Two of Bath’s most influential Georgian ladies feature in the programme of events just published for Bath Preservation Trust between now and May this year. One is a special exhibition called Being Caroline which explores the life of William Herschel’s sister and opens at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy in April.
The other features Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon, who built a chapel to fight the decadence of Bath. Now the home of the Building of Bath Collection, this building remains the only complete 18th century Gothic Revival building in Bath.
These and other events feature in the list of forthcoming attractions for No 1 Royal Crescent, the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Building of Bath Collection and Beckford Tower.
The full list is given below.
14 February – 5 May 2014
Saving Bath 80 Years of Building Conservation
What was saved, what was lost and what challenges are yet to come? Explore the history of building conservation in Bath as we mark the 80th anniversary of the creation of Bath Preservation Trust in 1934. Free with normal admission.
No 1 Royal Crescent
15 February – 30 November 2014
Special Exhibition 2014
Modelling the Buildings of Bath
To commemorate the skill of model maker Rosalind Hudson who died in 2013 we bring together her extraordinary models that capture the details and design of architecture in Bath.
Building of Bath Collection
www.buildingofbathcollection.org.uk
Saturday 8 March
11.00am-1.00pm
Georgian objects handling
Examine original period artefacts close up and discover their history, including an ornate fan and a gentleman’s writing box. Suitable for age 7+. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free with normal admission.
No 1 Royal Crescent
Saturday 8 March
7.15pm at BRSLI. Tickets £5, students £4
The William Herschel Society Lecture 2014: David Hughes on Astronomy and Art
Dr David Hughes is an Emeritus Professor of Astronomy at the University of Sheffield and writes on asteroids, comets, meteorites and meteoroids.
14 – 23 March
Bright Stars
Free with normal admission
A mini exhibition of work by pupils of The Royal High School as part of National Science and Engineering Week.
Herschel Museum of Astronomy
15 March – 26 October 2014
Special Exhibition: Views of Lansdown Tower
Shortly after William Beckford died in 1844 the book Views of Lansdown Tower was published revealing the extraordinary building, interiors and collection he had created at his Tower in Bath. This exhibition brings together the original watercolours of these views for the first time in the distinctive building that they illustrate.
Beckford’s Tower
Tuesday 18 March
Lecture: Pulling the plug on Bath
6.30pm Tickets £5, students £4 on door
Architectural writer and broadcaster Jonathan Glancey follows up his successful BBC Radio 4 programme The Politics of Architecture by discussing the impact of politics on the design of mass housing in England and the future of housing in Bath.
Building of Bath Collection
www.buildingofbathcollection.org.uk
Saturday 29 March
All Areas Tours at Beckford’s Tower
Want to know what lies behind the door at the Top of the Tower? Book onto our monthly all areas tour to see the parts the public normally can’t reach!
11,00am and 2.00pm
Tickets £10. Limited to 6 per tour so booking is essential
To book contact beckford@bptrust.org.uk 01225 460705
Beckford’s Tower
Wednesday 2 April
Lecture: Views of Lansdown Tower
6.00pm at Beckford’s Tower. £5 on door
To coincide with the exhibition join Tower Curator Amy Frost as she explores the views that revealed Beckford’s immensely private building in Bath to the public for the first time after his death in 1844.
Beckford’s Tower Lecture
Tuesday 8 April
Lecture: Old Buildings New Ideas: Building Preservation Trusts in action
6.30pm Tickets £5, students £4 on door
Whether they have 2 members of 2000, building preservation trusts have been and continue to be essential to the preservation of our built heritage. Join Colin Johns, former Chairman of the UK Association for Building Preservation Trusts, as he highlights how people really can save buildings.
Building of Bath Collection
www.buildingofbathcollection.org.uk
Saturday 12 April
All Areas Tours at Beckford’s Tower
Want to know what lies behind the door at the Top of the Tower? Book onto our monthly all areas tour to see the parts the public normally can’t reach!
