MOLESEY AND DISTRICT ANTIQUES SOCIETY

Molesey and District Antiques Society

The Society meets at the Vera Fletcher Hall on the first Tuesday of the month, 7.45 pm for 8 pm. An interesting talk is guaranteed! Visitors are welcome - pay £5 on the door. Members are welcome to bring items of interest to lectures (a limit of two per person please) for discussion or possible valuation. However, The Society cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage which may occur. For further information, contact Chairman Angela Haine on 020 8398 5812, press officer John Lyon on 020 8398 3396, or Mrs. Gerry Mitchell, 28 Weston Park, Thames Ditton KT7 0HL tel. 0208 224 0633.

Music boxes

Laurence Fisher gave the members of the Society a fascinating talk on 2 October. Laurence, now Head of the Music Department at Bonhams, brought with him several music boxes and explained in great detail the making of such boxes, from larger ones too heavy for lady members to carry, to smaller ones that could fit into a matchbox - one of which not only played a tune but acted as a tiny vinaigrette and gave a sweet smell when you lifted the lid!

Laurence finished his talk with a singing bird in a cage (photo right) - a stuffed bird that opened its beak as it sang, and wagged its tail, to the delight of the audience. After coffee, Laurence answered questions with great enthusiasm and expertise.

This was the first talk of the new season. Further talks are scheduled - see below.

TALK: 25 YEARS OF THE ANTIQUES ROADSHOW
Tuesday 6th November 2007 at 8.00 pm

Until his retirement, Christopher Lewis was the long-serving executive producer of the BBC's Antiques Roadshow. This evening he will be giving us an introduction to the origins and subsequent history of this long lasting television programme, with video clips from the programme's archives and many backstage stories. It should be a fascinating evening!

TALK: THE HISTORY OF CLOWNS
Tuesday 4th December 2007 at 8.00 pm

Mary Greenslade has taught drama, run weekend workshops and produced plays for a children's theatre for many years. Tonight she is going to talk and show slides about one of her favourite subjects - the history of clowns and the Commedia dell'Arte.
Mulled Wine & Mince Pies! This is our early Christmas evening when we serve mulled wine, mince pies and much more, for which we have to charge an extra £4.00 per person. Soft drinks and coffee will also be served.

TALK: ENGLISH POTTERY
Tuesday 8th January 2008 at 8.00 pm

Jonathan Horne is one of the leading British dealers in the field of early English pottery. This evening he will talk about English pottery from prehistoric times up to circa 1830. It should be a most informative and entertaining evening.

TALK: TATE BRITAIN
Tuesday 5th February 2008 at 8.00 pm

Peter Scott is a guide/lecturer at both Tate Britain and Tate Modern. He is also a busy WEA tutor. In this talk he will be speaking on the subject of the history and highlights of one of London's best-loved art galleries - Tate Britain.

TALK: HISTORY OF ENGLISH FURNITURE
Tuesday 4th March 2008 at 8.00 pm
David Embling has worked in Furniture Restoration for over 40 years. English furniture is a passion with him and in this talk he will be sharing his enthusiasm for and knowledge of the subject with us. It should be a fascinating evening.

TALK: BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE NATIONAL TRUST
Tuesday 1st April 2008 at 8.00 pm

Andrew McElwee had a career as a surveyor but later worked as a property manager at Polesden Lacey where he lived on the premises. His talk promises to be filled with witty anecdotes about life behind the scenes at one of the National Trust's busier properties.