VISITS

Click on any underlined link for further information.

A number of visits are arranged during the year. Tickets are sold 2 months prior to the visit and in the first instance are sold to members only.

We can accommodate a maximum of 49 people on our coach for most of our visits and tickets are sold on a first come first served basis.

Booking forms and tickets are available from the Visits Desk in the hall at lecture meetings.  We ask you always to pay for your tickets by cheque.

Forthcoming visits: (Previous visits)

2012

Tuesday 20th March 2012

Royal Albert Hall and Victoria and Albert Museum

A visit behind the scenes at the Albert Hall, followed by a tour of the galleries at the V&A Museum led by City of London Walk Guides.

Previous visits

Welcome to our new Visits Team led by David Ratcliffe and Judy Stergios, assisted by Sue Hebden. As you can see they have already organised some very interesting outings for us.

Thursday, 12th May at 6.45 pm - Aldwickbury Golf Club

SUSANNA STRANDERS – A Singer’s Masterclass

Discover how a singer prepares for a recital or a role in the many sided art form that is opera, and the fundamental part played by the répétiteur. Together with one of her students, Susanna will conduct a masterclass for our benefit. Susanna took her first steps into the music world at Harpenden Musicale, going on to Exeter from where she graduated with a 1st Class Honours degree in Music. There followed postgraduate studies as an accompanist and further studies as a répétiteur at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she won a number of major prizes. After spending some time in the USA she returned as répétiteur at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, as well as working with the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. She is currently Senior Opera Coach at the Guildhall and works with a number of leading musicians both here and abroad.

It promises to be a wonderful evening with the chance to socialise over a buffet meal. Tickets on sale at the March Meeting or from Pat Styles and Wendy Burdett.

Wednesday, 13th July

Compton Verney

‘Heavenly Horse’, Han Dynasty - Bronze
Courtesy: Compton Verney

A trip to Warwickshire to see John Moore’s dream of a stately home and the six diverse collections of international significance. These include the Golden Age of Baroque Art from Naples, carved sculptures from northern Europe, British portraits and other paintings, bronzes and pottery from Neolithic times and the Ming Dynasty, original textile designs by Enid Marx and the outstanding collection of British Folk Art. Hear the history of the house and spend some free time at the special ‘Capability’ Brown exhibition, as well as walking round the grounds.

Tickets on sale at the May Meeting.

Thursday, 18th August

Walking Tour of Wheathampstead

An evening walking tour of the ancient village of Wheathampstead, including St. Helen’s church, followed by a final stop at the Swan Inn.

Tickets on sale at the May Meeting.

Tuesday, 20th September

National Memorial Arboretum and Lichfield Cathedral

‘Photo: Christopher Lockwood’

There are some 50,000 trees in the arboretum, each planted in memory of an individual. Our visit starts with the 11am Act of Remembrance followed by a tour to see some of the striking memorials and stunning sculptures. We lunch here before moving on for a guided tour of the 12th. century Lichfield Cathedral, famous for its three spires and home to the Chad Gospels. Although the building is under extensive renovation, there is still much to see. The visit ends with tea at the Cathedral.

Tickets on sale at the July Meeting.

Tuesday, 11th October

Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire.

A Grade 1 listed house with a fine collection of paintings and furniture. In the afternoon we go to Derngate, a Charles Rennie Mackintosh house and museum together with an opportunity to visit the shoe museum if we have time.

Special Interest Day

Tuesday 8th November

“The Care and Repair of Silver”

A Craftsman’s View

Paul Davies is a local, skilled silversmith who will talk about the intricacies of working with silver and give us a hands-on view of his craft. He will be happy to look at silver objects brought by the members including advice on how to care for them.

Venue: Small Public Hall, Harpenden

2011

Wednesday 14th December

“Made in St Albans”

Stephen Potter, a city of St Albans Guide, will be talking about the old industries of the town, including brewing, printing, hat making and straw plaiting. An evening meeting with mulled wine and mince pies.

Venue: 7.30pm Park Hall, Harpenden