On a warm, sunny Monday morning in August, 38 members set out by coach to visit Longford Castle near Salisbury. As we rounded  the bend in the drive up to the Castle we were met with a very impressive sight. You could be forgiven for thinking that you had been transported to a beautiful French chateau. Begun by the Elizabethans and extended by the Victorians the house has a most arresting shape, especially as you enter the Triangular Hall. However, the real splendour is certainly within. Touring the building with expert guides we were drawn into the exceptional quality of the furniture and artwork collected by the ancestors of the Earl of Radnor whose home it is today. Unlike many of our stately homes and palaces, its most charming quality was the personal feeling of a real ‘home’ where all its family treasurers were enjoyed and highly valued for themselves. 

The house has a very special relationship with the National Gallery. Some extremely important paintings remain on display at Longford and equally some from Longford are on loan to the National Gallery. Many Gainsborough portraits of the family abound throughout the house. Our guides deserve a very special mention for we were consistently drawn into observing and voicing our opinions and thoughts. The portraiture was truly a feast and included not only Gainsborough but van Dyck and Reynolds to name but a few.

If I had to choose some very special treasures personally, I would definitely love to own the 17th century skating scene by Hendrick Avercamp. It reminded me of Lowry and I felt completely drawn into it. Seeing it hanging in the The Round Parlour, full of light, with exquisite furniture, some made with a rounded back to fit the room, was a moving experience.  Sadly I had to be satisfied with a postcard!

Thank you Longford for a most memorable visit and such a warm welcome.

 Anna Sketchley.

It was quite a co-incidence that the day chosen for members of TASS to visit the Houses of Parliament and have a Q and A session with our local MP – Paul Holmes was also the day when Sir Keir Starmer resigned and Andy Burnham was sworn in. Those dramas aside, we were all very thankful for an air conditioned coach and despite a 6.45a.m. start and the very best efforts of our driver, the traffic into London was abysmal and resulted in us arriving late for our meeting with our guide Diane in Westminster Hall. She gave us a whistlestop but comprehensive tour through the Hall pointing our specifically the New Dawn window over the North Door celebrating Women’s Suffrage with the light from the Thames changing the highlights constantly. Diane also directed us to the Houses and Divisions and gave us interpretations of the archaic language, titles and traditions in use which indicate both our history and heritage.  She then handed us over to Paul Holmes who had booked a Committee Room for our use, another piece of history to digest, as we hear of various committees but have no idea that they have specific rooms for their use!  Paul gave us a brief resume of his career and then took questions and regardless of ones political persuasions his grasp of affairs across a broad range of subjects was most impressive. After lunch we met up with our coach outside Victoria Tower Gardens and our delightful driver again had to negotiate horrendous London traffic to get us back to Titchfield by 5.30p.m. A long but fascinating day!

Sue Chopping