NEWSLETTER 46
FEBRUARY 2012
From the Editor
The Committee have been delighted with the support for our Winter Lectures, including the January meeting, re-instated after severalyears. The Newsletter contains a reminder of the two lectures to come.
For the first time (that I am aware of) we decided to hold a pre-Christmas lunch instead of an excursion. The event at the Western Club was fully subscribed and, I believe, enjoyed by everyone. The Committee are now considering requests for a return visit - though perhaps not next time!
Or summer excursion programme is also included in this Newsletter. As usual we have arranged five day excursions, which we hope members will find attractive. Please note that some catering is included in the price, as detailed in the information for individual days; otherwise we will make stops where you can buy teas, lunches, etc. Is you are vegetarian, or have a special diet, please let us know by attaching a note to the booking form. We have also tried to indicate where we have been told of any difficulties for the less mobile at a particular property, but is you have any concerns, please contact us.
For our Annual Holiday, our hotel is in Hereford City Centre, and we are planning a varied programme of visits which we hope will be enjoyable for members participating.
Two booking forms were enclosed with the February mailing, and these should be completed in accordance with the instructions given below. Please also retain the printed Newsletter for your information. If you would like clarification of any aspect of the Summer Programme, please contact either Miss jean Currie or myself.
Sheila Christie.
Renewal of Membership
For the convenience of those members who had not paid their subscriptions for the year 1st October 2011 to 30 September 2012 by 27 February, an application form for membership of the Centre was enclosed with the February mailing. In accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act which is 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 this 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 2011/2012 membership card and the application forms for the 2012 outings etc. will be sent to you on receipt of your subscription.
It was agreed at the 2012 AGM that the subscription should be increased to £10 (single) and £14 (for a couple) to take effect from October 2012.
Adelaide's March - April 2012
There are two remaining talks in the 2011-2012 series. All meetings are held on Wednesdays at Adelaide's, 209 Bath Street, Glasgow.
Afternoon Lectures are at 2.00 pm. Coffee / tea will be available after these lectures for which there will be a charge of £1.
Visitors are welcome to attend lectures but we ask for a donation of £2.
- Wednesday 14 March 2012 at 14:00
- Nicola Kalinsky, "The National Portrait Gallery".
- Wednesday 11 April 2012 at 14:00
- Ged O'Brien, "Played in Glasgow: Sir John Stirling Maxwell".
Chairman's Annual Report for the year 2009/2010
"I am glad to see so many of you here today. We may not be a very large Centre but our lectures and outings are well supported with some 30 - 50 persons coming to the lectures and outings. We have considered various forms of publicity but find the best is personal recruitment, so could all of you try to recruit a new member to our Centre. As usual the programme falls into two distinct sections, a Lecture Series in Adelaides during the winter, and the Summer Outings. For our Christmas expedition we went to Callendar Park House just as the great snow started. We were very lucky, the journey lovely in the fresh white snow and an excellent lunch.
We starter the Winter Lecture Series with a talk by Dick Balharry on wildlife and the NTS. This was followed by a talk on Hyndland by Ann Laird, and then a complete contrast, one on Vienna. Archaeological work by the NTS in the West of Scotland was the theme of February's talk - very wide ranging from Brodick and Culzean to a small dig on the shores of Loch Lomond. march saw us visiting Bhutan and various Garden Festivals. We ended that part of the year in April with a talk by Professor David Green on David Livingston and Ian Mitchell on Scotland's mountains before the mountaineers took over.
As usual we tried and I think succeeded in providing a varied programme with something to interest everybody.
Our Summer Outings were equally varied, starting in May with a visit to Arduaine Gardens with an excellent soup and sandwich lunch at Loch Melfort. In June we crossed the border to visit Naworth Castle, a stronghold of the Howard family and then Lanercost Priory mostly built from stone taken from the nearby Hadrian's Wall. July we went to Floors Castle and August to Burntisland where we visited the Museum of Communications and the church which was the first post reformation church to be built in Scotland. Members of the church provided a not to be forgotten buffet lunch. In the afternoon we went on to visit Hill of Tarvit. Our final one-day excursion was to the House of Dun where many paintings that used to be in Charlotte Square are now hung.
In September we had a vey enjoyable weekend based in Manchester where we succeeded in visiting three National Trust properties - Tatton Park, Dunham Massey and Little Morton Hall. We were foiled by the weather in trying to visit Lyme Park but had a very pleasant day in Buxton instead. On the way home we had a pleasant break at Holker Hall where we were able to get some items to feed us on our return.
