We have a summer programme of visits and talks, and a winter programme of talks, plus a special Christmas event each year...
We organise a programme of spring and summer visits to both historic buildings and modern developments.
Many of the visits organised by the society are to buildings not otherwise open to the public.
We also organise a programme of talks throughout the year, along with guided walks to interesting areas.
The current programme is available from the links on the left. Outline information on recent events is given immediately below, with links to more detailed reports where available.
Reports on some of our recent events are posted on the Reports Pages - and others may, in future, be posted on our website blog (more details on this in Spring 2010).
Other recent highlights (2008/9) have included visits to:
Cliveden, former home of the Astors and infamously associated with the Profumo Affair
Swinhay, a spectacular new eco-house near Dursley, where we were shown round by the architect and owner
Eton College and nearby Dorney Court, one of the finest Tudor manor houses in England
Lower Mill Estate in the Cotswold Water Park, where 25 architects have each been invited to design a 'landmark house' within a uniquely sensitive ecological context.
Recent walks have included a walk around Nailsworth to look at its historic mills and houses, and hear about its history. The walk was led by local resident, architect and committee member David Austin, and ended at the eco-home he designed for himself.
In 2009 our talks programme included:
The vernacular architecture of Stroud and Chalford
‘Greening’ the historic house
Inns and Traffic in the Coaching Age
‘Tin Tabernacles’ and other corrugated iron buildings
Longer reports on recent events will be available soon on our Events Reports page.
An afternoon visit to the recently restored Rodborough Chapel, a “highly regarded example of Arts and Crafts design” with a talk on the building followed by tea.
A recent BBC story about the restoration of the Little Chapel is available by clicking here.
Broadway – An Arts And Crafts Town
Sunday June 13th
Often considered a tourist hub, there is much of interest to see in Broadway.
The day will start with a visit to the Gordon Russell Museum with an introduction by Ray Leigh who was formerly chairman of the notably furniture company.
Our visit coincides with the opening of the Broadway Arts Festival so after lunch (we suggest picnics) we have the chance to visit two interesting exhibitions, guided by art historian, Alan Ford. Both exhibitions commemorate the two-year residence in Broadway, of the celebrated artist, John Singer Sargent. The first has sketches of his work lent by the Tate, including the famous “Lily, Lily, Rose, ” and the second is a record of his life and time in Broadway with many old photographs.
There will be time for tea in one of the numerous cafes and a short walking tour led by Alan Ford of some of the outstanding Arts and Crafts houses built or restored by the 19th century owners.
Cost £22.00 (to include entrance to museum and two exhibitions and coach travel)
Over the last 20 years, Birmingham has made strenuous efforts to overcome its reputation as a concrete jungle of shopping centres and motorways. A new vision, based on the idea of a series of distinct urban quarters linked by a superb public realm, has been realized.
As a result of removing traffic from the centre and dropping the ring road, a high quality public space has opened up from the station to a new landmark public space Centenary Square. Superb new fountains and sculpture make the route even more memorable.
Having ignored its canals for many years, the city has embraced them as a new focus for leisure. We will visit the revitalised Gas Street basin where eighteenth century cast-iron bridges contrast with a hotch-potch of post-modern styles.
We will also see: - St Phillips Cathedral with stained glass by Burne-Jones, Birmingham Central Library, one of the most important ‘new brutalist’ buildings, the fine neo-classical Town Hall, the silver disc-covered space ship that is the new Selfridges, Lethaby’s arts and crafts masterpiece - the Eagle Star building and the Holloway Circus Tower, Ian Simpson’s sleek, curved, ‘tiger-striped’ skyscraper, voted eight best in the world in 2006.
Noted urbanist Tim Mars will lead our expedition
Cost£20.00 - to include coach travel to and from Birmingham.
There are many interesting pubs and wine bars in the city or members can take
picnics.
Croome Park: Historic House And Landscape Garden
Thursday September 9th
This very fine eighteenth century house, near Worcester, now run by the National Trust, has recently been re-united with its landscape gardens, the first to be designed by Capability Brown.
