OUTINGS JANUARY 2017

OUTINGS AND EVENTS NEWS – JANUARY 2017
Salisbury & District U3A – www.u3a-salisbury.org.uk

THE VYNE and SANDHAM MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Thursday 11th May 2017 – Booking Now

The Vyne was built between 1500 and 1520 for Lord Chamberlain William Sandys, one of Henry VIII’s most trusted courtiers. It is an E-plan house of diapered red brick with stone dressings bought in 1653 by a successful barrister, Chaloner Chute, who commissioned alterations including a classical portico by Inigo Jones' pupil John Webb to the north front – one of the earliest for an English country house. Further changes were carried out from 1770 by Chaloner’s great-grandson John, including a remarkably dramatic classical Palladian staircase. There is a Tudor chapel with important contemporary stained glass and encaustic tiles (1512) from the Antwerp workshop of Guido de Savino and fine linenfold panelling in the Oak Gallery, carved with badges and devices. There is a Gothick ante-chapel containing the tomb of Speaker Chute and a suite of drawing rooms with Rococo ceilings and Italian damask hangings. The Vyne holds an inscribed Roman ring as well as a lead tablet that speaks of a curse on the one who stole it. JRR Tolkien was asked to comment on it as an expert on Anglo-Saxon history, including its connection to a mine fabled to have been dug by dwarves, and a few days after began writing Lord of the Rings. The grounds contain large woodland and a wetlands nesting site which is populated by swans and common redshanks. There are woodland, wetland and parkland walking trails.

Sandham Memorial Chapel is in the village of Burghclere. It is a grade I 1920s decorated chapel, designed by Lionel Godfrey Pearson and built to accommodate a series of paintings by the English artist Stanley Spencer. It was commissioned by Mary and Louis Behrend as a memorial to Mary's brother, Lieutenant Henry Willoughby Sandham who died at the end of the First World War. The chapel is surrounded by lawns and orchards, with views of Watership Down. Spencer's series of 17 paintings was inspired by his own experiences during the First World War, in which he served as an orderly with the Royal Army Medical Corps, first at Beaufort War Hospital in Bristol, and then in Macedonia, where he was subsequently transferred to the infantry. Influenced by Giotto’s Arena Chapel murals in Padua, he wanted to paint murals too, but the environmental conditions were not appropriate. The subsequent paintings were commissioned in 1923, with Spencer moving to Burghclere in 1926 to work in-situ. The series was completed in 1932. It is dominated by the Resurrection scene behind the altar, in which dozens of British soldiers lay the white wooden crosses that marked their graves at the feet of a distant Christ. The series chronicles Spencer's everyday experiences of the war rather than any scenes of action. When the art historian RH Wilenski saw the completed sequence, he wrote of his sense "that every one of the thousand memories recorded had been driven into the artist's consciousness like a sharp-pointed nail". The Chapel is consecrated 'The Oratory of All souls' and only became officially recognised by its colloquial name Sandham Memorial Chapel following the National Trust's takeover of the property. Spencer would refer to it as his 'Holy-Box', while the architect and patrons would privately refer to it as Spencer's 'God-Box'. Meanwhile, John and Mary Behrend's children pejoratively called it the 'biscuit factory' in response to its municipal features.

Cost: £11.50 to include coach and driver gratuity. National trust Members enter both properties free. Non National Trust Members will need to pay entrance at each property. Coach Pick Ups: 8am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 8:15am at Salisbury Millstream Car Park OR 8:30am at London Road Park and Ride OR 9am at Amesbury at the bus stop by the car park opposite the library.

THE WALLACE COLLECTION
Thursday 13th April 2017 – Booking Now

The Wallace Collection is a national museum which displays works of art collected in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the first four Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, the son of the 4th Marquess. It was bequeathed to the British nation by Sir Richard's widow, Lady Wallace, in 1897. Displayed at Hertford House, one of the family's London properties in the nineteenth century, the Wallace Collection presents its outstanding collections in a sumptuous, but approachable manner which is an essential part of its charm.

In every category of art represented in the Wallace Collection's twenty-five galleries there are works of the highest quality and historical significance. It is probably best known for over seven hundred paintings and drawings by artists such as Titian, Rembrandt, Hals (The Laughing Cavalier) and Velázquez, and for its superb collections of 18th century French paintings, porcelain, and over five hundred pieces of unique furniture, probably the best to be found anywhere outside France. Perhaps less well known is that the Wallace Collection features one of the finest groups of over two thousand princely arms and armour from Europe and Asia and splendid medieval and Renaissance objects, including Limoges enamels, maiolica, glass and bronzes. Sculptures number over four hundred, and the miniatures more than three hundred. There are also hundreds of medieval and renaissance time period artworks as well as impressive works by goldsmiths.