Finally I wish to thank the Committee without whom there would be no Glasgow Members' Centre. Miss Moira J Young has indicated her wish to resign from secretaryship, so are there any volunteers out there who would like to take on the position? Miss Jean Sutherland kindly came onto the Committee in late Spring as Minute Secretary which has been a great help."
Helen Cargill-Thompson.
The Centre Committee 2012/2013
Following the 2012 AGM the Office Bearers and Committee are 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 McIvor, Miss J Sutherland, Mrs P Park, Dr G Shaw-Dunn, Mrs A Shirra, Mrs M Pettigrew, Miss M Waddell.
Donations to Properties 2010/11
Tenement House - £100
Hugh Miller's Cottage - £100
Storm Damage Appeal - £1,000
Archaeological Dig - £300
Arduaine Appeal - £500
St Kilda Club - £50 (in memory of past Chairman Archie Maynard).
Excursion Programme 2012
Five day visits and a five day holiday to Herefordshire have been arranged and booking forms were included in the February mailing. Please complete the forms 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 Currie.
Cheques should be made out to "Glasgow Members' Centre N.T.S."
With the exception of the Arran visit, all the day excursions will leave from North Hanover Street (close to the side entrance of Queen Street Station). Please note particularly the time of departure for each excursion, and also the day of the week. We aim to leave on time in the morning, but the return times are approximate only and cannot be guaranteed.
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 N.T.S. membership card with you on all excursions, and Art Fund or Historic Scotland card if appropriate, and of course suitable footwear and clothing. This is particularly important where we are visiting gardens.
In many cases, we now have to pay in advance, so it would be helpful if you could book for excursions at least 3 weeks before the date. We can, however, usually accept last minute bookings.
Cancellation 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 2012
Isle of Arran
Wednesday 16 May 2012, Depart Ardrossan 9:45 am, Return from Brodick 4.40 pm
Cost £25 Railway Pensioners £16 (includes lunch.)
Please note the particular arrangements for this excursion which begins at Ardrossan Harbour for the Calmac ferry at 9.45 am to Brodick.
It is suggested that you catch the 8.34 am train to Ardrossan Harbour, from Glasgow Central Station (8.45 am from Paisley Gilmour Street). Tickets to Ardrossan Harbour can be purchased at any manned station or on trains, and Railcards can be used. Alternatively you may wish to travel by other public transport or by car (parking available). We will purchase ferry tickets in advance and hope to distribute them on the train, so please let us know if you are not coming on the 8.34 am service.
When we arrive in Brodick, a local Arran coach should be waiting to take us on a tour of the north end of the island, via String Road, Blackwaterfoot and Lochranza. We will stop at the Isle of Arran Distillery for a soup and sandwich lunch (included). (The restaurant is upstairs, but if you would prefer a table downstairs, please let us know.)
The Distillery is a newcomer, having been established in the 1990's as the first (legal) one on Arran, and it is in a beautiful location at the foot of a glen. There is insufficient time for a tour, but there are displays explaining how the distillery was set up. There is also an attractive shop (expensive).
In the afternoon the coach will take us to Brodick castle. It has a long and turbulent history, and the building has been altered many times, but the imposing appearance it has today dates from 1844 when the then owner, the Duke of Hamilton, commissioned a large extension. The 12th Duke gave the island to his daughter on her marriage to the Duke of Montrose, and on her death in 1957, the Castle and policies passed to the NTS. The Trust also owns an extensive country park including Goat Fell and other mountains. Tine is limited unfortunately. The contents of the Castle are very interesting so if this is your first visit you will certainly want to do a tour. On the other hand, if it turns out to be a very good day, you may want to concentrate of the garden and grounds, where rhododendrons should be in bloom. There is a tearoom and NTS shop.
The coach will then return to take us the short distance to Brodick Pier, to board the ferry at 4.40 pm. The connecting train arrives in Glasgow at 6.48 pm.
We understand that those who hold Railways Pensioners' travel cards have free travel on the Arran ferry, so please indicate on the form if you are in this category.
We have not arranged coffee / tea on this excursion, but refreshments can be purchased on the ferry.
Dalemain and Acorn Bank Garden
Thursday 21 June 2012, Depart 8.45 am, Return 7.30 pm (approx)
Cost £35 (includes lunch and afternoon tea).
WE return to Cumbria to visit two properties situated in the vicinity of Penrith.
After a stop for tea / coffee at Moffat (not included) we will drive to Dalemain, which has been the home of the Hasell (now Hasell-McCosh) family for over 300 years. The Georgian front was built in 1744 to enclose much older buildings. There is much of interest in the house, and the garden is exceptionally fine (mainly on the level).
