VENTURING OUT – LOOKING FOR TURNER FOUND ZOFFANY

As the rules relax we are all venturing out a little, perhaps visits to family or favourite places.  Yesterday a trip to test how busy the transport system was and how a large gallery was coping with the rules proved to be a pleasant surprise.  A couple of buses, mainly the 11; which were only allowed to carry 30 passengers and thus we were very well spaced, took us to Trafalgar Square.  Again this tourist hot spot was hardly busy.  A free timed slot at the National Gallery gave us access to one of three routes through the standing exhibitions.  We chose route C for its Turners but were delighted to see them juxtaposed with Constables and many others – largely landscapes.  West London can claim Turner as one of its own and some members may have visited his home at Twickenham now newly restored and re-opened under COVID restrictions but with a small exhibition of his oil sketches see details.  It was a great visit but the first surprise was seeing Johan Zoffany’s painting of “The Sharp Family” on their barge Apollo at Fulham. Photography was allowed but this picture is on loan from a private collection so a rare treat that gives a feel for the area and the times. Granville Sharp was a respected resident of Fulham who helped found the colony of Sierra Leone and used his position to campaign for the abolition of slavery.  The second surprise was to see a Canaletto of the Rotunda at Ranelagh Gardens. Noticing the Ranelagh connection and delved a little deeper as had never heard of the Rotunda, which was demolished in 1805.

So well worth a visit to the National and to Turner’s House.  We even managed a snack lunch at the National’s cafe.

Talking of re-opening the London Metropolitan Archive will re-open with restrictions from 7 September details on their website. Likewise the V&A is open and the British Museum is re-opening too. So do venture forth and take in some more History and perhaps lunch. Let us all know if you find any historical gems.

II – POSTSCRIPT

For those wishing to find out more about Granville Sharp there is this entry on Historic England’s website and of course Wikipedia.

See Vernon Burgess’ comment below.

JULY MISCELLANY

Apologies for not keeping up the regular flow of posts.  Here are a few items of interest to keep you going. Also I will do answers to the June quiz and try to develop a new one, but all in good time.

Those of us who visited Brompton Cemetery on a guided tour or those who regularly use it for exercise or a traffic free short cut will be interested to peruse the Royal Parks website as Brompton is the only nationalised cemetery, as we learnt, and now managed by them. A lengthy list of past celebrities with a page about them, try Reginald Warneford VC, Adelaide Nielson, Augustus Mears and Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale. A further link gives details of the Cemetery in Film and the extensive Conservation Project.  For those that haven’t yet visited there is also a recent video of a walk in Brompton Cemetery on YouTube. Thanks to Vernon for the links.

We all know of Fulham Palace and some of its history Maya spotted this gem in Spitalfields Life  now featuring in the LBHF Libraries blog.  It is a charming photo-essay of a visit to the palace.  A delight to gardeners too.

Despite most of us being able to get out now there is still a little time for reading; my latest find is The AtoZ of History of

The AtoZ History of London

London ISBN 9780008351762.  Not a deep history as it covers so much ground but it takes themes and follows them through maps.  Fascinating although the white print on a scarlet ground on one or two pages is hard for older eyes it is nevertheless a good read to dip in and out of.

JUNE QUIZ, MORE READING AND WALKING

We are all able to get out a bit now but still mainly at home so how about another Quiz?  Something to read? Or perhaps a Walk?

First up Here is the Quiz.

FROG

For the reading you might try a Thames theme.  We’ve had a couple of talks from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA)’s Nathalie Cohen and Eliott Wragg about their work on the Thames foreshore and the work of the splendidly named FROG (Foreshore  Recording and Observation Group) indeed a couple of our members have given updates on the work.  MOLA produced a book written by Natalie and Eliott – The River’s Tale   ISBN 9781907586453.

I have just started reading an independent mudlarker’s account which is also fascinating and almost immediately relates the fate of the Dove type (thrown from Hammersmith Bridge!). – Mudlarking – Lost and Found on The River Thames by Lara Maiklem ISBN9781408889237.

You might like to build up a thirst by checking out London’s Riverside Pubs by Tim Hampson ISBN9781847735027 which could lead to walks!  Especially when they re-open.

For those interested in post war buildings try John Gringrod’s Concretopia ISBN9781906964900 a catalogue of triumphs and failures in this unloved but practical material (even the Roman’s used it!)

A crime novel linked to the histoic bombing of St Pauls The Blue Last by Martha Grimes ISBN9780747268420 or 0747268428 will keep you gripped.

  

And finally to walks. LBHF has catalogued a number of short walks with a set of downloadable guides here. Some cover ground trod on our outings but there are plenty so should last the lockdown.  thanks to Vernon Burgess for the link.

If you cannot get out then you may like to delve into the William Morris Society’s online exhibition a short video and a trail through the exhibits.

