THE NORTH HAMPSHIRE NATIONAL TRUST CENTRE

Founded in 1985 to promote and prosper the work of the National Trust

Work starts on The Vyne’s £5 million roof restoration project

£1.50 (non-members) Issue 63 – Autumn 2016

OUR WEBSITE:

www.northhampshirentc.moonfruit.com

An INVITATION from Annis Mendham, our Publicity Officer...

. With this Newsletter you will find a flyer for our very exciting talk on

Wednesday 16th November,

when you can be in the first group to hear PAUL COOK, the Project

Director for Clandon. He will update us on the plans for the future of

Clandon House following its destruction by fire. This is such a privilege for

us.

It will be an Open meeting and we encourage you to bring along any friends

that you feel could be interested in joining us at NHNTC. Recruitment of

new members is an ever present need for our viability.

You have responded so well to our Coffee Morning requests in the past and

I know you will do the same for this talk. Guests will be charged at the

Members’ rate on this occasion and, of course, there will also be tea and a

selection of lovely cakes

Please note down the date in your diary and do your utmost to bring a

friend along. Norma, our Membership Secretary, will be happy to accept

new members on the day.

RISING FROM ITS ASHES

CLANDON

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CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

It is quite a relief to move away from the disagreement and dissention generated by the lead up to and outcome of the fairly recent Referendum. However, as in most of the last few years, our top priorities, apart from producing an interesting programme, continue to be the need to recruit new members and Events Committee members. In March, led by Annis Mendham, our Publicity Officer, who was greatly assisted by all Committee members and many of you, we had a very successful Snowdrop Walk. Due to adverse weather conditions this turned into a Snowdrop Talk. As with our Coffee and Cake events in our room in the Brewhouse at The Vyne in the two previous years it was a very happy occasion and we gained over 20 new members. In a similar vein, on Wednesday November 16th, we have a talk on the plans for the regeneration of Clandon. Our speaker, Paul Cook, was General Manager at Mottisfont and is now the new NT Project Director of Clandon. He will be relaying to us the programme and plans that The National Trust has for the regeneration of this prestigious Surrey property. We are using the event to invite friends who are perhaps members of the NT and are interested in our national heritage but have not yet joined the NHNTC to come along to hear the details and to learn more about what we do and even, perhaps, to ‘sign on the dotted line’.

In January I wrote to you to tell you of the passing of Muriel Hoadley. Sadly I have to let you know that we have just lost another of our admirable, very hard working Committee members. Kate Blackman, who managed the food collection and distribution at our various events for years, as well as booking and being the main contact person for our local halls, died in July. Kate was involved with many other local groups and was ‘the person to turn to’ for countless family and friends here and abroad, over the years. We shall all miss her sensible, reliable and stoic presence for some time to come, as will her family and friends. We send them our sincere condolences and support in their loss. A memoir of her life follows this letter.

On May 31st, the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, we had a superb talk, with acting assistants, from our Vice Chairman, Jonathan Hughes. Each of us who was privileged to be in Cliddesden Memorial Hall that evening was taken back to one of the more interesting history lessons of our youth. After our August lunch, we had another talk – this time on Bee-Keeping, introduced by another of our committee members, Tony Holbeche. This too was extremely well supported and appreciated by many of our members. We received an education on the threats that bees face world-wide and an introduction into what is being done to improve the viability of the species. All is not lost as Tony and our main speaker, Simon Cavill, explained when answering questions. They also showed examples of bee related products.

As you can see from this Newsletter we are experimenting with a new holiday system for next May. Instead of arranging everything ourselves we are utilising the expertise of

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the preferred National Trust holiday partner – Just Go. The guided tour to (mainly Northern) Ireland looks really exciting but it can only work with your support. A minimum of thirty people is required to make this enterprise successful. I look forward to many of you joining Annis and me on this adventure. As you can see from the Newsletter, an indication of your real interest is required before Christmas.

I wish you each well for the summer and autumn and look forward to seeing many of you at our talks and on our days out.