There will be a visit to the house, especially interesting to view at the moment, because it is entirely empty of furniture. Then there will be a guided tour of the “eye-catchers”, icehouse (pictured, left, under restoration), temples, follies (Coadstone 'River God' pictured below) and castles led by the conservation architect John Goom. (He has been responsible for restoration work at Snowshill Manor, Woodchester Mansion and at Croome Park itself)
After this tour there will be tea (cakes, sandwiches and scones) served in the restored World War II canteen and the Project Curator, Sarah Kay, will give an illustrated talk, explaining where all the furniture is, if it will come back and who were the Coventry’s, one time owners of the magnificent estate.
Cost £20 (NT members) £25 (non NT members)
We will leave Stroud at 1.00pm and return at 8.00pm
For events that need to be booked (not evening talks etc) bookings should be sent to Juliet Shipman, Rose Cottage, The Street, Eastcombe, Glos GL6 7DN.
Civilised Streets - reconciling people, places and traffic
An illustrated talk by Ben Hamilton-Baillie
Thursday January 28th, 7.30pm Congregational Church Hall
There has been a revolution in thinking about streets and traffic. Ideas about 'shared space', where people and vehicles negotiate their interaction, have overturned years of traffic segregation. Instead of just being conduits for traffic, streets are being reclaimed and resurrected as part of a civilised public realm.
Ben Hamilton-Baillie is the leading exponent of integrated street design in the UK. He is both a passionate advocate and a witty and entertaining speaker and has been involved in schemes ranging from historic medieval villages, like Dunster, to major metropolitan streets like Exhibition Road in South Kensington.
He is a member of the consultant team which drew up the the Public Realm Strategy for Stroud.
The video below, featuring Ben Hamilton-Baillie, introduces some of the concepts of shared space:
Temple Moore - the forgotten architect of All Saints, Uplands
An illustrated talk by Geoffrey Brandwood
Thursday February 18th, 7.30pm All Saints Church, Uplands
All Saints Uplands is one of the finest, if not the finest, church in the Five Valleys.
Its architect, Temple Moore, built some 40 splendid churches which established him as England's leading ecclesiastical architect of the Edwardian years. Yet today he is little known, especially in the south-west.
In the centenary year of its consecration, Geoffrey Brandwood will give an illustrated talk on this underrated architect in the church itself. He has written a recent biography, Temple Moore: An architect of the late Gothic Revival, which will be available to order at a special price at the meeting.
Geoffrey Brandwood is an active member of the Victorian Society and has written numerous other books on church architecture and the heriatge of the public house.
(Tickets £5.00, payable at the door, include a glass of wine. Parking is difficult, therefore we will arrange a shuttle service from Church Street Car Park to the church. Please be in the car park from 7.00pm if you would like a lift)
Restoring the Corona on the spire of Minchinhampton Church
Richard Bossons
Thursday March 25th, 7.30pm Congregational Church Hall
Richard Bossons is a local architectural stone carver and mason. He describes his work at the church and the problems he faced.
A Report on this meeting is available on our Reports Pages.
The Railway Stations of Mid-Gloucestershire
An illustrated talk by Mike Oakley
Thursday April 8th, 7.30pm Congregational Church Hall
Mike Oakley, author of Gloucestershire Railway Stations, gives an illustrated account of local railway stations.
His particular interest is the buildings and he will talk about the stations from Swindon to Gloucester,. including the many long lost stations and halts.
Copies of his book will be available at the special price of £6.50
Vanishing Stroud - a talk by Howard Beard
Thursday October 29th at 7.30pm
An illustrated talk by Howard Beard – local historian and collector of old photographs.
This talk will be at the newly refurbished Exchange.
Parking is in Church Street car park and the Exchange is about 30 yards down Brick Row on the left. Walk down on the right-hand pavement and then cross over. (We chose this new venue because of convenience of access and parking).
Gloucester Cathedral visit - Treasures of the Arts & Crafts Movement at Gloucester Cathedral
Saturday November 14th 10.30am - 2.30pm
An illustrated talk by Alec Hamilton, a former member of SCS, who is now researching the Arts and Crafts Movement for an MA.
