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Wednesday, 10th February
Within the huge sorting office, Mount Pleasant, in Clerkenwell this fascinating collection of philatelic exhibitions, records, maps and classic film is ripe for exploration.
Curator, Helen Dafter, will introduce us to the Royal Mail’s history, followed by a look at important documents in the Search Room before we go behind the scenes.
For good walkers only as steep stairs. 10.30am - noon. Coffee on arrival. Members £10.
Guests £15.
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Tuesday, 16th February
The Royal College of Music is one of the world’s leading conservatoires and its Library, with volumes of music and manuscripts going back over 500 years, is central to its distinguished heritage. The college’s renowned musical collections also include the unique and fascinating Museum of Instruments housing over 1000 instruments from the familiar to the extraordinary as well as portraits, prints and photographs, historical concert programmes and press cuttings. Curator, Jenny Nex, and librarian, Pam Thompson, have kindly agreed to show us some of their priceless treasures.
Coffee in the student canteen at 10.30am. Tour of approx 1? hours. Members £20. Guests £25.
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Monday, 22nd March
For the fifth consecutive year, BADA’s Lucie Evans has arranged an entertaining and informative talk at this supreme antiques fair in Duke of York Square, Chelsea. Starting at the clubhouse with a champagne reception, a short walk takes us to the fair’s giant marquee where Lucie will tell us about the special offer open to our members (including the annual handbook and re-entry tickets) and introduce our speaker. Rebecca Scott, is an expert on samplers, and will show us fascinating examples which provide a unique record of the social history of their time.
A delicious, 2-course seasonal menu created by Head Chef, Mark Thompson, awaits us afterwards at the clubhouse, served with selected wines. 6pm - 9pm. Members £60. Guests £70
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Friday, 9th April
A special visit organised by our Hampstead members. First, coffee at historic Burgh House (1703) in the oldest part of Hampstead, near the ancient well, and home to the museum and chronological story of the village. A short walk downhill takes us to The National Trust’s No.2 Willow Road, a modernist house with original contents, built in the 1930s by Erno Goldfinger, pioneer émigré architect from Czechoslovakia, where we will view a short period film and meet the curator. Gourmet pub, The Freemason’s Arms, welcomes us for a 2-course luncheon, before we walk a further 5 minutes to Keats’s House for a short tour. The High Street, with its attractive selection of shops, is never more than a short stroll away from this quiet, picturesque and interesting backwater underneath Hampstead Heath.
9.30am - 2.30pm. Members £45. Guests. £58
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RETAIL THERAPY |
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Wednesday, 27th January
This dazzling space, housed in spectacular glass domes, was previously reserved for the use of professional interior designers only, but now welcomes retail customers. We have the opportunity to visit this ‘ultimate interior source’, with its unparalleled choice of fabrics, furniture, lighting, wall and floor coverings. Household names, as well as less well-known brands, key showrooms and smaller specialists are all there for us to discover on a carefully guided tour.
Refreshments upon arrival, welcome at 10.30am and a 2-course luncheon by Absolute Taste at The Design Café included. Members £25. Guests £32.
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Monday, 8th March
This iconic store on Old Bond Street is home from home to the heart of New York fashion. Spread over 3 floors, DKNY (Donna Karan New York) has a quintessentially feminine style which appeals across generations. After a short biography of the designer, we can enjoy an informal fashion show, featuring an introduction to the ‘Cosy’ - a unique, cleverly designed garment with 12 different ways of being worn! Then we will focus on Spring dressing stories and the exquisite Pure range.
Refreshments upon arrival at 9.30am. Complimentary bag to take home. Members £5. Guests £10.
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Monday, 22nd March
Long-established as one of the city’s best known streets for antique dealers, Pimlico Road has found a new identity as a cosmopolitan and varied shopping destination, without losing its signature theme. On Orange Square stands a statue of Mozart, who lived nearby, overlooking a bustling farmer’s market taking place every Saturday. You can sample florists, garden designers, delicatessens and interior design shops along this interesting tour.
10.30am. Members £5. Guests £10. Refreshments will be served at the ‘welcome‘ introduction which includes a short history of the area.
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Thursday, 15th - Sunday, 18th April
Our tailor-made trip to Florence, specially designed by Cadogan Travel, features a visit to ‘The Mall‘, a cut price designer outlet 30 minutes outside Florence, where you might get 60% or more off retail prices. We will be taking a private coach to this extensive site where such famous names as Ermenegildo Zegna, Valentino, Loro Piano, Salvatore Ferragamo, Bottega Veneta and Agnona await you. In the afternoon of this day, we will go on to Villa Mangiacane in the heart of the wine-making region of Chianti for a private wine and olive oil tasting experience.
For the full itinerary, with details of cultural visits and regional dining, please call Cadogan Travel on: 020 7838 9132. Places limited
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