Programme of Events - Summer 2013
The committee for the Friends of the Fitzwilliam organise events and visits for both Friends and friends of Friends to attend. These vary from visits to historic houses to something more closer to home with exclusive visits within the Museum and the Colleges of the University of Cambridge. All the events listed below are for Friends only; if you are not currently a Friend and would like to join you can download an application form.
To contact the Friends Office please email fitzmuseum-friends@lists.cam.uk
You can download and view the current newsletter online
You can also view past events online.
Two events in this programme, the Summer Drinks and the Houghton visit are bookable online using the links below. The rest are bookable with the booking form sent out with the newsletter
Friends’ Summer Drinks Party
Tuesday 2 July 2013
We are delighted to be able to hold our Summer Drinks Party at the Master's Lodge, Downing College. The evening will include an optional tour of the College with one of the Fellows and a tour of the public rooms of the Lodge with the Master. Since last year’s summer party was very oversubscribed, this event is for Friends only. Book Early!
Organisers: Cazzy Walshe and Sue Rasmussen
Places: 150
Tickets: £20.00
Friends only
Friends login for bookings
Houghton Hall and the Hermitage Collection
Tuesday 16 July 2013
This is a unique chance to see the paintings, on loan from the Hermitage collection, back in their original setting. After coffee on arrival, there will be a guided tour of the house and art. In the afternoon, after a two course lunch, we shall hear a talk from the gardener and enjoy an independent wander around the grounds. As well as the special exhibition, Houghton’s unique history and interiors, the award-winning five acre garden, the contemporary sculpture park and model soldier museum offer a great day out. We will finish with a cream tea, returning to Cambridge around 6.15 pm.
PLEASE NOTE – parking is a ten minute walk from the house and the hour-long tour of the house includes staircases and uneven surfaces.
Organiser: Sarah Bradfield
Places: 46
Tickets: £68.50 to include tour of the house, garden, talk, all refreshments and coach travel.
Depart Trumpington P&R: 8.30am
Friends login for bookings
History of Art Talks by Graduate students
Wednesday 1 May • Wednesday 5 June 12 noon - 1.00pm
This series of lunchtime talks will continue with two presentations next term. On Wednesday 1 May Louise Hardiman will tell us about Sergei Checkhonin’s porcelain vase with a portrait of Lenin and on Wednesday 5 June Rebecca Norris will talk about Renaissance Medals.
Places: 15
Talks are free and for Friends only.
Please meet at the Courtyard entrance just before 12 noon.
A ballot will be held two weeks before each talk and you will be contacted by email or phone. Please apply on the enclosed booking form but note that no SAE is required
Tea on Tuesdays
These very informal meetings will continue but under new management. Nick Chrimes is taking sabbatical leave and we should like to thank him most warmly for all the interesting talks he has given us. Even now Nick has not abandoned us but has recruited a small team of speakers to carry on the good work with Sally Sandys-Renton co-ordinating the talks.
Tuesday 7 May
Impressions: Treasures in Gallery 5
Tuesday 4 June
English Slipware: Elisabeth Everitt
Tuesday 2 July
Egyptian Faience: Marr Grieve
Please meet as usual in the Friends’ Room before 2.30. Tea will be served after the talk.
Saffron Walden; The Fry Art Gallery and Myddylton Place
Wednesday 15 May 2013
10.30am – 3.00pm approx
A private visit to the Fry Art Gallery to see ‘An Outbreak of Talent’, an exhibition of pictures and paintings by artists noted by Paul Nash in 1935 as having particular talent, including Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden, Edward Burra, Barnett Freedman & Enid Marx. After a home-made lunch we shall have a tour of Myddylton Place, which is a Grade I listed building of significant historical interest in North West Essex.
PLEASE NOTE - Friends need to provide their own transport. A map of Saffron Walden, with parking information and the itinerary, will be sent out. Also, please note, the town is hilly and Myddylton Place has steep stairways and uneven floors.
Organiser: Sarah Bradfield
Places: 28
Tickets: £28.50 (to include morning coffee and two course lunch)
Friends only
Southill Park and the Shuttleworth Collection, Bedfordshire
Tuesday 4 June 2013
10.30am – 3.00pm approx
Southill has been the home of the Whitbread family for over 200 years and we are privileged to be allowed a glimpse into this very private home. After mid-morning coffee we will be shown around thehouse in two groups. There will then be time to wander around the garden before we travel on to have lunch at the Shuttleworth Collection. The Collection is situated at Shuttleworth Aerodrome, one of the few traditional all grass aerodromes still in regular use.
NB Afternoon refreshments will be available in the café before we leave but are not included in the price. This trip will involve walking and prolonged standing for the tours.
Organiser: Sarah Bradfield
Places: 46
Tickets: £49.50 to include coffee, tours and lunch
Depart: Trumpington P&R: 9.30am
Floreat Cantabrigia
Tuesday 11 June and Tuesday 20 August
starting at 2.30pm, and lasting 11/2 hours
Tour starts outside St Benet’s Church
Cambridge is full of fascinating Latin inscriptions, on clocks, sundials,memorials and college walls. Happy or sad, celebratory or solemn, they all deserve attention from the passer-by. Nancy Gregory, author of 'Cambridge Inscriptions Explained', will lead a tour past some of the most interesting inscriptions and will help you to work out similar inscriptions elsewhere.
Organiser: Gillian Harrison
Places: 20
Tickets: £16.50 Ballot Friday 24 May
Friends only
BEHIND THE SCENES Who Shuffled the Silver? Understanding the new displays
Wednesday 19 June
at 11.00am and 2.00pm
Jane Ewart, independent consultant and writer about silver, has recently arranged the Museum's collection of silver in two new displays, which she will show to us after a short introduction in the Friends’ Room.
Organiser: Margaret Mair
Places: 15 on each tour
Tickets: £12.00
Friends only
Sundial Walk in Cambridge
Tuesday 30 July and Saturday 3 August
Starting at 11am and lasting 2 hours
Frank King, the University Bell Ringer and Keeper of the University Clock, is also Chairman of the British Sundial Society. He has kindly agreed to repeat the very successful sundial walks that he did for the Friends in 2010. Walks will last 2 hours but participants can leave earlier.
Organiser: Gillian Harrison
Places: 20 on each tour. Ballot: Friday 8 June
Tickets: £16.50
Friends only