On Friday 10th June OBs, partners and friends joined DVP for Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, Tim Beckett (66-72) and Director of the OB Club, Richard Garrett, in a visit to Waddesdon Manor.
Blessed with good weather, the group met over coffee before enjoying a lecture on the Estate, House and Grounds – it was interesting to learn more about the Rothschild family. Built in 1870 by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild (1839-1898), the House looks more like a French chateau than a traditional English country house!
After a picnic lunch it was fantastic to look around the House and to see the amazing art collection. For a number of those in the party the favourite piece was a musical automaton named ‘A Marvellous Elephant’. The much loved gilt-bronze elephant dates from 1774 and was made by French Clockmaker H Martinet, watch it in motion here.
Some decided not to try and beat the Friday traffic, but to linger and enjoy a cup of tea and a walk around the beautiful gardens and grounds. Thank you to the Waddesdon Manor team for hosting us and Tim Beckett for helping to organise this event.
The following attended the day: Bruce Claridge (55-59), Jill Claridge, John Beresford (59-64), Jane Beresford, John Sharman (53-64), Rosemary Sharman, Craig Mitchell (64-74), Krystyna Mitchell, Fiona Short, Richard Salt (52-60), Julia Salt, Peter Meiklejohn (55-64), Ellie Meiklejohn, James Knight (65-70), John Lobley (66-71), Nina Bransgrove-Knight, Sandy Gray (59-64), Jane Gray, Richard Harrison (59-64), Lynda Harrison, Anthony Anderson (50-60), Barbara Anderson, Bill Colledge (61-67), Sue Colledge, Tim Beckett (66-72), Martin Pebody (63-72), Richard Garrett and Tim Landon (57-64).