The Chairman of the Quantock Centre, David Bastable, has written to members to say he will be moving permanently to London in the summer.
With "great sadness", he is retiring as Chairman with effect from 31 August. His place will be taken by the Vice-Chairman, Derek Spackman, pending the annual general meeting next February when the election of officers will take place.
In his letter to members, David said that he had wanted to move to London for some time. He was now a position to do so. He would write more fully to members later.
David Bastable recently received an award for more than 20 years' voluntary service for the National Trust. He joined the Quantock Centre in 1981. He became Recruitment and Publicity Secretary the following year, was co-opted to the Committee in 1983, appointed Hon Secretary in 1986, and made Chairman in 1991.
In that same year he became a volunteer at Barrington Court and joined the list of Trust lecturers. He was an elected member of the National Trust Council from 1984 to 2002.
The Visual Arts Group is going from strength to strength with a membership now of 50! For our most recent outing – to Tate Britain – on 12 April we were joined by members of the Somerset Art Gallery Trust. This meant we were able to justify our own coach for the day to make travelling easier.
In fact we ended up with a small waiting list. We saw the acclaimed exhibition of Turner, Whistler Monet paintings which had already been seen in Canada and Paris. There were also opportunities to see other exhibitions in Tate Britain such as the Caro sculptures or to go by boat to the Tate Modern or stop off at the London Eye. Further outings are planned for later in the year – possibly Bath and Cardiff and to Barnstaple to see some of our more local treasures. There will also be a chance to experiment with a practical skill such as pottery. We aim to be truly democratic and to provide what our members want – as long as they remember to let me know. I can be contacted on 01984 618287. If you are at all interested in visual or tactile art of any kind it is not too late to join. Interest not knowledge is the important factor.
Ian Billinge
The Music Group has just come to the end of its second season. And, like the first season, it has been very successful, with all the afternoon meetings being fully subscribed. We have also fulfilled our general objective which is to provide a wide variety of music.
This year, seven of our members played music – four for the second time and three for the first time. It is hoped as time goes on that all members will have the opportunity to play their choice of music at least once.
We have listened to recordings ranging from the first known opera to 1960s popular songs and oriental music and jazz. We have all experienced music that we had not heard before, liking some pieces and not others. Good listening and fellowship have been enjoyed by all. The Group has been made most welcome by the hosts on each and every occasion.
Preparations have already started for the 2005-06 season. We will be having seven or eight meetings and enquiries are being made into the possibility of a visit to the Symphony Hall, Birmingham, for a concert.
Anyone interest in joining the Music Group should telephone me on 01823 338246.
Derek Spackman
Eric Franks, the Quantock Centre's Treasurer, told members at the annual general meeting on 26 February, that the Centre has given more than £300,000 to the Trust since 1971 when the Centre was formed. The achievement was described as “amazing” by the National Trust Associations' Liaison Co-ordinator, Philippa Spackman, who was guest speaker at the meeting.
She said: “You arrange more events than any other centre in the country. You are one of our most successful groups. Thank you for your commitment.”
The Quantock Centre has given a welcome financial boost to schemes at three properties recently visited by Centre members. Donations have been made to Arlington Court, near Barnstaple; Hidcote Manor Garden, near Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire; and Hinton Ampner Garden, near Alresford, Hampshire.
Progress can now be made on a textile conservation project on one of the state coaches at Arlington Court. Property Manager Ana Chylak wrote in a thank-you letter to Eric Franks, Treasurer of the Quantock Centre: “Frustratingly, we were just a little short. With your gift I should now be able to complete the most urgent work.”
The donation to Hidcote Manor Garden will go towards its long-term project to restore lost original features to the garden. Mike Beeston, Property Manager, wrote: “Last winter, we successfully re-instated Johnston's Plant House. We have a lot more to do to recapture the vision of Johnston's original scheme for the garden.”
At Hinton Ampner Garden, Nick Brooks, the Assistant Property Manager and Head Gardener, says that, weather and other conditions permitting, “we are hoping to replant our shrub roses in borders along the Long Walk, and your donation would provide a welcome contribution to this project”.
A Bridgwater member has sent the Quantock Centre a cheque for £1,000 because “the Centre and the National Trust do such wonderful work and have given me so much pleasure over the last 20 or so years”. She added her “many thanks” to all those who organise the Centre's events.
Another Quantock Centre member, from Minehead, has given £500 as an expression of gratitude for the Centre's work and in memory of a close friend.
The combined donations have been earmarked for a new visitor centre at Barrington Court. The centre is due to open in 2007.
One of the “architects” of the National Trust Quantock Centre has died at the age of 95. George (Eddie) Winn was a member of the steering committee that created the Centre in 1971. He then served on the Committee for 11 years.
He was Membership Secretary from 1978 to 1982. During that time, he completely reorganised the membership records. This was described at the annual meeting in 1983 as “his greatest contribution” to the work of the Centre. Wing Commander Winn and his wife, Ray, were deeply involved in the Centre's activities -- social events, meetings, coach tours.
A service of thanksgiving was held at Holy Trinity Church, Taunton, on 19 November.
Bryants Coaches, the Williton company which has served the Quantock Centre with unfailing care for more than 25 years, has been sold. The decision was taken by the Bryant family because they wanted to retire.
The company has been bought by Webberbus, of Minehead. Webberbus will honour all Bryants' commitments to the Quantock Centre up to 30 September, so that the Spring and Summer programmes can go ahead without any changes to the arrangements. The holiday arranged by Sue Knight (Quantock Oakleaf Tours) to Kent from 23 to 30 May 2005 and the four-day trip to Northampton beginning on 23 September will also go ahead as planned.
It is hoped that after September Centre members will experience little if any difference in the arrangements made for coach visits. We will bring you up to date later.