 

 

 

 

TUESDAY 10:30AM 4 JUNE 2019 “ALBERTOPOLIS” A WALKING TOUR OF THE MUSEUM, ARTS AND EDUCATION HUB INSTIGATED BY THE ROYAL CONSORT

Annika Hall a lively, knowledgable and experienced Blue Badge guide will lead us around this world
famous cluster of Museums, a University, the RCM, Albert Hall
and more. This should be a fascinating tour and an opportunity to
learn more about the institutions we visit. We will meet at 1030
outside the Cromwell Road entrance to the V&A museum. This
is a fairly gentle walk and will take in all the key buildings and aim
to finish in time for lunch at any of the many venues nearby. There
will be a charge of £15, payment in advance to the Treasurer at 49 St Peter’s Terrace, London, SW6 7JS or on the day but you must let him know if you intend to come. fhhslist@gmail.com or 07717359913.
Buses: 14, 414, 430, 74 to South Ken or 9 to Royal Albert Hall
Tube: District and Picadilly lines to South Kensington.

Albertopolis

TEMPLE OF MITHRAS & ST STEPHEN’S WALBROOK 11:00 9 OCTOBER

Temple of Mithras
Situated at 12 Walbrook, on the line of one London’s ancient rivers, the

Temple of Mithras

Mithraeum recreates the Roman Temple of Mithras in its original location now under the Bloomberg Centre in the heart of the city.

St Stephen’s Walbrook

Afterwards we will visit St Stephens Wallbrook which dates to 1672 with even earlier predecessors. https://ststephenwalbrook.net/history/

Also the Wikipedia entries: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Mithraeum  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Stephen_Walbrook

This should be an interesting morning we have tickets for 15 at the Temple but any extras could easily join the next public group. We have a timed slot so do try to be there promptly.
Meet at 1050 outside the Bloomberg Centre at 12 Walbrook – EC4N 8AA by the entrance to the Mithraeum. By tube to Mansion House (district) or Bank (central). Maphttps://goo.gl/maps/G6HwAq81mXH2

RECENT EVENTS

15 MAY ST PETER’S CHURCH & SQUARE

On a very balmy evening we gathered at the church and had a look inside. We heard what Pevsner had to say about it and a little of its history. It must have been idyllic before the predations of motor transport. The group then walked around the square noting the splendid buildings and even a small terrace in similar style that was built to complete the square when the Commodore Cinema was demolished. Diverting into some of the less grand streets it was interesting to note the number of corner shops that have now been converted to homes.
Thence underneath the roaring A4 to wander along Hammersmith Terrace noting its former residents which include A P Herbert and Emery Walker (list). Again a number of former shops were evident in the houses opposite, a reminder just how local shopping was despite the presence of King Street so near. The evening was concluded, for some at least, with refreshment at the Black Lion.

29 MAY WATTS GALLERY

An extra event was arranged to see the Cecil French Bequest to LBHF of pre-Raphaelite works before the exhibition closed at the end of the month. Four cars worth of members braved the rather damp weather to journey down to Guildford. The weather improved soon after arrival and a good exhibition was complemented by a great lunch in the cafe. Some visited the Church and the Watts studio and we were all met by a wall of water as we headed home. Nevertheless a good visit and well worth seeing as the works may not be exhibited again for some time.

ST PETER’S CHURCH 15 MAY & FUTURE EVENTS

We had a successful series of talks through the winter months including – The Lion Houses, London in the Civil War, Roman London, Thames Archaeology and Panaorama of the Thames. Now with lighter evenings we venture out starting with St Peter’s Church and Square in Hammersmith, probably finishing in the Black Lion. Meet:

7:30PM Tuesday 15 May Outside St Peter’s Church, Black Lion Lane W6 9BE

hope to see you there.
Next will be a visit by shared private cars to Watts Gallery near Guildford to see the Cecil French bequest of Burne-Jones and other paintings before the exhibition closes. Details of travel will be agreed with those who have shown an interest, its not too late email: fhhslist@gmail.com

Departing at 1030AM 29 May For Watts Gallery returning late afternoon

In June we will visit Kensal Green Cemetery at 11:00AM 30 June

For July we have secured a talk on St Pauls Girls School by Dr Howard Bailes which will be at

7:00pm on Tuesday, 17 July 2018 In the Jessie Mylne Education Centre at Fulham Palace

Further details will be found in our current and next newsletters

BROMPTON CEMETERY

TUESDAY 6 JUNE, 6.30PM
The forecast is for a bright evening so why not join us on a
VISIT TO BROMPTON CEMETERY Led by Keith Whitehouse.
During the 19th century, with the growth of London,
churchyards were becoming full so enterprising business
men decided to build private cemeteries laid out as parks.
Brompton was opened in 1840 and included catacombs. It
was consecrated by the Bishop of London. The first burial
was Emma Shaw from Fulham. Many famous people are
buried here as were residents of Fulham and
Hammersmith. Emmeline Pankhurst, Richard Tauber,
Constant Lambert and Albert Smith of Mont Blanc fame
to name just a few. There are many fine monuments
including one designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones. One of the finest cemeteries in London.
Meet outside the entrance in Old Brompton Road.
Bus: 74 and 430 stop outside.
Tube: West Brompton (next to cemetery)
FREE

