Current News
Notes From the Chairman
My last notes referred to the amount of rain we were having and now we have had a prolonged spell of hot dry sunny weather, with the inevitable threat of drought and hosepipe bans. The joys of living in England!
We are immensely sad that Joyce Shaw has made the decision to move to Cumbria with Denis to live with her daughter. As ill health has increasingly made living in Sutton difficult, this move should bring some measure of relief to both of them. Joyce has been a fantastic stalwart from the very beginning of FoN and we shall miss her very much. She goes to Cumbria with all our thanks and best wishes.
Our ‘New Member’ drive has taken place since the last Newsletter and we have delivered over 10,000 leaflets to properties within a mile of the Mansion. My thanks go to all those magazine deliverers who have undertaken to deliver the leaflets in their ‘patch’ and beyond. Also to those Committee members who have taken a pile of leaflets to deliver, some of whom have delivered over 1,000 each! This has been a major commitment and we do hope it brings some good results. As I write this it is still early days, but there are some signs of interest coming forth. Can I urge all readers to build on these leaflets by talking to friends and neighbours about them and our need for new Members and volunteers? If you know someone who has just retired and might be looking for a small interest, or someone with a little time to spare, please ask them to get in touch with our Secretary or me.
My Notes would not be complete without mention of the lease. We do have the final copy to sign and our August executive meeting will see that signing completed by us. It will then go back to the local authorities for their signatures.
Tony Kerslake
We are immensely sad that Joyce Shaw has made the decision to move to Cumbria with Denis to live with her daughter. As ill health has increasingly made living in Sutton difficult, this move should bring some measure of relief to both of them. Joyce has been a fantastic stalwart from the very beginning of FoN and we shall miss her very much. She goes to Cumbria with all our thanks and best wishes.
Our ‘New Member’ drive has taken place since the last Newsletter and we have delivered over 10,000 leaflets to properties within a mile of the Mansion. My thanks go to all those magazine deliverers who have undertaken to deliver the leaflets in their ‘patch’ and beyond. Also to those Committee members who have taken a pile of leaflets to deliver, some of whom have delivered over 1,000 each! This has been a major commitment and we do hope it brings some good results. As I write this it is still early days, but there are some signs of interest coming forth. Can I urge all readers to build on these leaflets by talking to friends and neighbours about them and our need for new Members and volunteers? If you know someone who has just retired and might be looking for a small interest, or someone with a little time to spare, please ask them to get in touch with our Secretary or me.
My Notes would not be complete without mention of the lease. We do have the final copy to sign and our August executive meeting will see that signing completed by us. It will then go back to the local authorities for their signatures.
Tony Kerslake
The Museum
The Service Wing Museum opened its doors for the summer on Monday, April 2nd and it will be open every 2nd and 4th Sunday (and all Bank Holidays) until 23rd September, after which it will close for the winter. So, if you have promised yourself (or your family) a visit this summer, make sure you come soon!
Help needed! Unfortunately we have recently lost several stewards for a variety of reasons. As a result of this I am finding it increasingly difficult to cover all the stations in the Museum. In particular I only have a few stewards available on one particular date. This is Sunday 26th August (and the next day which is a Bank Holiday Monday). I would be very grateful if anyone could spend some time helping on these dates – or any of the openings in September for that matter. The opening times are usually 2-5pm and can be divided into two slots of 2-3.30pm and 3.30 – 5pm. Please ring me (tel. 020 8644 2455) if you can help.
Wendy Mayes
Help needed! Unfortunately we have recently lost several stewards for a variety of reasons. As a result of this I am finding it increasingly difficult to cover all the stations in the Museum. In particular I only have a few stewards available on one particular date. This is Sunday 26th August (and the next day which is a Bank Holiday Monday). I would be very grateful if anyone could spend some time helping on these dates – or any of the openings in September for that matter. The opening times are usually 2-5pm and can be divided into two slots of 2-3.30pm and 3.30 – 5pm. Please ring me (tel. 020 8644 2455) if you can help.
Wendy Mayes
Working Party Report
How time flies! We will soon be coming to the end of another successful season for the Museum and Gallery and it will be time to put the Museum displays to bed -- but only after special openings for Heritage and national Open Days in September!
We have been busy as usual with the ongoing maintenance of the Service Wing. Lots and lots of small but essential jobs that require attention - painting windows, fence post repairs, replacement of lighting in the display cabinets, wood preserver on the bell 'tabernacle', etc. New donation boxes have been made.
The big event of the year was the purchase of a 'summer house', at the entrance to the Service Wing, to greet our visitors. Many thanks to everybody that helped to put it up and paint it with preservative. It is a huge improvement and the stewards who man it appreciate the more sheltered seating area and protection from the vagaries of the English weather.
Many thanks again to the Working Party ladies, who do such an amazing job inside and outside to keep the Museum and the Courtyard looking smart and welcoming for our visitors.
Another thank you for all the help we receive to set up for the school visits and our monthly talks. The selection of cakes after the talks, with a cup of tea, is so enjoyable. On one school visit, an eight year old boy announced to me that it was Jeffrey Wyatt, who was the architect of the Mansion House. A future volunteer?
Again, please if you have any time to spare and would like to come along to the Stable Block on a Thursday morning for a coffee and chat about what we do there, we would love to see you.
Ian Collins
We have been busy as usual with the ongoing maintenance of the Service Wing. Lots and lots of small but essential jobs that require attention - painting windows, fence post repairs, replacement of lighting in the display cabinets, wood preserver on the bell 'tabernacle', etc. New donation boxes have been made.
The big event of the year was the purchase of a 'summer house', at the entrance to the Service Wing, to greet our visitors. Many thanks to everybody that helped to put it up and paint it with preservative. It is a huge improvement and the stewards who man it appreciate the more sheltered seating area and protection from the vagaries of the English weather.
Many thanks again to the Working Party ladies, who do such an amazing job inside and outside to keep the Museum and the Courtyard looking smart and welcoming for our visitors.
Another thank you for all the help we receive to set up for the school visits and our monthly talks. The selection of cakes after the talks, with a cup of tea, is so enjoyable. On one school visit, an eight year old boy announced to me that it was Jeffrey Wyatt, who was the architect of the Mansion House. A future volunteer?
Again, please if you have any time to spare and would like to come along to the Stable Block on a Thursday morning for a coffee and chat about what we do there, we would love to see you.
Ian Collins
Bookstall Report
There has been an encouraging start to Bookstall sales this year and hopefully this will continue. As ever we require further help on the stall so if you have a few hours to spare please contact me on the number below. Many thanks to all those who have donated books; good quality paperbacks and hardbacks are always needed. I can arrange collection or books can be brought to the Service Wing on a Thursday morning (but please ring me beforehand if possible). Please phone me on 01372 725075. Thank you.
The Autumn 2-day Grand Book Sale will unfortunately not take place this year as arranging it involves a lot of work and commitment by a diminishing number of volunteers. If you would like to help with a future Grand Book Sale please get in touch with me (tel. 01372 725075).
Simon McArthur
The Autumn 2-day Grand Book Sale will unfortunately not take place this year as arranging it involves a lot of work and commitment by a diminishing number of volunteers. If you would like to help with a future Grand Book Sale please get in touch with me (tel. 01372 725075).
Simon McArthur
The Friends of Nonsuch (registered charity number: 1053923)
Enquiries to info@friendsofnonsuch.co.uk
Enquiries to info@friendsofnonsuch.co.uk