Lunch in the Restaurant here is included. the main course is traditional lasagne - please indicate on the form if you would prefer a vegetarian version.
In mid-afternoon we will drive the short distance to Acorn Bank, which is a National Trust property. The house is not open to the public, but the walled garden is well known for medicinal and culinary herbs and fruit trees. Our visit here include a cream tea. We expect to return direct to Glasgow.
Dumfries House and Craigdarroch
Thursday 19 July 2012, Depart 9.00 am, Return 6.30 pm (approx)
Cost £36 (Art Fund Members £28.50) (includes lunch and afternoon tea).
We have the opportunity to visit two properties in an area of the south-west which is slightly off the beaten track.
Most people are now aware of the story of the preservation of Dumfries House, near Cumnock, with all its original furniture and contents, and the last-minute intervention of Prince Charles in the project. We visited the property a few years ago but there have been some developments in the house since then, and a new cafe has been opened in the old stable block.
We will go directly to Dumfries House, where there will be time to buy coffee / tea if wished. After tours of the house, we will have a light lunch (included).
In the afternoon we will continue to the privately owned Craigdarroch, near Moniaive. Miss Anna Laurie ("Annie Laurie" of the song) married the Lair of Craigdarroch in 1710, and they commissioned the present house from William Adam in 1729. We will be conducted round the house by the owner Mrs Sykes, and this will be followed by afternoon tea (included) before we leave for the return journey.
If you are a member of the Art Fund, you have free access to Dumfries House. Pleae indicate this on the booking form and write in your number. Please bring your Art Fund card on the day.
Loretto and Newhailes
Thursday 16 August 2012, Depart 9.00 am, Return 6.30 pm (approx)
Cost £25 (includes lunch).
A detailed programme will be given later.
This should be an enjoyable day out in East Lothian. After a stop for tea / coffee (not included), we will proceed to Musselburgh. Pinkie House has been one of the boarding houses of Loretto school since 1951, but the earliest part of the building dates from the 16th century. By kind permission of the school, we will be visiting the 17th century part, in particular painted ceilings in the second floor gallery. (We understand that the staircases are 20th century). Prof Michael bath will speak to us on the coach about this feature.
In the afternoon we will visit Newhailes, also near Musselburgh. The centre block was built in 1686 by James Smith for use by his own family, but additional blocks on either side by William Adam were completed in 1760, giving the house the appearance it has today. It was acquired in the 18th century by the legal family, the Dalrymples, and its importance at the time of the Scottish Enlightenment was recognised when it became a property of the NTS in the late 1990's. Much work had to be done to stabilise the house and make it wind and water tight, but perhaps to the surprise of first-time visitors, it is presented as a worn, mellow interior rather than an immaculately restored property.
Branklyn Garden and Huntingtower
Saturday 13 October 2012, Depart 9.00 am, Return 6.30 pm (approx)
Cost £23 (Historic Scotland Members £19.40) (include afternoon tea).
Our autumn excursion is to Perthshire. Our first stop will be Baxter's, Blackford, for morning coffee / tea (not included) and time to look at the shop.
We will then drive on to Branklyn Gardens, Perth. This NTS garden is small but has much of interest all year round including herbaceous and alpine plants.
Our lunch stop will be at Dobbies, on the north side of Perth, which is situated just across the road from Huntingtower Castle which we will visit in the afternoon. This castle, once owned by the Ruthven family and now in the care of Historic Scotland, incorporates two towers, (now linked), said to be the scene of a leap by the daughter of the house who was nearly caught in her lover’s room. The painted ceilings are especially noteworthy. If you do not wish to go upstairs, we understand that there is an audio-visual display on the ground floor.
If you are a member of Historic Scotland, entrance is free - please indicate on the booking form and bring your card.
Our final stop will be at Crieff Hydro for afternoon tea (included).
Five Day Touring Holiday to Herefordshire
Friday 7th to Tuesday 11th September 2012
Cost £320 (sharing a double or twin room) or £350 for a single room.
Accommodation for four nights with dinner, bed and breakfast will be at the Green Dragon Hotel, Hereford.
Places which we plan to visit include Hereford Cathedral with Mappa Mundi, Hay-on-Wye, two N.T. properties - Croft Castle and Berrington Hall, Eastnor Castle and Weston’s Cider Centre at Much Marcle.
The price includes entrance to non-National Trust properties, lunch at Eastnor, the driver's gratuity, and insurance. Not included are lunches on other days, coffees, etc. and any personal or unforeseen expenses.
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 30th March using the booking form accompanied by a deposit of £50 per person. The deposit will be non-refundable.