2013/2014 Programme

Di Carr has now confirmed the dates of the Christmas and June outings.

We visit Peckforton Castle for a tour and lunch on Thursday 12th December.

We visit Port Sunlight and the Lady Lever Art Gallery on Friday 27th June.

See the programme page. More details will be given nearer the dates.

Goodbye Summer - Welcome the new season

The Society's 2013/2014 season starts on Thursday 26th September with a talk by Mark Bevan titled 'White Mischief and the Vale Royal Legacy'. Mark is a regular speaker at our meetings. Members should recall his talks on the histories of Oulton Park and of Tarporley Races. In 'White Mischief', Mark will give us a tale of intrigue set in colonial Africa but with local connections.

'From the riverbanks of the Weaver to the heart of Africa, this talk follows the incredible story of Lord Delamere, of Vale Royal, possibly the last great white explorer; the man who almost single-handedly rocked the cradle of Kenya… and the impact, thousands of miles away in Cheshire, is still being felt today! And who hasn’t heard of White Mischief, the book and the film based upon murder and the indolent aristocrats of Kenya’s Happy Valley? Now, over sixty years later, Lord Delamere’s great grandson has become embroiled in a life and death drama of the 21st century'

As usual we meet in Tiverton Village Hall at 7.30 pm. All or welcome - returning members and guests.

Next year's events

Di Carr, our programme secretary, has been busy putting together the Society's programme for the new season starting in September. We now have the confirmed list of speakers and events. Please see the 2013/14 Programme page.

Visit to Dorfold Hall

On the 27th June, 29 members of the Society enjoyed a private visit to Dorfold Hall, the lovely Jacobean house on the edge of Nantwich. The house was built in 1616 and members were delighted by the wonderful plaster ceilings, particularly in the first floor Drawing Room which has a rare barrel vaulted ceiling. The house is a much loved home and has been in the ownership of the same family for 400 years. The large number of family portraits reflects this.
Members then explored the extensive gardens covering 18 acres. They enjoyed the woodland gardens, colourful herbaceous borders with a wonderful display of roses and the lily pond which was covered in water lilies.
The visit was followed by an excellent lunch at The Farmer's Arms at Ravensmoor. Altogether a very pleasant day out, enjoyed by all.
Ann Wall

Arley Hall Archives

Gill Clough has noted an article in the May Family Tree introducing a new website http://www.arleyhallarchives.co.uk/index.htm.  Arley Hall, near Warrington, is the family home of the Warburtons. This website provides detailed information of Arley Hall estate documents during 1750 - 1790. Well worth visiting.

AGM 23 May

The Society held its AGM on 23 May. Click on Minutes for details about finances, elections and the new committee.
For the record see 2012 AGM minutes for last year's minutes.
Di Carr introduced the 2013/14 programme. Details of this will soon be available on this weblog.

Dorfold Hall Visit

Please note the visit to Dorfold Hall on Thursday 27 June will commence at 10:50 at the Hall. The cost will be £7 per head, payable directly to the Hall. Dorfold Hall is a member of the Historic House Association; Friends of the HHA may be entitled to free entry.

The group will then be going to The Farmer's Arms in Ravensmoor at 13.15 for lunch. See their website http://www.farmersarmsravensmoor.co.uk/ for menu and map.

If you haven't already signed Di Carr's form, then please let her (dianarcarr@btinternet.com) know if you are coming.