From beautiful jewellery to Sèvres picnic plates, the shop features a wide selection of gifts, many especially commissioned, as well as some of the best art publications. The shop stocks guidebooks and an exciting range of publications on the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.

During our visit the courtyard restaurant will be occupied by Sky Arts filming their Artist of the Year series so you'll need to go out of the museum to purchase food or drinks. As the Collection is conveniently located in Central London just a few minutes walk from Oxford Street, Baker Street and Marylebone Village, there are lots of popular restaurants and coffee shops nearby.

Free guides and floor plans (including large print), a choice of audio guides for £4, wheelchairs, magnifying glasses, torches, and badges for free entry to the one-hour Highlights tour at 2:30pm are all available from the Public Information Desk. A What's On Today information screen is also worth a look. A cloakroom is available to check your coats, bags and umbrellas, and/or to collect a gallery stool. There is access for wheelchair users to all public areas, including the galleries, library, education studio and lecture theatre. There is a lift to all three floors. Public toilets are on the lower ground floor under the restaurant.

Cost: £14 to include coach and driver's gratuity. Entry to The Wallace Collection is free.

Coach Pickups: 7am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 7:15am at Salisbury Millstream Car Park OR 7:30am at London Road Park & Ride OR 8am at Amesbury at the bus stop by the car park opposite the library. Our Grosvenor/Taylor's coach will stop at Fleet for a comfort stop, arrive around 11am at the Wallace Collection and leave there at 4:30pm to return to Salisbury.

SWINDON STEAM RAILWAY MUSEUM and/or UP TO 70% DISCOUNT SHOPPING OUTLET and NATIONAL TRUST HEADQUARTERS and LYDIARD PARK -- Thursday 9th March 2017 – Booking Now

To add more interest to this day out, I've included Lydiard House, Walled Garden, Park and St Mary's Church for an afternoon visit as it is only 5 miles away. Your morning can be spent at either the STEAM Museum or the Discount Shopping Outlet.

Cost: £18.50 for coach and driver's gratuity and entrance to Lydiard House OR £24 to include STEAM Railway Museum Entry. Coach Pick Ups: 8:15am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 8:30am at Millstream Coach Park OR 8:45am at London Road Park and Ride. Our Grosvenor/Taylor's coach will arrive at the STEAM Museum around 10:30am, leave the Museum at 1pm and leave Lydiard at 4:30pm.

KEW GARDENS, THE ORCHID FESTIVAL and FLORA JAPONICA EXHIBITION
Thursday 16th February 2017

Still Booking – We will take TWO coaches if enough people wish to go

Cost: £25 including full access to Kew Gardens, coach and driver gratuity OR £13 to Coach only or Hilliers Garden members who get free entry to Kew.

Coach Picks Ups: 8:15am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 8:30am at Millstream Coach Park OR 8:45am at London Road Park and Ride. Our Grosvenor/Taylor's coach will make a short stop at Fleet Services en route, arrive at Kew Gardens around 11am and leave Kew Gardens at 4:30pm.

BATH
Thursday 19th January 2017 – Booking Now

Your day is your own to choose whatever you'd like to do. Some suggestions are Bath Aqua Theatre of Glass, Holburne Museum of Art, Bath Abbey, Heritage Vaults Museum, Bath Postal Museum, The Jane Austen Centre, Museum of Costume, Assembly Rooms, Victoria Art Gallery, Roman Baths & Pump Rooms, Sally Lunn's Refreshment House & Museum, Thermae Bath Spa, William Herschel Museum of Astronomy, No 1 Royal Crescent, Fudge Kitchen, Pulteney Bridge and Great Pulteney Street, The Circus, Royal Crescent, Fashion Museum, Museum of Bath at Work, Milson Street, Museum of East Asian Art, shopping or take a Hop-On-Hop-Off city bus tour.

Cost: £11 including coach and driver gratuity.

Coach Pickups: 8:45am at Michael Herbert Hall in Wilton OR 9am at Salisbury Millstream Coach Park OR 9:15am at London Road Park and Ride. Our Grosvenor/Taylor's coach will arrive in Bath around 11am and leave Bath at 4:30pm.

PAYMENTS FOR OUTINGS
From 10am At Meetings: Cash or cheques payable to SALISBURY U3A. One cheque can cover as many people as you like, separate cheques for each outing please. By Post: If you can't attend the monthly meeting or prefer to book by post, please email Margaret for a booking form. Otherwise, please post your cheque with destination, your name, home and mobile phone numbers and pick up point on the reverse to Margaret Vacha, 1 Grasmere Close, Salisbury SP2 8DG.

