £2 for each individual excursion as appropriate). As last year, an additional charge of £10 will be applicable to non-members for the touring holiday.
Excursions 2010
1. Monzie Castle and Dunkeld
Saturday 15 May 2010, Depart 08:45, Return 19:00 (approx).
Cost £20.
The cost includes morning coffee/tea at Monzie.
Our first excursion of the season is to Perthshire. In the morning we will visit Monzie, near Crieff.
Privately owned, it was built in 1791, but after a fire in 1908 it was rebuilt and furnished by Sir Robert Lorimer. Coffee will be served here (included).
We will then drive to Dunkled where there will be time for lunch (not included) and some exploration of the town.
We will make a further stop in the vicinity of Perth on the return to Glasgow.
2. Brantwood
Thursday 10th June 2010, Depart 08:30, Return 19:30 (approx).
Cost £25 or £20 for Art Fund Members.
We have found a property in Cumbria which is new to us!
Brantwood is claimed to the most beautifully situated house in the Lake District. it enjoys fine lake and mountain views over Coniston Water, and has many literary and artistic associations.
From 1872 to 1900 it was the home of John Ruskin.
Please note that this will be a long day out, and to save time we suggest that you bring a packed lunch. (If you have no time to make something at home, you can always buy sandwiches at Queen Street Station, or at our morning coffee stop, Moffat!)
Afternoon tea will be served at the Brantwood Restaurant (included). We will have a brief stop on the return journey to Glasgow.
We understand that the majority of the house is fully accessible to disabled visitors, but some parts of the gardens are on steep ground.
Entrance to Brantwood is free for Art Fund Members - please indicate on the booking form if you are a member. You must bring your Art Fund card on the day.
3. Scottish Mining Museum and Arniston House
Thursday 1st July 2010, Depart 09:00 Return 18:30 (approx)
Cost £30
The cost includes lunch and afternoon tea.
This will be a visit to two quite diverse places near Edinburgh.
We will drive direct to the Scottish Mining Museum, at Gorebridge, where morning coffee may be obtained (not included). There are various exhibitions to be seen, and later a soup and sandwich lunch will be served (included in the price).
We will then drive the short distance to Arniston House, owned by Mrs A Dundas-Bekker. This is a William Adam mansion, started in 1726, and contains much fine plasterwork, portraiture and period furniture and ceramics. We will be served afternoon tea (included) and return direct to Glasgow.
We understand that there are some steps at the front of the house, but the majority of the rooms shown are on the level.
4. Dunfermline and Aberdour
Thursday 12th August 2010, Depart 09:00, Return 18:30 (approx)
Cost £30 or £24 for Historic Scotland members
The cost includes morning coffee and lunch.
We return to Fife to visit some different properties.
After morning coffee (included) in the Garvock House Hotel, we will proceed to the centre of Dumfermline, where we will visit the Palace and Monastery and if time permits, the Abbey. It has been suggested that binoculars might be useful on this visit!
We will then drive to Aberdour, where we will have a light lunch (also included) at the Woodside Hotel, itself a historic building. Our afternoon visit will be to Aberdour Castle, dating from the 14th and extended in the 16th and 17th centuries. It also has a delightful walled garden and dovecote. Afternoon tea will be available in the small tearoom, but is not included.
As Aberdour is a partially ruined castle, there may be some access difficulties.
The properties to be visited are in the Care of Historic Scotland, and therefore members have free admittance. Please indicate on the booking form if you are a member, and please bring your card on the day.
5. Dawyck and Broughton
Thursday 7th October 2010, Depart 09:00, Return 18:30 (approx)
Cost £20
(no refreshments included)
Our autumn visit is to an area of the Borders which may be "off the beaten track" to many members.
After a coffee stop at Dobbie's Garden Centre, near Edinburgh, we will continue to Dawyck Stobo which is one of the gardens owned by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh. There is much of interest here and lunch (not included) can be obtained in the cafe, part of the new "state of the art" visitor centre.
We will then drive the short distance to Broughton where we hope to visit the John Buchan Centre, which has many mementoes of the author and statesman, and of his sister, O Douglas.
We will have a further stop at Biggar before returning to Glasgow.
Five day Touring Holiday based in Strathpeffer
Friday 10th - Tuesday 14th September 2010
Cost £339 (sharing a double or twin room) or £399 (single room)
Accommodation for four nights will be at the Ben Wyvis Hotel, Strathpeffer, on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
The northward journey will be via Glencoe and the Great Glen, and the return journey via Brodie Castle and Grantown on Spey. On the other days we plan to visit Dornoch and Dunrobin Castle, Corrieshalloch Gorge and Inverewe garden, Hugh Miller's Cottage, Cromarty and Culloden.
The price includes entrance to Dunrobin Castle, the driver's gratuity, light lunch at Culloden and some incidentals. You must have insurance for this holiday. If you have your own annual insurance which would cover this trip, please state the name of the Insurance Company and Policy Number on the booking form. If you do not have your own cover, please state and add £17 to the deposit.
We have obtained a large number of single rooms. As demand for these is always high and can exceed our allocation it is recommended that you book early if you want a single room. If you wish to bring a friend who is not a member of the Centre there will be a supplement of £10 payable by the non-member. Applications will be dealt with in order of receipt. These should be submitted by 23rd March using the booking form accompanied by a deposit of £50 per person. The deposit will be non-refundable.