Chairman's - Newsletter Feb 2025
Thursday 13th February 2025
Dear Members,
All is still very quiet at Osborne with their winter opening only at weekends.
However, during half term (the week beginning Saturday 16th February), Osborne will be open every day. After half term week, Osborne will be open from Wednesday to Sunday with access to the House by guided tour only. Members can book this tour free of charge.
Friends of Osborne met last week and we were thrilled to welcome five prospective new committee members. We are hoping that with this additional support we will be able to deliver many events this year.
Our first events are in April.
Wednesday 16th April. A Spring Walk by Toby
Come and join Toby, Osborne House’s Head Gardener, on his annual guided Spring Colour Tour of the flora of the Osborne Estate. Enjoy his unique knowledge of the colourful grand bedding-plant display in the terrace gardens and the host of golden daffodils on the grass slopes below. Stroll with Toby to the walled garden where, he will explain the planting scheme for this season, and here you can take advantage of the many opportunities to photograph the floral displays.
For more details and booking forms please click here. Friends of Osborne | Spring Colour Walk with Toby
Thursday 24th April. A talk by Mark Earp. The Isle of Wight at War 1939 - 1945, "On the Homefront".
Mark is a very popular speaker and he has given us many interesting talks. This presentation is a collection of Isle of Wight WW II wartime memories and eye witness accounts, from local people that are often forgotten with the passing of time.
For more details and booking forms please click here. Friends of Osborne | Talk on The Isle of Wight at War 1939 - 1945
We have roughly planned out which events we would like to hold this year but we still need final confirmation of some dates
May: An outside event visiting a place of interest on the Island.
June: Hidden Osborne led by Christopher Warleigh-Lack
July: Walled Garden Drinks Party
August: Nothing planned at the moment
September: Talk by Sarah Burdett on Osborne Naval College. Thursday 18th September
Quiz Night to be arranged
September 21st. Buckingham Palace Trip
At present we have 28 booked on this trip. I am opening it up to EH staff and volunteers at Osborne. You are also welcome to invite friends and family.
The cost of this trip is £70 and includes the return coach and ferry travel and the entrance to the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace.
For more details and booking form please click here. Friends of Osborne | Visit to Buckingham Palace
Please be aware that having completed the booking form and clicked on the 'Send' button to pay your £10 deposit you will receive an online message acknowledging receipt of your booking application. I will not email confirmation that you are on the list, but you are!
October: Autumn walk with Toby. Wednesday 8th October.
Talk in the Education Rooms. To be arranged.
Christmas decoration workshops. Friday mornings 17th, 24th and 31st.
November: AGM to be held during late morning.
Christmas decoration workshops including wreath making session. Thursday mornings 6th, 20th and 27th.
December: A Christmas carol session. Format to be decided.
As we get confirmation of dates, we will put out booking forms about six to eight weeks before the event.
I look forward to Spring arriving, our events and visits to Osborne getting underway; and to meeting many of you over the next few months.
Best wishes
Allison Rogers