Hastings and Rother Decorative and Fine Arts Society - June 13

OUR last lecture of the year is on Monday, June 16 and the title is Pearls before Swine? The Story Of A Royal Necklace, given by Jane Kelsall BA(Hons).

We will hear about the long and interesting journey of a magnificent pearl necklace from its beginnings as a wedding present from Pope Clement VII to his niece, Catherine de Medici, who became Queen of France.

She later gave it to her daughter-in-law Mary Queen of Scots. Acquired by Queen Elizabeth, it passed down - in a roundabout way - through the British royal family, until careless wording in Queen Charlotte's will caused a lengthy legal battle over its ownership between Queen Victoria and the King of Hanover, her uncle.

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Now Queen Elizabeth II wears some of the Hanover Pearls, as they are now called. But where are the others? Jane Kelsall has asked if the ladies of the audience would like to wear their pearls to her lecture as an opportunity for them to be seen.

Jane Kelsall is a freelance lecturer in Fine Arts. A Graduate in English and History and Honorary Guide at St Alban's Cathedral for 28 years. She studied Art and Sculpture at St Alban's College of Art.

We wish our members an enjoyable Summer break, hopefully with some sunshine, and a reminder that our next programme starts on September 15with a fascinating subject title - It will Never Show! Designing Historical Costumes for Film and TV, by Anna Buruma.

Not one to miss!

We meet at the Arthur Easton Centre in the grounds of St Michael's Hospice, Upper Maze Hill, St Leonards-on-Sea on the third Monday in every month (except July and August) at 2.30pm. Tea is served after the lectures. New members are always welcome as are visitors (4.50 per visit).

Details of future lectures can be obtained by telephoning the membership secretary, Glenis Malone, on 435629 or e-mail: [email protected]"