Lucy Benjamin, Guildford panto star Q&A

Liz Nicholls

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Oxfordshire

We chat to EastEnders star, actor Lucy Benjamin who stars as Cinderella’s Wicked Step Mum in the Yvonne Arnaud’s pantomime this year.

Hello Lucy! What’s your first memory of pantomime?

“My first memory of panto, is back when I was five or maybe six when my Grandma took me to Camberley to see Jim Davidson playing Buttons in Cinderella. I even remember getting a merchandise pen! This was a bloomin’ long time ago!”

Q. What are your earliest memories of TV and what’s your favourite soap nowadays?

“I remember watching Bagpuss, Mr Benn, Camberwick Green and Trumpton; I was an avid TV watcher even from a very early age. My fave soap is currently EastEnders because I’ve just been back on the square and got right back into watching it.”

Q. Who was your hero growing up? And now?

“My mum was my hero growing up and still is now. Mums are the best!”

Q. How do you feel about this production of Cinderella?

“I’m delighted to be playing The Wicked Step Mum in Cinderella this year and stepping into the Uglies’ shoes, as there’s nothing more fulfilling than to be playing a baddie, when I’ve spent a lot of my panto years being the goodie. Bring it on!”

Q. Who is the ‘baddest’ pantomime and soap villain of all time?

“I remember performing alongside Kate Omara in Dick Whittington in Dartford one year and realising that it was probably one of the best and sexiest panto villains I’d ever seen. My favourite soap baddie has to be Dirty Den in EastEnders… Phil Mitchell can give him a run for his money though too!”

Q. What is the weirdest or most touching piece of fanmail you have received?

“The weirdest fan thing that’s ever happened to me was that a woman once turned up at stage door at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton during panto season and proceeded to show me a tattoo she’d had done on her thigh of my face! I think she went on to truly regret it, as you would.”

Q. Do you love Christmas and what does the festive season look like in your household?

“I love the Christmas holidays and all the food and drink that goes with being with the family over an extended time. Although I do find cooking Christmas dinner very stressful.”

Q. What’s your favourite piece of music and who’s your favourite singer?

“My favourite artist at the moment is Labi Siffre and the track Lying, Laughing, Loving, Crying.”

Q. What is your favourite book?

“My favourite book as a child was always The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton, and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, which ignited my love of reading for the rest of my life!”

Q. What do you most love about Berkshire & Bucks and how was it as a place to grow up?

“I went to Redroofs Theatre School in Maidenhead from the age of nine to 17, so have very fond memories of spending many of my formative years in Berkshire. I was also born in Reading, so I have a very local connection.”

Q. How about Surrey – will you and the cast & crew go out in Guildford during the production run?

“I’m sure there will be a little bit of socialising with the cast and crew during the panto run, but trust me, doing two shows a day is no mean feat!”

Q. What advice would you have for any youngsters who are interested in acting?

“My advice to any youngsters wanting to go into acting is to pursue your dreams, but always make sure you have an education to fall back on in order to give you as many strings to your bow as possible if things don’t work out. It’s a tough old business.”

Q. Finally, if you could make one wish for the world, what would it be?

“I’m no Greta Thunberg, so my best (cheesy) answer to this question, is for everyone that can or is able to, to come and see our fabulous panto at the Yvonne Arnaud this year and make the most of the festive period! You won’t be disappointed!

You’re all invited to the ball! Cinderella, 2nd December to 7th January: book your tickets at Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

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Graeme Hall, AKA The Dogfather Q&A

Round & About

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Wantage Literary Festival has lots of lovely highlights to enjoy between 21st October & 4th November, including Graeme Hall. Liz Nicholls asked him a few questions…

Q. Hello Graeme! You have great energy on telly… Are you naturally bouncy & positive or do you have to work on this?

“I think it’s the way I am. Some days more than others, like everyone. I love what I do though, so I’m sure that helps.

