Lectures and Activities

The best of Ludlow and Farnham
The Society’s annual Fred Reeves Memorial Lecture contrasts Ludlow’s architecture with one of the finest Georgian towns in the south east of England.
Entitled Ludlow and Farnham: Architectural Excellence in Shropshire and Surrey, it is being given by Jonathan Wood, chairman of the Ludlow Historical Research Group. Wood, who lived in an around Farnham for some years 30, is the author of A Portrait of Farnham, published in 2003.
“There are striking similarities between the two places,” says Jonathan. “Both were planned Norman towns with castles and market places, both are acclaimed for the quality of their buildings and both demolished their Victorian town halls. But there are also great differences, as a commuter town Farnham has suffered architecturally in view of its proximity to London. Ludlow, by contrast, has survived because of its geographical location on the Welsh Marches.” The talk, copiously illustrated with photographs and drawings of some of the best buildings in both towns, is to be held in Oscars, Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Wednesday, February 8th at 7.30pm
Jonathan Wood is a writer and architectural historian. He is chairman of the Ludlow Historical Research Group and author of A Portrait of Farnham, an architectural history of the town.

Wednesday 14th March “Damascus Tiles and the Arts and Crafts Movement.” See picture right: A Damascus Glazed Pottery Tile, Syria, late 16th century, 36cm square approx. from the Collection of Sir Howard Hodgkin):

Architectural tile decoration is one of the most celebrated of the arts of the Islamic world, spreading to almost all countries where the religion predominates. The rich, unfading colours of the glazes provide a sumptuous antidote to the often austere, arid environment. One of the lesser-known centres of tile production is Syria, which during the Mamluk and Ottoman periods, produced some of the most spontaneous and exuberant designs, mostly based on plant forms. These glorious tiles were largely unknown in the west until large quantities became available to nineteenth century visitors to Damascus, most notably Frederic Leighton, the Victorian painter. Several thousand Damascus tiles now adorn his famed Arab Hall in Kensington, which proved hugely influential to architects and designers during the second half of the 19th century.
Arthur Millner. After reading Classics at Cambridge University, Arthur Millner received his training at Sotheby’s, working in the London auction house for nine years. He spent a year in the late 1980s at the SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), gaining an MA in Indian Studies. Until 2008, he ran his own gallery specialising in Indian and Islamic Art in Kensington. As well as working as head of the Indian and Islamic Department at Auction Atrium, the internet auction business based in Kensington, he lectures at the Victoria and Albert Museum and SOAS and writes on the subject for publications, including Hali and World of Interiors.

Wednesday 11th April “Wigmore Abbey”
John Challis is an actor on stage and television.

Wednesday 11th April Annual General Meeting of the Ludlow Civic Society.

All meetings start at 7.30pm and are held in “Oscars” – Mill Street, except for the Forum and Christmas Party which are held at “Palmer’s Hall” – Lower Mill Street.

Civic Society members and all visitors are most welcome to attend.

The Georgian Group remind us of their forthcoming meetings held at the Culmington Village Hall – For more information, please contact the Georgian group or The Civic Society by Email.

Saturday 5th November 2011 from 10.15 until 18.00
Celebration of Shropshire Agriculture

Saturday 2nd November 2011 from 10.15 until 16.15
Conservation Day 11 2011
Environmental Conservation and Sustainability