Newsletter November 2018
Welcome to our newsletter!
Catherine Parry-Wingfield, the Chair of Turner’s House Trust writes:
Ricky Pound, Interim House Director
Lucy Thompson left the team at the end of August, after a very hardworking term as Turner’s House first House Director, setting up systems from scratch and tackling the multiple tasks that the management of a historic house requires. We wish her success in her new role as Operations Manager at Highgate Cemetery, a very different kind of place.
I would like to introduce Ricky Pound as our Interim House Director. Many of you have already met Ricky and will know that he is a cheerful, energetic and efficient person to have around, we are very pleased to welcome him to the house team.
On his appointment Ricky had this to say: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to take Turner’s House into new territories and to ensure that his largest work of art, his home, is enjoyed by visitors far and wide as befits Britain’s greatest landscape painter”.
We would like to say a very special thank you to all the volunteers – guides, stewards and gardeners – who have helped us make 2018 such a happy and successful year. Turner’s House is still a newcomer on the historic house scene and our visitors are clearly enjoying their experiences at Sandycombe Lodge.
Another big thank you. The Friends of Turner’s House gave very important support to the conservation of Sandycombe Lodge, funding the presentation of the kitchen, including the ‘Old Dad’ projection. This is now acknowledged on a willow pattern plate on the dresser. Our visitors love the ‘below stairs’ element of the house and the Friends’ commitment was very important in achieving this.
We are coming to the end of a very lively season and Turner’s House will close for a winter break on December 14th, reopening on February 1st, 2019. Turner’s House Trust thanks all our supporters and wishes you all a very happy Christmas and New Year.
This image comes from the digitally created view from our telescope from Turner’s bedroom window at Sandycombe Lodge.
Turner’s House News:
Cards are available to buy from the shop now. Just 7.50 for a pack of 10.
Volunteer at Turner’s House!
We are recruiting for more guides and stewards, to join our fantastic team and help the running of Turner’s House. If you’d like to hear more about the roles we have or how to apply, please see the volunteering information on our website.
Saving Sandycombe Lecture
On Monday 7th January 2019 at 1.00pm Catherine Parry Wingfield will be presenting a lunchtime lecture at the National Gallery. The talk will be on the topic of ‘Saving Sandycombe: the inside story of the conservation of JMW Turner’s House in Twickenham’. This will be in the main lecture theatre of the National Galleries Sainsbury Wing, and admission is FREE! It would be great to see some familiar and unfamiliar faces in the audience!
Book Sale!
Following a very successful book sale held last May, largely art books, but a fair amount of fiction – all high brow stuff, of course, Catherine Parry-Wingfieldwill hold another book sale with many more books on Thursday December 13th from 10.00am to 4.00pm, at 11 Montpelier Row, Twickenham TW1 2NQ. Please come over and have a look, buy a book and have a cup of coffee – all sales to benefit Turner’s House Trust!
The new Turner Sketchbook is here!
Friends of Turners House Events
Winter Social: Wednesday December 12th at 6.30pm in the Terrace Room, York House, Richmond Road, Twickenham TW1 3AA
All Friends are welcome for a chance to socialise and celebrate. This is a ticketed event, at £12 per ticket (or £10 if booked in advance) to include a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink, and finger buffet. Booking forms will be emailed to members shortly.
The Friends welcomed Dr Peter van der Merwe, Curator Emeritus at the National Maritime Museum Greenwich, and vice Chairman of the Turner Society, to give an informative lecture on Turner’s Ship Models on 17th October 2018. Stunning replicas of these are on display in the sitting room at Sandycombe Lodge, the originals being housed at Tate Britain.
Dr van der Merwe probed the likely origin of the models which Turner had owned for around 45 years and which were discovered in his bedroom after his death in 1851. He provided a detailed discussion on what the ships represented and how they related to examples of Turner’s work.
Summer Party and new Friends’ Committee
On 13th June 2018, a packed Friends’ Annual General Meeting was held at York House where the outgoing chairperson, Lynne Reeves, was congratulated for all her hard work, fundraising activities and dedication to the Friends of Turners House. New members were voted onto the Committee, and we currently have Diana Dunrossil as interim Chair to carry activities forward. The AGM was followed by an enjoyable summer party.