February is not normally a month we welcome, but it does get us closer to spring, and some of us are fortunate enough to have been vaccinated, so the tunnel seems of finite length. Many members have made a sterling contribution to the national and county effort, and Mark Hurrell’s conversation with one such of us, Dr Andrew Rodgett, features in this newsletter.
In these covid-times the Company’s Court had what is the closest we could manage to an away day last week, a zoom planning meeting, where we all agreed a real desire to resume face-to-face meetings, to meet old friends and new members. Membership numbers are positive, with the very large number of people renewing their membership and new members joining us. We welcome all new members, and feature some in this newsletter. In a wide ranging discussion we also covered the need for an update to the website, issues of equality, diversity and inclusivity, further work with the Cranfield trust and mentoring, and future events.
In its discussions Court kept returning to our membership, and of the need to continually seek views and involve everyone more in the work and direction of the Company. Input and feedback is not always easy to achieve, but would be very welcome. The simplest method these days is an email, direct to the Warden at warden@honcoglos.org . I look forward to hearing from you, and also to the time when we can meet again. Until then, best wishes and please stay safe.
“You may apply for a ticket to attend the lecture virtually through Eventbrite. On the Register page, please select HCG General Admission for your free ticket. You may share the link to the event page with friends in Gloucestershire that you think may be interested.”
Andrew Rodgett, one of our members talks to Mark Hurrell about coming out of retirement to volunteer with the vaccinations.
TRUST NEWS The following three Charities were succesfull with their applications at the last Trust meeting.
We thank CASS for sending the photo and letter.
Website details of the charities
CASS - https://www.cassandfriends.org/
Longborough Festival - https://lfo.org.uk/
Holst Birthplace - holstmuseum.org.uk
Dear Henry,
As you can see we are delighted to have received our grant cheque and you can be rest assured that it will be used wisely to help our Gloucestershire based athletes with buying their much needed kit and receive the necessary coaching. If we are able to gather a few of them together when lockdown is lifted we will pop over to say thank you in person but in the meantime here is a photo and a big thank you for your newsletter.
Very best wishes and have a good day,
‘The Future for Rural Gloucestershire’ by Adam Henson
The 2021 Gloucestershire Lecture will be given by Adam Henson on Thursday the 18th of March; the lecture, which this year is presented in partnership with the Gloucestershire CPRE (Council for the Preservation of Rural England), is entitled ‘The Future for Rural Gloucestershire’. This is particularly timely given the raft of current changes for agriculture, the environment, and rural tourism associated amongst other things with post-Brexit, the Covid pandemic, and the renewed emphasis on the environment and the United Nations COP26 conference being held in the UK this autumn. Adam Henson, pictured below with a Cotswold ram, will be familiar to many, not only as a television presenter on programmes such as the BBC’s Countryfile, but also as the owner of the much-loved Cotswold Farm Park. He is uniquely qualified to talk to us about rural Gloucestershire, and it will be an excellent event. The lecture, which will be available via Zoom, will start at 6pm and will be followed by a question and answer session for all attendees. Details to register are below. It is a public lecture, so let us know of anyone you feel might be interested and whom we might specifically invite.
New Members
Viv Hargreaves has immersed herself in musical education and music making in Gloucestershire since stepping down as a local newspaper editor following a 40year career in journalism. She is currently the chair of Gloucestershire Academy of Music having joined the board of trustees in 2013. Viv is passionate about helping to steer this diverse and inclusive organisation into broadening its reach through new online activities since COVID and seeing the Gloucester HQ grow into an established arts centre. She is also the chair of the county’s Symphony orchestra and the Gloucestershire Young Musician of the Year. She has sat on the boards of the Gloucester Culture Trust and Marketing Gloucester Ltd. Viv is a Deputy Lieutenant and lives in the Forest of Dean.
Loyd Grosman is a well known author, broadcaster and cultural campaigner who has recently moved to Chipping Campden. He is widely experienced and recognised in the arts and heritage world having been involved in local and regional organisations...including Liverpool’s City of Culture and nearer to home Compton Verney . Nationally he has been involved with The Heritage Alliance, the Museums and Galleries Commission, English Heritage and the Royal Commissions on the Historical Monuments of England. He was a founding member of the Museums,Libraries and Archives Council. Loyd is a member of several livery companies and Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars.
“We have just heard the very sad news that Lord Vestey has died. Sam Vestey was a founder member of the HCG and a great supporter of the work of the Company. There will be time to celebrate his life, but now our thoughts and prayers are with the family.”
If you would like to encourage some local charities to apply for a QAVS please consider the guidance on the criteria supplied by Colin Dennis DL
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Successful groups must have existed for at least 3 years and will normally have the following characteristics:
Volunteer Led: volunteers (at least 2) are in the driving seat, setting the direction for the group’s work and spotting opportunities to develop it still further each year.
Exceptional compared with comparable groups: the group is likely to be one of the best of its kind in the country
Making a considerable difference locally: The initiative of the group and the efforts of its volunteers have changed the situation dramatically for its beneficiaries
Well-run: There are high standards of governance, financial management, safeguarding etc.
Outstanding reputation locally: The group has a high standing in the community and has an excellent reputation with beneficiaries, service providers and council officials (if appropriate).
Business Group Interview with Ruth Dooley
Business Group Interview with Alan Johnson
Arts & Heritage Proposed Trips
May 25th Woodchester Mansion
June 29th Cotswold Canal Trust Walk/update at Fromebridge
plus Supper or Refreshments
July 13th Kiftsgate Gardens
All Covid dependant.
Members' Calendar
2021
Thursday 18th March Tuesday 9th November
Gloucestershire Lecture AGM & Supper Lecture
Virtual Details to be confirmed
Speaker: Adam Henson
1800 - 1900
Thursday 16th September
Annual Dinner
Tewkesbury Abbey
Speaker TBC
1900 for 1945-2230