DATES FOR YOUR AUTUMN DIARY

Saturday, 22 August at 2pm
VISIT TO HOGARTH HOUSE & CHISWICK CHURCH
Val Bott’s talk at our AGM was so well received that it was decided to visit again since our last visit in 2012.
The Grade I listed country home of the painter, engraver and satirist William Hogarth. Built about 1700 the house has been extensively refurbished. Rescued and opened as a musum in 1904, it contains new displays on Hogarth’s life and work and some rooms are furnished in period style. Hogarth is buried in nearby Chiswick Churchyard. On our previous visit we were unable to gain entry to the church.
The visit will start at 1400 (2pm) at the Church, St Nicholas Chiswick which is at the junction of Church Lane and Chiswick Mall. So if arriving by car and parking at Chiswick Park do allow time to walk to the church. We will then move on to Hogarth House, Hogarth Lane, Great West Road, (Hogarth Roundabout on A4), W4 2QN
Underground: Turnham Green (District)
Bus: 190
Car: Parking available at nearby Chiswick Park (Turning off A4)
Admission: FREE

Tuesday, 22 September at 7.30pm
CHRISTINA BROOM – PIONEER PHOTOGRAPHER (1862-1939)
Anna Sparham will give a talk on Christina Broom, the pioneering photographer, who had a shop in Munster Road, Fulham. She is regarded as the UK’s first female press photographer. With creativity and a bold pioneering spirit she took the camera to the streets and captured thousands of images of people and events in London, revealing unique observations of the city at the start of the 20th century. This talk illustrates the exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands.
Place: St Clements Church Hall, Fulham Palace Road, SW6 (near corner of Crabtree Lane,) Buses 74, 220, 424, 430 (stop outside), 190, 211, 295, (stop nearby in Lillie Road).

SOLDIERS AND SUFFRAGETTES: The Photography of Christina Broom (Curated by Anna Sparham) Info online:
http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands/whats-on/exhibitions-displays/christina-broom/
Monday-Sunday: 10am-6pm until 1 Nov
Museum of London Docklands
No.1 Warehouse, West India Quay
London, E14 4AL 020 7001 9844
DLR: West India Quay (2 mins) Tube: Canary Wharf
Admission: FREE

Sunday, October 4 at 2pm
ALBERT MEMORIAL
Visit to the sculptures of the Albert Memorial
The tour will last about 45 minutes and costs £8/£7 concessions. 15 places.
Book by 24 September with Sue Pierson on 020 7731 6544 or email: sue@lancepierson.org

Friday, November 6 at 2pm
ST PAULS CATHEDRAL
Visit to the triforium (upper floor) of St Paul’s Cathedral. To include the library, the geometrical staircase and the Trophy room which includes Wren’s great model and artefacts from the medieval cathedral. Tour to last about an hour. 15 places only. Cost £23.50/ concessions 21.50. This includes access to the rest of the cathedral.

NB There are 141 steps to climb and no lift!
Book by 24 October with Sue Pierson on 020 7731 6544 or email: sue@lancepierson.org

OTHER EVENTS
London Open House Weekend 19/20 September. This is always fascinating with many properties not normally open to the public. Details at: http://www.openhouselondon.org.uk/

VISIT TO CROYDON AIPORT MUSEUM 7 JUNE

Croydon Airport Control Tower

About a dozen members visited the Croydon Airport Museum in the old Terminal Building, itself a Grade II listed building in a recognisably early 20th century neo-classical style. The building is oriented to the points of the compass rather than the line of the road. Meeting in the old arrivals and departure lounge the group were able to take a coffee at the snack bar and explore the visual panels of the Museum. Our guide gave us an overview of the layout and the history of this the first international Airport with its own purpose designed buildings. Although the lager part of the building is given over to commercial offices the foyer museum and the Control Tower convey the feel for what it must have been like in the early days of air travel. There are many photographs of the developments in air-travel and of the airport. Initially WW1 RAF Beddington and the NAtional Aircraft Factory No1 were combined with an enlarged runway and the new terminal. Displays of aircraft seating showed how important weight was, and still is, in commercial travel; some of the seating resembling Lloyd loom chairs! There were a number of families also visiting and the youngsters were drawn to a PC running a flight simulation giving the feel of taking off and landing an early airliner. Without exception they all crashed on landing but one of our young at heart members managed a safe landing. Honour satisfied we all repaired to the Gypsy Moth pub across the road for lunch, itself a reminder that Sir Francis Chichester had first flown aircraft from here before transferring his adventures and the name to yachts.