Paddy Mendham

IN MEMORY OF

KATE BLACKMAN MBE

Kate Blackman was a staunch and long standing life member of the National Trust from the 1980s. Both she and her late husband, Ted, supported the Trust in various ways over the 49 years they lived together in Hook, Hampshire. They met as members of the Barnet YHA in the late 1950s, spending much of their free time walking and camping in almost every area of the UK. They sailed on the Norfolk Broads and at Bradwell. Both quiet in the expression of their own opinions, they enjoyed debate and listening to the views of others. Out of the love of outdoors grew their own strong views about right to roam, the conservation of the countryside and recycling. As motorways tore up Britain, they became more convinced of the importance of the work of the National Trust. They

enjoyed visiting as many of the Trust properties as they could, travelling in their Danbury camper van to places far and wide, volunteering for the local conservation group. Kate became involved in helping to run programmes of events in support of organizations whose beliefs matched her own, taking a responsible role in many of them. Together she and Ted regularly walked local footpaths, one for over twenty years, until their tenacity ensured the right to keep it open. In later years, Kate continued her work for the Trust by assisting and helping events to run smoothly and successfully. Her many family and friends, both inside and outside the National Trust, will greatly miss her determination, clarity of thought and positive attitude – as will the Centre.

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NOTES from the EVENTS COMMITTEE

JULIE BOWELL

Your committee is very worried about the low uptake of places on outings this summer – one of which had to be cancelled. As you all know, one of the core purposes of our group is to raise funds for the Trust. At the present rate, we shall have very little to donate when we ask for your approval of where the money should go at the next AGM. We are also meant to work for the enjoyment of members and, if you are not participating, you cannot be getting any enjoyment.

Organisers spend a great deal of time and effort arranging these outings and are beginning to feel that it might be all too much for such small return. We are heartened when those members who do join us thank us for wonderful days out and comment that those who had not booked did not know what interesting and enjoyable days they had missed.

After criticism that our surpluses were too large, we spent a considerable amount of time adjusting our costing formulae to take this into account. However, this inevitably relies on a healthy percentage of available seats being filled, and this has not happened.

We are aware of the fact that some other groups offer outings which are priced lower than ours. Many of these organisations are prohibited by their constitutions from making surpluses on their activities - I remember being given a refund of 25p by the WI! We also try to offer an inclusive package including entrance fees, food for the day and tips. Last year we found that the most popular outing was the most expensive we have ever offered and cheaper ones including NT properties are often the least popular.

Now – A PLEA to ALL MEMBERS...

In order to find out what you, the members, really want we would appreciate it if you would spend a few minutes completing the survey form included in your envelope. If you find any of the questions intrusive, please just leave them blank. Although your name would be helpful in that, if you have anything specific to say, we could contact you. Please return the form anonymously if you prefer. If it is included in an envelope with named booking forms, no record of that will be made.

The form is available via email for those not returning any booking forms this time. Please email me for the file, which should be returned to me as an email attachment when you have completed it: juliet.bowell@btinternet.com. (Please note the dot between juliet and bowell.)

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NHNTC HOLIDAY TO IRELAND 2017

JUST GO - Managed Holiday 7 days – six nights

Start Sunday 14th May 2017 Local pick-up points

Return home Saturday 20th May 2017 Organiser: Paddy Mendham

The Titanic (built in Belfast) Giant’s Causeway

An annual holiday, usually in the UK, was a regular feature of our programme until a few years ago. This was stopped because the requirements and responsibilities of group holidays became too onerous for one of our members to run with minimum outside professional advice. As discussed at our speaker meeting in February and subsequently at our AGM in April, we are planning a new form of holiday, managed by the NT recommended company, Just Go. Our first such venture will be from May 14th until May 20th 2017. We shall be going, in a luxury coach, to Ireland. If this venture is successful we shall plan other holidays in future years.

We shall be travelling round Northern Ireland, crossing into Southern Ireland for one day and returning from there. Our air-conditioned 53-seater coach has an on-board toilet. The holiday is based on 30-40 people and ten single rooms are included in the price; other rooms will be shared by two people.

Our first day will mainly be spent in travelling to Monaghan, where we shall be greeted by our tour manager.

