©National Trust Images/Robin Forster
The theme of this year’s Autumn Visits is ‘craftsmanship,’ as we are invited into the workshops of the Building Crafts College, the creative home of Khadambi Asalache, the medieval barn at Harmondsworth, and the Victorian masterpiece of St Mary Magdalene, Paddington.
Visits are open to members and their guests. Numbers are limited, and demand likely to be high, so please reply on the form posted to you or email membership@ancientmonumentssociety.org.uk. We welcome new members who would like to join us on our visits – simply click here to join now.
575 WANDSWORTH ROAD, LONDON – Thursday 17 October, 75min tour (various times) Khadambi Asalache (1935-2006) was a Kenyan-born poet, novelist, philosopher of mathematics and British civil servant. He bought no. 575, a modest, early 19th century house, in 1981 and turned his home into a work of art, carving reclaimed wood into fragile decoration. Acquired by the National Trust in 2010, visitor numbers are strictly limited and tickets often sell out fast. We have a special opportunity to view the house outside of normal opening hours. Please note: visitors must bring slippers or socks to protect the hand-painted floors.
£20 per person to include a tour in groups of 6, and a cup of tea
HARMONDSWORTH BARN, HILLINGDON – Thursday 31 October, 1:30pm
The barn at Harmondsworth was built in 1425–7, remained in agricultural use until the 1970s and was bought by English Heritage in 2011. The largest intact medieval timber-framed barn in England – called a ‘cathedral’ by Sir John Betjeman – is the subject of a recent publication by AMS Trustee, Dr Edward Impey, who will lead our visit. Its location next to Heathrow Airport raises important conservation issues in the face of plans for a third runway. Please wrap up warm: bring a scarf and gloves.
£12 per person to include a guided visit followed by tea and biscuits.
© Derek Kendall for Historic England
BUILDING CRAFTS COLLEGE, STRATFORD, LONDON – Thursday 7 November, 11am
Founded by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters in 1893, the Building Crafts College has a long tradition of offering high quality education in practical building crafts, such as stonemasonry and carpentry, and in building conservation. The college trains around 500 students each year, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds. We have been invited to tour the purpose-built workshops, home to the college since 2001, and see the next generation of heritage craftsmen and women at work.
£12 per person to include introductory talk, guided tour and refreshments
ST MARY MAGDALENE, PADDINGTON, LONDON – Thursday 14 November, 1:30pm
The grade I listed church of St Mary Magdalene by the Regent’s Canal in Paddington was on the Heritage at Risk Register and in real danger for many years. Designed by G.E. Street in the 1860s-70s, it is just emerging from a £7mil rescue scheme part-funded by the NLHF. With Oliver Caroe, Conservation Architect, we will see the painted ceiling of the nave conserved by Cliveden Conservation, the new addition to the site by Dow Jones Architects, and the ongoing challenges posed by the Comper chapel.
£16 per person to include an introductory talk, guided tour and afternoon tea
For your diary…AMS ANNUAL LECTURE by SIMON BRADLEY of PEVSNER GUIDES
THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, BURLINGTON HOUSE – Tuesday 19 November
The winner of the AMS Stephen Croad Essay Prize will be announced at our inaugural Annual Lecture. Open to the wider heritage sector; tickets will be on sale via the AMS website from 1 October 2019.