Cancellations/Refunds: Full refund if cancelled more than one month before the outing. Cancellations less than a month before a trip are only refunded if we have a waiting list and can resell your place.

FUTURE SALISBURY U3A OUTINGS DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – You can reserve place(s) in advance on future trips and are asked to confirm with your payment at your very earliest opportunity once costs are published if you still wish to go. Please be advised dates may unavoidably have to be changed.

8th June 2017 – Loseley House and Gardens and the Watts Gallery

13th July 2017 – Waddesdon Manor

PLEASE NOTE
Motorised scooters are often available on our outings.
If you'd like to come along and are unsure whether you could walk as far as you'd like, do let me know in good time before hand and I'll see what I can do to borrow or hire a scooter for you at our destination.

ANY QUESTIONS OR TO CANCEL YOUR PLACE OR TO CHANGE YOUR PICK-UP POINT AFTER BOOKING:

Please contact Margaret at margaretvacha@hotmail.com or 01722 335586 or 07845 870512

SOME EXTRA TRIPS AND EVENTS FROM OTHER LOCAL GROUPS

Our goal is to offer as much to as many people as possible.
If your organisation, group or society are offering a trip or study day or event and you would like to fill your coach or boost your attendance, we are very happy to advertise your outing to our members.

TIM EYLES' GENTLEMEN OF JAZZ at SALISBURY JAZZ CLUB
7pm for 8-11pm on Friday 13th January 2017

People from four counties and beyond meet every month in the Stockman's Lounge at the Salisbury Auction Centre on Netherhampton Road, Salisbury SP2 8RH to dance or just sit back and listen to live jazz and watch the dancers. Don't worry about coming alone as you are very welcome to join our U3A table. Admission is £10 payable at the door and student card holders pay £5. For more information or to be put on the club's mailing list, you can contact Wendy Lawrence on 01672 564241 or lawrence@jazz4us.fsnet.co.uk For a full list of bands appearing January to June 2017, the Club's website is www.southwilts.com/site/salisbury-jazz-club

DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY
Wednesday 25th January 2017

Sarum U3A invite you to join their outing to Dulwich Picture Gallery, the world’s first purpose built public art gallery, established more than 200 years ago because its founders believed as many people as possible should see great paintings. The Gallery houses a world-class collection of Old Master paintings in Sir John Soane’s unique building which allows us to experience exceptional art in an intimate welcoming setting.

Cost: £27 to include coach travel, driver gratuity and admission to the Gallery. A 45 minute guided tour is available at a small extra charge per person if sufficient numbers are interested. Payment is by cheque only (NO cash) made payable to Sarum U3A Visits Account. Please write Dulwich Picture Gallery on the back of your cheque and post it with your name, home phone, mobile number and email address and whether you wish a 45 minute guided tour at an additional small cost to Angela King. 13 Beverley Hills Park, Boscombe Down, Amesbury SP4 7LH.

Coach Pickup: 8:30am at London Road Park & Ride. The coach will leave the Gallery at 3:30pm and arrive in Salisbury at approximately 6pm.

WICKED at the APOLLO and CARVERY at the RUBEN HOTEL in BUCKINGHAM PALACE ROAD
8th February 2017

Doreen Till is offering another of her wonderful theatre and dinner coach trips, this time to see Wicked at the Apollo Theatre followed by dinner at the Ruben Hotel in Buckingham Palace Road. Tickets will go really quickly, so book now by ringing Doreen on 01722 501538 or email her at nobbins@ntlworld.com to confirm your place before sending your cheque for £62 payable to Mrs Doreen Till to her at Nobbins, 29 Harper Road, Salisbury SP2 7HG.

LONDON – WEST END THEATRES, NATIONAL GALLERY, VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM, HARRODS, REGENT STREET, SERPENTINE GALLERY IN HYDE PARK, NATURAL HISTORY and/or SCIENCE MUSEUMS, ROYAL ACADEMY...
Wednesday 22nd March 2017

Possibilities galore on this trip to London, especially since the 6pm return pick up at Waterloo Place at the bottom of Lower Regent Street enables you to book now to secure good seats to see a West End matinee. As well, there are so many exhibitions to choose from with coach drop offs at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Harrods, Picadilly for the Royal Academy, and Waterloo Place 5 minutes from the National Gallery. Please make your cheque for £18.50 payable to Jane Legat and send it to her (with your name, phone number and email printed clearly on the back) at Milestone Cottage, Common Road, Whiteparish, Salisbury SP5 2SU. For further information, you can call Jane on 01794 884 600 or email janelegat@btinternet.com Coach Pickup: 8am at Salisbury Rugby Club (£1 per car to park). The coach will leave Waterloo Place at the bottom of Lower Regent Street at 6pm and arrive in Salisbury at the Rugby Club Car Park at about 8:30pm.