The second day sees us driving through the Mountains of Mourne, an area of outstanding natural beauty, stopping to see some of the region’s towns en-route. Included are Newcastle, picturesque seaside gateway to the Kingdom of Mourne, Downpatrick and Hillsborough.

On day three we’ll tread the Giant’s Causeway and visit Londonderry, where we’ll be taken on a guided tour, viewing the new Peace Bridge, St Columb’s Cathedral and the beautiful Guildhall.

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Day four will take in Belfast with a guided tour and the new Titanic Experience museum.

Day five will take us across the border to Dublin, where we can have an optional City Tour or a leisurely look round the sights.

On our final day we shall catch the morning ferry back to Holyhead and continue our journey home.

Accommodation is as follows: 1 night half board at the Celtic Royal Hotel, Caernafon 4 nights half board at the 3 star Four Seasons Hotel, Monaghan 1 night half board at a 3 star hotel in Dublin All excursions and tours are included but not other meals (lunches) or drinks or any extra spending money. Travel insurance is available at £42.50 per person This itinerary and report is to ask for members to let us know - on the special form included in the Newsletter - if they are interested in this exciting new holiday adventure. We require a minimum of thirty people to reserve places before we place a booking with Just Go. We shall contact you to confirm details and ask for a deposit before Christmas.

Cost: £575/person No unspecified supplements

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FOR VALOUR – THE HISTORY OF THE VICTORIA CROSS

Cream Tea and a TALK by DAVID CALLAGHAN

2.00pm Elizabeth Hall, Hook, RG27 9HH

Wednesday October 19th 2016 Organiser: Paddy Mendham

For Valour. This talk charts the history of the Victoria

Cross. From its inception in 1856 to the present day the

only firm to supply the medal is Hancocks of London.

David Callaghan was employed here throughout his 42-year

career in the West End of London. His unique insight into

the VC provides the background for this talk, tracing the

history and stories of the heroism that resulted in the

awarding of this unique medal.

Front and back of David Holland’s VC

The VC was introduced on 29 January 1856 by Queen Victoria to honour acts of

valour during the Crimean War.

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour ‘in

the face of the enemy’ to members of the armed forces of various

Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. It is first in the

order of wear in the United Kingdom honours system and takes precedence over all

other orders, decorations, and medals, including the Order of the Garter. It may be

awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians under military

command. The VC is usually presented to the recipient or to their next of kin by the

British Monarch at an investiture held at Buckingham Palace.

David Callaghan joined the West End firm of jewellers, Hancocks, as an apprentice

in 1955 and continued his career there until his retirement in 1997. Appointed to the

Board of Directors in 1964, he eventually became the senior Director.

Hancocks, uniquely, are the sole suppliers of the Victoria Cross since the inception

of the award in 1856 and David has made a particular study of this unique award for

over 40 years.

Talk and Cream Tea [TICKETED event]

Cost: Members £5.00 Non-members £5.50

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CLANDON – RISING FROM ITS ASHES

A TALK by PAUL COOK (Project Director for Clandon)

2.00pm Elizabeth Hall, Hook, RG27 9HH

Wednesday 16th November 2016 Organiser: Paddy Mendham

Clandon Park, the National Trust property that burned down in April 2015, was a

Grade I-listed home, built in 1720. It was 95 per cent destroyed by the fire, with all but 400 of the priceless items within it destroyed. Following much discussion within the Trust, Dame Helen Ghosh, Director General, announced last year that the building will be restored and architects were invited to submit plans to bring the stately home back to life.

This ‘mission’, that the charity has called its ‘biggest conservation project in a generation’, is being managed by Paul Cook, who was General Manager of Mottisfont for several years, until promoted to this role.

Today we are privileged to be given an insight into the way the National Trust will be developing this national treasure, together with estimated time scales for different stages of the work. Paul has also offered to answer questions on the project – where he can.

Members are invited to bring friends interested in the NHNTC to join them for this historic talk – and, maybe, join the Centre.

