Our last outing in 2018 was to Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham on 13 December, when 26 members took a coach from North Square on a lovely sunny morning. The staff at Strawberry Hill House made us very welcome and the guides to the Lost Treasures of Strawberry Hill exhibition were very informative and knowledgeable about all the exhibits. These were originally the lifetime collection of Horace Walpole, the son of the first Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole.
After Horace died in 1797, the collection was sold at auction and was scattered around the world; and his lovely house went to rack and ruin. In recent years a trust was established, the house has been renovated, and many of the treasures were located and loaned for this exhibition, including two from the Queen’s collection. When the exhibition finishes on 24 February, all the items will be returned to the owners, probably never to be seen in public again.
There will be no outing in January; but the Committee are now arranging the next outings for spring. The first one will be in February. Please keep an eye on Days Out for information.
The Committee wishes all U3A members a very Happy New Year and hopes to welcome you on our outings.
Report by Barbara Bliss