Bexhill and District CSMA Group

THE talk at this month's club night was given by Sara Berry, who took us Behind the Scenes at the National Gallery. Sara had worked there for 20 years, first as a student and then as head of the photographic department. She was therefore able to show us a very interesting range of slides, demonstrating the activities which are necessary to maintain the precious contents of this national treasure. She also told us something of the history of the gallery.

The national collection started with the acquisition, of 38 old masters from Sir John Julius Angerstein in 1824. These were on display to the public at Angerstein’s house in Pall Mall until the present gallery was built in Trafalgar Square in 1831. A new wing was added in 1876.

During the war it was decided that this precious collection needed protection. It was therefore hidden in a slate mine in North Wales. During the war the gallery was popular for the Beethoven concerts given by Dame Myra Hess.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Some “old masters”, have been found to be forgeries, but modern scientific techniques, such as X-ray photography, infra-red and ultra-violet spectroscopy and electron microscopy, can now yield much more confident authentication.

Our monthly raffle in aid of the Brownbread Horse Rescue continues to be well supported.

Fourteen members of the Lunch Club enjoyed the fare at the, rather interesting, Three Oaks public house in Three Oaks on October 5.

A reminder that the Christmas lunch is at The Woolpack in Herstmonceux on December 7 and our Christmas dinner is at The Cooden Beach Hotel on December 21.

For any further information on events and membership, please contact our Secretary, Tony Calton on 01424 434496 or our chairman, Bryan Adams, on 01323 504046.