Isle of WightNational Trust Association

Programme of Meetings & EventsMarch to October 2017

Isle of Wight Isle of Wight National Trust AssociationNational Trust AssociationSPRING/SUMMER PROGRAMMESPRING/SUMMER PROGRAMME

Wednesday 15th March at 2.15pm at the Riverside CentreTalk by Andrew Wilson-Jenner on “Costumes in the Theatre”Andrew's talk will look at the wide variety of costumes in the theatre and, for the brave, allow us to try some on!

His talk will allow us to share in his many hilarious times in the theatre.

Tuesday 4th April at 7pm at the Riverside CentreSPRING QUIZ – A FUN QUIZ FOR ALL – NOT TOO SERIOUS!Angela & Brian Bond's fun quiz will, once again, be testing our brains on all sorts of subjects (but not the soaps or current pop music!) …. there are even some prizes to be won! EARLY BOOKING IS REQUIRED – see Yellow Booking Pages

Wednesday 19th April at 7pm at the Riverside CentreTalk by John Gulliver on “The Lifeboats of Bembridge”John will be talking about the origins of the Lifeboat Service and, in particular about the history of the lifeboats of Bembridge right through to the present day high-tech Tamar Class lifeboat.

Thursday 18th May 2017 at 1pm to 4pm (approx)WIGHT MILITARY & HERITAGE MUSEUMHistoric military and other exhibits abound at The Wight Military and Heritage Museum in Northwood, situated on the main Cowes to Newport road.

The museum holds an interesting mix of tanks, artefacts, other vehicles, small arms and a range of uniforms from the 1940’s to the present day. Learn about life in wartime and about those who contributed so much to the war effort as you investigate the replica street scene and other exhibits.

The visit includes a guided tour followed by a cream tea (lunch can be obtained on site before the visit)

Whilst on the visit, you may book for a tank ride (£8) or rifle shooting (£3/£5)

Cost: £6.00 (Including Guided Tour and Cream Tea) – BOOKING REQUIRED

Wednesday 28th June 2017 from 2pm to 4pm at Kings Manor Farm, Freshwater (Location Map in Yellow Booking Pages)ANNUAL STRAWBERRY TEAWe have kindly been invited by Jamie and Susie Sheldon to have our Strawberry Tea at Kings Manor Farm.

This beautiful property is situated on the River Yar estuary and the family has preserved the estuary in its natural state for over 40 years creating a wildlife sanctuary on the tidal area. This area attracts a vast range of ducks, waders and lapwings so bring your binoculars to enjoy the spectacle whilst having your Strawberry Tea. There will also be an opportunity to view the Ferguson Museum (hence the photograph on the cover of this Newsletter).

Please bring your chairs and it has been requested that no dogs be brought to avoid disturbing the birdlife.Cost £7.00 – BOOKING REQUIRED

Tuesday 18th July 2017 – 1pm to 4.30pm Visit to Calbourne Mill

Milling Demonstration, Museum Visit and Cream TeaThis is one of the oldest working water mills in the United Kingdom and there is evidence of a mill on this site since the Doomsday Book of 1086.

This is also the only working mill on the Isle of Wight and we have organised a milling demonstration and a look around the museum followed by a cream tea (you can obtain lunch at the café on site)

Besides enjoying the grounds, you may, if you wish, have a go at their crazy golf (£2 extra)

Cost £10.00 (including milling demonstration and cream tea) – BOOKING REQUIRED

Thursday 24th August 2017 – 10.30am at Newtown National Nature ReserveDISCOVERING NEWTOWN – a return of this popular visit to explore more of the Reserve with the NT’s experts, Robin Lang & Helen Parry and her team

Following last year's very successful visit, members have asked if there could be a further visit to see more of the Reserve and its flora, fauna and salt industry.

There will also be an opportunity to explore the history and layout of the original Newtown from its founding charter in 1256 through the effect of attacks by the

French and its subsequent decline.

There are no refreshment facilities at Newtown so please bring your own picnic (and a chair if you need it)

Cost £4.00 – BOOKING REQUIRED (Free parking in Visitor Centre car park with current NT windscreen sticker)

Day Trips to Mainland

Tuesday 20th June – Day Trip – VISIT TO ROMSEY ABBEY & MOTTISFONT (NT) departing from Yarmouth on the 10.05am Ferry returning 6pm from Lymington. Cost £31.50 per person including coach, ferry and gratuities.

Our first stop will be in Romsey, with its superb 12th Century Abbey and its connections with Lord Palmerston, Florence Nightingale and Lord Mountbatten of Burma.Besides the Abbey, this charming town has a Heritage Centre and also lots of interesting shops.

From Romsey, we will move on to the NT's Mottisfont famed for its National Collection of Old Fashioned Roses and June should be a good time to see and enjoy them.The house itself is the remains of a former Augustinian Priory and has an excellent gallery which will be exhibiting iconic images of the British landscape, commissioned by Shell for their highly

successful advertising campaigns from the 1920s to the 1950s. On show will be more than 30 posters and original paintings by artists such as Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland, Edward McKnight Kauffer and Vanessa Bell, At Mottisfont there are two cafés which serve lunches and teas.

Tuesday 12th September – Day Trip – VISIT TO SALISBURY and MOMPESSON HOUSE (NT) departing on the 9.45am Hovercraft from Ryde (please arrive by 9.15am) and returning on the 5.45pm from Southsea. COST £31.50 incl Hovercraft fare, coach, and gratuities.

Our coach will take us to Salisbury where we will have the opportunity to visit the magnificent 13th

Century Gothic Cathedral with Britain’s tallest spire. Inside the cathedral admire the beautiful stained glass windows, the oldest working medieval clock in the world and the best preserved original Magna Carta (AD 1215). You can also have coffee or a light lunch in the Cathedral's glass roofed Refectory Restaurant. Besides the Cathedral, Salisbury is full of character historical buildings and interesting shops.

After some time admiring the Cathedral and shops, we will all meet at Mompesson House which is located near to the Cathedral in Cathedral Close.Mompesson House is a beautiful, elegant and spacious 18th Century house which includes magnificent plasterwork a fine oak staircase, and good quality period furniture.Outside is a delightful walled

garden which includes herbaceous borders and a tea room serving locally baked cakes and light lunches.There is also a small National Trust Shop 60 yards away.