SARUM U3A 2017 VISITS

Sarum U3A are offering outings as follow:

Blenheim Palace on Tuesday 28th March

The Living Museum, Dudley on Wednesday 26th April

Gun Wharf Quays, Portsmouth on Wednesday 24th May

An Afternoon in Poole on Thursday 8th June

A Dartmouth River Cruise on Tuesday 27th June

Kew Gardens on Thursday 20th July

Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 6th September

As a U3A member, you are welcome to go on any U3A's outings. If you are interested in any or all of these, please contact Angela King on 01980 622069 or email kingangela.6@btinternet.com or by post to Angela King, 13 Beverley Hills Park, Boscombe Down, Amesbury SP4 7LH

AND SOME OF THE PLACES WE'VE BEEN

If you go on an outing we've organised or advertised and would like to do a write up for the Outings News, we'd be thrilled to hear from you!

BEYOND CARAVAGGIO at THE NATIONAL GALLERY on 1st December

Caravaggio was a genius who changed art in the early 17th Century. Before him , paintings were formal and stylised, of idealised subjects and scenery. Caravaggio swept aside those traditions, using everyday models and thrusting the scenes into stark relief. He used one light source, throwing the figure into the light and left most of the work in darkness. These dramatic scenes were emphasised by vivid expressions on the faces of the subjects. The National Gallery exhibition showed not only Caravaggio’s theatrical chiaroscuros (dark against light) but those of the artists who were influenced by him. It was really instructive to see side by side the same themes – card sharps, John the Baptist, Cupid, etc and compare Caravaggio with Baglione, Gentileschi, Ribera, Georges de la Tour and others. Although they were competent, sometimes great, they are completely surpassed by the beauty of Caravaggio’s art. It was a wonderful exhibition, and a privilege to be able to see it. A superb trip. … Moira Dickson

Please note: A red glove left on the coach to the National Gallery has been found and will be available for collection at the Outings Desk at our next U3A members' meeting.

JOHN RUTTER CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION at the ALBERT HALL on 8th December

John Rutter is a British conductor, composer and arranger of mainly choral pieces. He has written many religious works, including a recent piece for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. There's no better way to get into the festive spirit than attending his popular Christmas Celebration, conducted and presented by John Rutter and performed by the world-famous and much loved Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and The Bach Choir. We thoroughly enjoyed this festive favourite concert and joined in the joy and jubilation of singing along to the world’s favourite carols including Hark! The herald angels sing, Once in Royal David’s city and Deck the halls as well as experiencing the orchestra perform Christmas classics and John Rutter carols. This was a magical, winter treat full of sparkle and Christmas cheer and a real thrill to hear choral pieces and orchestral works suited to the season, plus plenty of sing-a-long Christmas carols for the audience. It didn't even matter if you can't sing because there were so many people belting it out at the same time that no one noticed. And, of course, there is the lovely thought of knowing we had all sung in the Albert Hall!

… With special thanks to Ann Cameron and Alison Webb of A&A Theatre Trips for including U3A Members on this outing.

THE SUSSEX JAZZ KINGS at SALISBURY JAZZ CLUB on
9th December

Salisbury Jazz Club held its Christmas party on 9th December and, as expected, it was a great success. The near capacity audience was entertained by the popular Sussex Jazz Kings – Dave Stradwick (leader and trumpet); Bernard Stutt (clarinet); Ian Macauley (trombone); Pete Lay (drums); Kevin Scott (banjo) and Pete Clancy (bass). Our table had brought along snacks to eat as well as the hot mince pies served during the evening. There were table gifts, a large raffle, and a lucky 'door ticket' draw for free entrance to a future club session. In the second interval promoter Joe Croll presented his first 'Club Person of the Year' award to founder member Wendy Lawrence in recognition of all her hard work. … Sue Evans


WINCHESTER CHRISTMAS MARKET on Monday
12th December 2016

Winchester was a must-visit destination for all those wishing to experience a traditional Christmas. The city justly claimed to be England’s Christmas Capital and its Cathedral was at the heart of the festivities with a stunning Christmas Market and Ice Rink dominating its beautiful and historic Close only five minutes from the High Street. From its relatively modest beginnings, the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market now attracts over 350,000 visitors in its tenth year and has achieved a reputation as being amongst the very best in Europe. Within the stunning surroundings of the Cathedral’s historic Inner and Outer Close were more than 100 attractive wooden chalets brimming with goodies. The stallholders are individually selected by the Cathedral’s in-house team to ensure superior quality, uniqueness and a wide range of products. Each year there’s a rotation of stallholders and a good percentage of invited new traders to keep the market fresh. There’s a strong emphasis on British and artisan amongst the stallholders, especially Hampshire’s finest cheese and sourdough toasties as well as traditional mulled wine, bratwurst, mince pies and stollen. We were also glad to retreat to the Cathedral Refectory and ice rink café for warmth, seating and great menus!

