15th Jan 2025 – Museum of the Home – Away Day

Museum of the Home Situated in east London and originally known as the Geoffrey Museum, the museum’s main purpose is to show how our ancestors lived, worked and furnished their homes.

We’ll see the furnishings, objects and personal stories of life as experienced by Londoners past and present, and discover what awaits them in the future.

Room settings display textiles and furniture from 1630 and the Victorian era to the present day.

An extensive garden area continues the theme and takes us from a Tudor knot garden to modern roof gardens, echoing changes and innovations in society and fashion.

On arrival we’ll self-guide through the rooms, using the information provided by the museum.

When ready, we can refresh ourselves in the café next door.

Date: Wednesday, 15 January Meeting Time/Place: 10.15am, at Waterloo Station opposite platforms 1-4

Cost: Entry to the museum is free. Accessibility: The museum is step free.

To join us, please fill in the form in the centre of this newsletter and send it (no cheque required) to Nanette Gray. Mobile: 07747 088395

24th Feb 2025 – Spencer House – Away Day

Spencer House Spencer House, built 1756-1765 for John, later 1st Earl Spencer, and his wife, Georgiana, is a Grade I listed building.

It was not only a family home in the city but a venue for lavish entertaining and the display of their growing art collection. One of the architects, James ‘Athenian’ Stuart, pioneered the neoclassical style and Spencer House contains some of the earliest neoclassical interiors in England.

The Spencers’ social circle included many notable cultural figures like actor David Garrick and the playwright Sheridan. During the ‘season’ the Spencers hosted large assemblies for hundreds of guests, for which the grand reception rooms were designed. Owing to financial pressures, from 1883 onwards the family lived at Spencer House only intermittently.

The building was leased to a succession of wealthy tenants like the Duke of Marlborough and his American wife, Consuelo Vanderbilt. In 1986 the family company of Jacob, 4th Lord Rothschild secured a 96-year lease for Spencer House. He restored the building to a state worthy of its historical and architectural significance. The newly restored house was officially reopened in 1990 by Diana, Princess of Wales, a direct descendant of the 1st Earl and Lady Spencer.

Join us and prepare to be dazzled! Date: Monday, 24 February Meeting Time/Place: 10.30am at Waterloo Station, opposite platforms 1-4 Travel: Jubilee line to Green Park Station, Buckingham Palace exit.

There are two cafés opposite the station(or perhaps the Ritz!), where you can enjoy refreshments.

We’ll then make our way to Spencer House, a 10-minute walk, for our guided tour at 12pm.

The tour lasts 75 minutes. Afterwards we’ll retrace our steps to Waterloo Station. Cost: £15.40 (includes the guided tour) Accessibility: There are lifts in the house and seating in most of the rooms.

To join us, please fill in the form in the centre of this newsletter and send it with your cheque, made payable to Kingston u3a GAS, to Pamela Crisp. Email: pamelacrisp50@hotmail.com Mob: 07846 722278