The talk will take place in the 16th century oak panelled Laud room and Alec will talk about the often over-looked treasures of the Cathedral, which includes silverware by C R Ashbee and carvings by Edward Gimson.
We will have a break for lunch and members can either bring sandwiches or go to the Cathedral café. After lunch, Alec will take us on a tour of the Cathedral to show us the works of the movement.
On hand will be Susan Hamilton, for many years our treasurer, and now chief guide at the Cathedral.
Price £7.50 (to include a donation to the Cathedral).
Christmas Visit to Burford
Saturday December 5th - details available by clicking here
Burford is a remarkable small medieval town with an unusual number of 14th-16th century merchants’ houses. It became one of the leading wool markets of the Cotswolds. In the 18th century it became a great centre of coaching, leaving a legacy of some magnificent inns.
The church is one of the finest in the Cotswolds.
We are planning morning coffee, lunch at one of these old inns and there are plenty of places for tea by a log fire.
Our guide will be Dr Simon Townley of the Victoria County History. He has played a leading role in a recent, exciting project in Burford –“Buildings and People of Burford”. Some results of this research, which included the history of the architecture of most of the houses and buildings, lists their owners and details of wills and inventories, can be seen on the project website.
The project was the subject of a recent book which has already completely sold out. We hope it will be reprinted in time for our visit.
Summer Programme 2009 (now completed)
Eco Homes
Sunday May 31 11.00am to 1.00pm and 2.30pm to 4-00pm
In the morning we will visit the striking Tranquility Housewhere the owner, Mike Hilliard will describe the revolutionary techniques he has pioneered. Members can lunch at any of the nearby pubs and in afternoon we will visit the Spring Hill Co-Housing to see an important experiment in living with again interesting architecture.
Historic Houses and Gardens of Oxfordshire Saturday June 6 9.30 am to 6.00pm
Firstly we will go to Rousham Park House. built in 1635, and still in the ownership of the same family. The house retains much original furniture, panelling and pictures. The garden is famous, designed by William Kent, with temples and cascades. After a tour of the house and garden we will be free to picnic in the garden, among the fountains and statues.
This will be followed to a visit to the magical Shotover House. This house is not open to the public. We will be shown around by the housekeeper. The garden is outstanding with temples by William Kent, lakes, avenues and an arcade with vistas down a canal. The house is magnificent too, well worth a viewing (from the outside)
The day will end with a cream tea at Pru Leith's Garden at Chastleton, near Moreton in Marsh. This is a five acre garden with a famous formal vegetable garden and rose tunnel.
Price £29.50 (to include entrances to Rousham Park, Shotover House and Pru Leith's garden, coach and tea). For booking details see below.
Cirencester's Historic Heart Saturday July 4th 2.00pm to 5-00pm
The church has recently undergone a significant re-ordering, including the controversial replacement of the Victorian floor tiles. John Ward (one of Gloucestershire's Leading conservation builders) will show us the work and discuss his approach.
Afterwards, Rory Young, sculptor and conservator, will take us round some of Cirencester's most historic back streets. We plan to visit one or two interiors.
Making Great Places: Transforming Public Space in Bristol
Sunday August 16th 9.45 am to 6.00pm
REPORT ON THIS EVENT AVAILABLE SOON.
Over the last decade, Bristol has restored and transformed a number of damaged, degraded and run-down public spaces and constructed several remarkable new ones.
The expedition will be led by Tim Mars. The tour begins with a cruise of the entire length of the Floating Harbour in this, the 200th anniversary of its opening, looking at recent, historic and proposed waterfront developments.
This will be followed by a guided walk of new and transformed public spaces in central Bristol, including; the Tramway Centre, College Green, Millennium Square, Anchor Square, Queen Square and Quakers’ Friars.
The tour will end in the bold, new, breathtaking Cabot Circus shopping complex with its free-floating glass roofs.
Lunch and tea to be arranged but members can bring picnics if they wish.
For events that need to be booked (not evening talks etc) bookings should be sent to Juliet Shipman, Rose Cottage, The Street, Eastcombe, Glos GL6 7DN.
We have a summer programme of visits and talks, and a winter programme of talks, plus a special Christmas event each year... 