11,00am and 2.00pm
Tickets £10. Limited to 6 per tour so booking is essential
To book contact beckford@bptrust.org.uk 01225 460705
Beckford’s Tower
Sunday 13 April
World Heritage Day
Dressing for Success in the Eighteenth Century
Colour and dress cardboard fashion dolls.
Free admission for children.
Herschel Museum of Astronomy
1.00am – 3.00pm
Southcot Burial Ground Open Day
Bottom of Lyncombe Hill, Widcombe.
Bath Preservation Trust owns and manages this hidden oasis in the centre of Bath, a haven for wildlife and history. Follow our Tree Sprite trail and find the magical characters hanging in the trees. Suitable for young children (and the young at heart!). Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Link your visit with a 20 minute stroll along the Kennet and Avon Canal to Sydney Gardens where World Heritage Day celebrations are taking place all day, including an Explosive Easter Eggstravaganza at the Holburne Museum 12noon – 4.00pm!
16 April – 18 December
Special Exhibition: Being Caroline
Free with normal admission
Exploring the life of William Herschel’s sister Caroline: astronomer, amanuensis, musician and housekeeper at 19 New King Street. FamilyTrailavailable.
Herschel Museum of Astronomy
Wednesday 30 April
Lecture: Beckford and the English Family
6.00pm at Beckford’s Tower. £5 on door
Steve McMillan reveals new research into the relationship between Beckford and Edmund English, author of Views of Lansdown Tower.
Beckford’s Tower
3 – 10 May
To coincide with Bath in Fashion festival –Heavenly Accessories, a mini exhibition
A collection of must-haves for the 18th century girl about Bath.
Herschel Museum of Astronomy
Wednesday 7 May
Paint, Powder and Patches
Discover the secrets of the perfect 18th century maquillage. A demonstration of 18th century make-up by Elle Hitchens with accompanying presentation.
2.00 – 3.00pm. Free with normal admission but numbers will be limited. Come early!
Herschel Museum of Astronomy
Thursday 15 May
11.00am
Angel of Death: The story of Smallpox
Prof Gareth Williams of Bristol University takes us through the history of one of the great killers and mutilators in human history, and tells of its eventual defeat by vaccination – which was pioneered and forced into medical practice by Dr. Edward Jenner of Berkeley.
Herschel Museum of Astronomy
Saturday 24 May
All Areas Tours at Beckford’s Tower
Want to know what lies behind the door at the Top of the Tower? Book onto our monthly all areas tour to see the parts the public normally can’t reach!
11,00am and 2.00pm
Tickets £10. Limited to 6 per tour so booking is essential
To book contact beckford@bptrust.org.uk 01225 460705
Beckford’s Tower
Tuesday 27 May
Half term drop-in 10.00am to 12.00pm.
Colourful Comets
Caroline was a renowned Comet Seeker – find out about her work and design and decorate your own comet. For accompanied children aged 5 to 10. £2 per child.
Herschel Museum of Astronomy
Tuesday 27 May
11.00am – 1.00pm
Make a lady’s reticule bag
Georgian ladies carried these small bags containing a handkerchief and calling card. Examine an original 18th century bag to inspire you then create your own simple version and add a coloured tassel.
No 1 Royal Crescent
Thursday 29 May
11.00am -1.00pm
Stencil an 18th Century pattern
Using the patterns on display as inspiration, try decorating a bookmark or greetings card with your choice of coloured paint and stencil.
Suitable for age 3+. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free with normal admission.
Building of Bath Collection
www.buildingofbathcollection.org.uk
New for 2014
The Countess’s Room
In 1765 Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon, built a chapel to fight the decadence of Georgian Bath. Now the home of the Building of Bath Collection, this building remains the only complete 18th century Gothic Revival building in Bath. New for 2014 is a room dedicated to the history of the building and the devoutly determined Lady who created it.
Building of Bath Collection
www.buildingofbathcollection.org.uk