... With special thanks to Sandra Owen, Chair of our local National Trust, for places on this trip

BATH
Thursday 19th January 2017
Cost: £11 to include coach travel and driver gratuity.
Coach Pick Ups: 8:45am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 9am at Millstream Coach Park, Salisbury OR 9:15am at London Road Park & Ride.

NAME ........................................................................................................................
LANDLINE …........................................................................
MOBILE .........................................................................................
EMAIL ….........................................................................................................
COACH PICKUP ..................................................


Please complete and return with your cheque for £11 payable to Salisbury U3A to:
Margaret Vacha, 1 Grasmere Close, Salisbury SP2 8DG

KEW GARDENS, THE ORCHID FESTIVAL and FLORA JAPONICA EXHIBITION Thursday 16th February 2017

Cost: £13 for coach and driver's gratuity (Hilliers members go free to Kew) OR £25 to include full entry to Kew Gardens

Coach Pick Ups: 8:15am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 8:30am at Millstream Coach Park, Salisbury OR 8:45am at London Road Park & Ride OR 9:15am at Amesbury bus stop by the car park opposite the library.

NAME .............................................................................................................................
LANDLINE …........................................................................
MOBILE .........................................................................................
EMAIL ….........................................................................................................
COACH PICKUP ..................................................

Please complete and return with your cheque for £13 OR £25 payable to Salisbury U3A to: Margaret Vacha, 1 Grasmere Close, Salisbury SP2 8DG _________________________________________________________________________________________________

SWINDON STEAM RAILWAY MUSEUM and/or UP TO 70% DISCOUNT SHOPPING OUTLET plus LYDIARD HOUSE, PARK and WALLED GARDEN – Thursday 9th March 2017

Cost: £18.50 for Lydiard House, Park and Walled Garden plus coach and driver's gratuity OR £24 to include STEAM Railway Museum Entry.

Coach Pick Ups: 8:15am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 8:30am at Millstream Coach Park, Salisbury OR 8:45am at London Road Park & Ride.

NAME ..............................................................................................................................
LANDLINE …........................................................................
MOBILE .........................................................................................
EMAIL ….........................................................................................................
COACH PICKUP ..................................................

Please complete and return with your cheque for £18.50 OR £24 payable to Salisbury U3A to: Margaret Vacha, 1 Grasmere Close, Salisbury SP2 8DG
____________________________________________________________________________________

THE WALLACE COLLECTION
Thursday 13th April 2017

Cost: £14 to include coach travel and driver gratuity. Entry to The Wallace Collection is free.

Coach Pick Ups: 7am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 7:15am at Millstream Coach Park, Salisbury OR 7:30am at London Road Park & Ride OR 8am at Amesbury bus stop by the car park opposite the library.

NAME ...................................................................................................................................
LANDLINE …........................................................................
MOBILE .........................................................................................
EMAIL ….........................................................................................................
COACH PICKUP ..................................................

Please complete and return with your cheque for £14 payable to Salisbury U3A to: Margaret Vacha, 1 Grasmere Close, Salisbury SP2 8DG ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE VYNE and SANDHAM MEMORIAL CHAPEL Thursday 11th May 2017

Cost: £ 11.50 to include coach and driver's gratuity. National Trust members enter both properties free with a valid membership card. Non National Trust members will need to pay entrance fees at each property.

Coach Pick Ups: 8am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 8:15am at Millstream Coach Park, Salisbury OR 8:30am at London Road Park & Ride OR 9am at Amesbury bus stop by the car park opposite the library.

NAME ......................................................................................................................................... LANDLINE …........................................................................
MOBILE .........................................................................................
EMAIL ….........................................................................................................
COACH PICKUP ..................................................
Please complete and return with your cheque for £ 11.50 payable to Salisbury U3A to: Margaret Vacha, 1 Grasmere Close, Salisbury SP2 8DG

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE AND EVERY WARMEST AND BEST WISH FOR THE FUTURE