Advance notice that the A.GM. of the English Branch which will be on 4th. May next in the Old Hall Hotel, Buxton (below)

 

The 15th. A.G.M. of the English Branch of the Society will be held on the afternoon of Saturday 4th. May 2013 which is part of a Bank Holiday weekend. Appropriately it will be held in the Old Hall Hotel in Buxton where Marie stayed on five recorded occasions during August 1573 and July 1584 to "Take the waters". The meeting will be held in the Shrewsbury Room which is in the Tudor part of the building, with vaulted ceiling, and which was most likely known and used by Marie.In recent months there as been an added attraction of interest to us. A document in the Portland Papers at Longleat reproduces messages, poems and sketches etc. which had been scratched onto glass windows in the Old Hall (or the New Hall as it was then known) during the period when Marie was in Buxton. There are 39 "window writings" in all, 16 of which are believed to have been written by Marie. It is thought that the document faithfully reproduces the written texts, and was made by Michael Hicks, Secretary to Lord Burghley. The facsimile has been made on specially produced "restoration glass" and now hangs in the hallway of the Old Hall Hotel.

The formal AGM will be followed by a talk given by Patrick Chapman who will outline the visits of Marie to Buxton and discuss in detail the "window writings".

Depending on building work, which in itself is of great interest, it may be possible for small groups to be taken into the sub-cellars in which there is a direct link to the spa waters, and is probably where Marie took the waters.

Accommodation is available at the Old Hall Hotel (www.oldhallhotelbuxton.co.uk OR 01298 22841) and there is a b/b close by in Grosvenor House (grosvenorhouse-buxton@btopenworld.com or 01298 72439).

It would be helpful if those wishing to attend could indicate to the Chairman of the English Branch, Meg Langton if they will be attending this meeting.