Chairman's Newsletter - June 2025
Friday 13th June 2025
Dear Members,
Despite the recent cold blustery weather, there is the promise of some warm sunny weather ahead. Summer is returning.
Kevin Shaw gave an excellent talk in May about Victorian Britain. It made us very grateful that we didn’t live during that time in history! Kevin is giving a talk at Carisbrooke Castle Museum at 7pm on 25th June about The Queens’ Consorts. He gave this fascinating talk to FoO last year, where he looked at the similarities and differences between Prince Albert and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Click here for a link. Carisbrooke Castle Museum Trust - Art Tickets
Our next event is Hidden Osborne on Wednesday June 18th. This event is sold out and those who were not successful in gaining a ticket are on a waiting list and will have priority next year.
The organisers will be in touch later this week to confirm times and where to meet. Some members have voiced concern as to whether they have managed to book an event successfully. When they submit the booking form, they receive an online confirmation message and that means they are booked and on the list. Just prior to the event, the organiser will contact them by email or I will put details of where to meet in this newsletter.
As many of you have seen in our latest mailshot, The Walled Garden Party has now been confirmed and booking forms are now online. The Garden Party is on Thursday 3rd July and promises to be a wonderful evening. There will be still and sparkling wine, soft drinks and delicious canapés. Please state when booking if you have specific dietary requirements. Theresa Ellis, a harpist, will play a selection of classical, jazz, folk and popular music during the evening. Please bring a chair if you wish to sit and listen after wandering around the Walled Garden. The cost is £18 per head.
Please click here for more information and booking form. Friends of Osborne | The Walled Garden Drinks Party
Many of you may be interested in some of the History of Isle of Wight talks taking place at Quarr Abbey on June 29th. Christopher Warleigh-Lack, our curator at Osborne, is talking about the culture of remembrance created by Queen Victoria for her husband. Dr. Therron Welstead, who many of you will know from his years of working at Osborne, is talking about Isabella de Fortibus. She was a 13th Century widow and ‘lord’ of the Isle of Wight (1237 – 1293).
Please click her for a link to Quarr Abbey Events. Events - Quarr Abbey
The balance for the Buckingham Palace Trip on 21st September is now due and needs to be paid by July 4th. Please click here for payment form. Friends of Osborne | Visit to Buckingham Palace - Payment of balance form
Please be aware of the change of venue for the Osborne Proms 2025 from Osborne to Robin Hill. The date remains the same – July 26th.
I hope you enjoy the events this June and July and that the weather is kind to us.
Best wishes
Allison Rogers