Cost on door (incl. refreshments): Members £3.50

Non-members also £3.50

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CHRISTMAS LUNCH IN WINCHESTER followed by CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE with readings

Sunday 11th December 2016 Organiser: Trish Brooker

Emergency mobile: 07736 071041

Following the great success enjoyed by NHNTC members at our Christmas events in recent years we are having a similar celebration this year, but with a difference; this time our coach will be taking us to Winchester Cathedral. A three course lunch, with coffee, is being served to us in the Mercure Wessex Hotel, from which we shall then walk the short distance across to the Christmas Market Shoppers’ Service in the Cathedral. At this service you

will be able to relax, listen to Christmas readings and sing carols. This is one of the special occasions (approximately an hour) put on at this time each year to encourage people to come into the Cathedral. We should have time to visit the Christmas Market next door or even to watch the skaters on the ice rink, before or after the service. Of course, you might even want to join in, but be warned, you do need to book that in advance! Alternatively, some may just like to relax in the hotel lounge before walking across to the Cathedral. This will be an opportunity to get together at the beginning of the festive season and share a delightful meal together. The Wessex Hotel also hosts the local National Trust group for Christmas lunch and looks forward to welcoming us as with this menu:

Vegetable Soup with Croutons

Duck & Chicken Liver Parfait with Chutney & Toasted Sourdough

Twice Baked Cheese Soufflé with Garnish

Braised Beef with Potato Terrine, Shallots & Spinach

Turkey, Trimmings, Roast Potatoes & Vegetables

Wild Mushroom, Brie & Walnut Wellington & Roast Vegetables

Christmas Pudding & Brandy Sauce

Chocolate & Salted Caramel Mousse

Orange & Cointreau Cheesecake

Depart: 10.30 Hartley Wintney 10.45 Hook 11.00 Basingstoke Return: 17.00 Leave Winchester

Cost: £35.00 Members £37.00 Non-members Refreshments: Lunch included (choose lunch menu on booking form) Accessibility: 5 minutes flat each way

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DOMESTIC SCULPTURES and COMMERCIAL ARTWORKS

A TALK by RICHARD FARRINGTON

2.00pm Elizabeth Hall, Hook, RG27 9HH

Wednesday 18th January 2017 Organiser: Paddy Mendham

Altonian Richard Farrington began

creating public artworks and sculptures

in his Hampshire workshop in 1990.

Forged and welded steel, cast bronze

and green oak have been used to create

unique artworks that have been

commissioned by property developers,

local authorities, charitable trusts and

private individuals.

The artworks can be seen in gardens, buildings, cycle paths and schools; on a cliff top, a lake, a roundabout a plaza, parks and nature reserves.

Richard’s sculptures can be viewed across the UK, from Hampshire to Yorkshire, down to the New Forest and all points west.

Come to see the range of his sculptures.

Cost on door (including refreshments): Members £3.50

Non-members £4.00

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CANTERING THROUGH A FUNNY LIFE FROM BETJEMAN to JAMES HERRIOT

A TALK by SUSAN HOWE

2.00pm Elizabeth Hall, Hook, RG27 9HH

Wednesday 15th February 2017 Organiser: Paddy Mendham

Susie Howe was due to give this talk to us early in 2016 but unfortunately she was taken ill just before the due date. Luckily we were able to reschedule her presentation In an exciting and varied life Susan Howe has worked with and for many interesting characters.

In her talk she will recount a light hearted and amusing look at working for John Betjeman and knowing Siegfried, James Herriot’s eccentric and colourful partner, played by Robert Hardy in the TV series. A number of other well-known actors, writers and people from the world of music, will flit across the stage of her talk. Susan will also

include a wry account of being a NT tenant.

NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION

This is the afternoon when Newsletters for the forthcoming season are distributed and we hope that those who are present will collect them for those members who live near them. It is much appreciated if this can be done, as it saves the Centre significant postage costs. Those who undertake to deliver Newsletters are asked to do so within a week of the meeting so that members may send in their booking forms for outings promptly.

Cost on door (incl. refreshments): Members £3.50

Non-members £4.00

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WOMEN OF THE RAJ

A TALK by BRIAN FREELAND

2.00pm Elizabeth Hall, Hook, RG27 9HH

Wednesday 22nd March 2017 Organiser: Paddy Mendham

Brian Freeland, who spoke to us a couple of years ago about George Bernard Shaw, has lived in and about the theatre for most of his working life. Apart from creating stage performances and theatre scripts, by popular request he staged a piece about the British women in India during the second half of the Raj. Called Letters From The Hen House it was compiled mainly from letters, diaries and memoirs of the period. Six excellent roles for the ladies and only four men! Elements from that script together with some of the original research material form the basis of this talk

Women Of The Raj.

When the Colonial Administrators arrived to

take over from the East India Company and the

Army they were often accompanied by their

wives: wives who spoke only English, who

mixed only with other wives, and who could

not even communicate with their household

staff. Wives who made great demands on their

husbands. As one Indian wrote later “I don’t

think they realised what a menace they were. If the

memsahibs had stayed in Britain there might never have

been a Mutiny”.

This is a talk to be enjoyed, as well as recalling the atmosphere of the period.

Cost on door (including refreshments): Members £3.50

Non-members £4.00

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ICE & THE SUPREME COURT, LONDON

Friday 31st March 2017 Organiser: Julie Bowell

Emergency mobile: 07856 234567

ICE stands for The Institution of Civil Engineers, which does not sound exactly fascinating in terms of NT visits. Your organiser found it to be the opposite. The building was constructed in Edwardian times and has some very grand reception and lecture spaces. It is an early example of steel frame technology and has been described as of ‘monumental neo-classical’ design. There is an art collection including works by artists such as Millais. The history of this professional body is also of interest, as former members include distinguished figures such as Thomas Telford and Brunel. This is a working building, so some rooms may be in use. Ceiling at ICE 1 Great George St.

We begin with coffee, which will be followed by a guided tour with the archivist and time to look at documents of historical interest. A buffet lunch is arranged at The Two Chairmen pub (5 minutes’ walk). Rebuilt in 1756, it is named after the men who carried sedan chairs and waited there for fares at the end of local cockfights.

The afternoon is spent at The Supreme Court (5 minutes’ walk). This is also a building of great architectural interest (Grade II*) and dates from 1913, when it was used as The Middlesex Guildhall. It was extensively refurbished when the Supreme Court was established at the beginning of this century. We shall have a guided tour of the courtrooms and see the stained glass and other artworks. The guide should also explain the role of the Court in the justice system.

We have tea and cake before boarding the coach homeward. There is airport style security for entry to The Supreme Court. Those who book will be sent details.

Depart: 07.45 Basingstoke 08.00 Hook 08.15 Hartley Wintney Return: 16.30 Leave London

Cost: £50.00 Members £52.00 Non-members Refreshments: Coffee, lunch & tea included Accessibility Lifts available for visits. Stairs only at lunch. 10 mins total flat walking.

AIDE MEMOIRE FOR DIARIES

Page:

2016 EVENT Bold = Outing Italic = All Talks in Elizabeth Hall, Hook at 2.00pm

6 Wed 19th Oct

For Valour (VC) - David Callaghan. Elizabeth Hall, Hook (and Cream Tea - [TICKETED])

7 Wed 16th Nov

Clandon reconstruction project – OPEN MEETING PLEASE BRING FRIENDS. Elizabeth Hall, Hook

8 Fri 11th Dec

Christmas concert at Winchester Cathedral [and Christmas lunch at Wessex Hotel]

2017

9 Wed 18th Jan

Sculpture – Richard Farringdon

10 Wed 15th Feb

Cantering through a funny life – Susan Howe [NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION]

11 Wed 22nd Mar

Women of the Raj – Brian Freeland

12 Fri 31st Mar

Institute of Civil Engineers and Supreme Court

ADVANCE NOTICE

Sat 22nd

Apr

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT 2.00pm Followed by talk by (provisionally) Nicola Andrews (Director on NT Finance & property planning)

4/5

Sun to

Sat

14th 20th May

Proposed visit to Northern Ireland and Dublin May 2017

COMPETITION...

There will be a free talk entry ticket for each of the first three Centre members to email the Vice-Chairman (jonathanmhughes@gmail.com) with the name of the city

where these gargoyles can be found.