Q. If you were a dog, what kind would you be?

“My partner says I’m a boxer. She says because ‘I’m silly and loveable’. She missed out handsome… and modest. Obvs :)”

Q. And if you could live as any breed of dog in any home or environment, what would you choose!?

“A Boxer dog in my partner’s house before we met. I’m not saying he’s spoilt, but…”

Q. I’ve read that you became a dog-lover in your 40s & weren’t raised in a doggie house – is this true?

“Yes and no. I’ve always loved dogs but mum and dad were busy working people so it was always deemed it wouldn’t be fair on the dog. It took me a few years before the conditions were right for me to have my own.”

Q. What lessons do you think lockdown taught us about our relationships with our dogs?

“We have a generation of dogs affected by a lack of socialisation at a key period of their development. The evidence suggests we may not have seen the worst of this yet. So the key message for the future reiterates what experts have said for a long time: you can not over-stress the importance of early socialisation.”

Q. Are you surprised by your career pivot & what would the young Graeme say about it?

“I’m sure young Graeme would be surprised I ended up as a dog trainer because when I left uni I didn’t even own a dog. That said, I’ve always believed there are times to think with your head and times to think with your heart. I chose a university course with my heart, and I chose a new career path because it’s something I was passionate about. It wasn’t necessarily sensible some might say, but so far it’s working out well for me.”

Q. And you are so in demand – do people accost you much when you’re out and about?

“Rarely a day goes by that somebody doesn’t stop me in the street to share some kind words. It’s a privilege, how often do most of us have strangers compliment us on our work? Perhaps it should be more common for everyone! I once got asked if I wear tweed to bed (I don’t, for the record).”

Q. We are a nation of dog-lovers. What cliche would like to quash to help us all to be better dog parents?

” ‘A waggy tail means a happy dog’. Often, yes but not always: a waggy tail is a sign of excitement and not all flavours of excitement are happy ones. A tail that’s wagging attached to a dog who is bouncy and flopping is usually a good sign (I call it whole body wag).

A rigid dog, looking through the corner of his eye with a slowly swishing tail might be something to be wary of, depending on the dog.”

Q. Do you genuinely believe you can help ‘any dog, any age, any problem’?

“Help, yes. Perform a miraculous transformation, not always. But even now after thousands of cases I’m still surprised what you can do, even in a short time”

Q. What’s your favourite book?

“Surprisingly perhaps it’s not about dogs. I’m currently reading a book about Donald Campbell, the world land and water speed record holder. He’s a special interest of mine.”

Q. What’s the most common mistake owners make when it comes to their dogs?

“Forgetting to praise them when they’re good.”

Q. Were you always well dressed & interested in style?

“I think I was. My mum has a black and white photo of me somewhere as a toddler wearing a suit for a special occasion. It’s hard to tell, but it looks as though it may have been tweed.”

Q. Is there any useful gadget or bit of dog kit that you couldn’t be without?

“The made-to-measure dog box for the car. It keeps the dogs safe, secure and comfortable. I covered over 200,000 miles with my last one. And it doesn’t rattle. Happy days!”

Q. Finally, if you could make one wish for the world, what would it be?

“Maybe we could learn a lesson from dogs. They famously live in the moment and don’t hold a grudge. The world would be a better place if we were all like that, don’t you think…?

Book your tickets (£15/£10 students) for Graeme Hall in Conversation with Lin Lawson, 8pm on Friday, 3rd November, at The Beacon. Visitors will be able to enjoy ‘The Dog Father’ and presenter of Channel 5’s smash hit show Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly at Wantage Literary Festival for a second year. Hear Graeme’s hilarious and heart-warming stories of training dogs all over the country, and get the opportunity to ask him anything about your beloved canine friend. Book your tickets for this & more at Wantage Literary Festival.

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National Trust restores Oxfordshire fen

Karen Neville

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Oxfordshire

Rangers and volunteers have been clearing and restoring an area of alkaline fen to aid endangered species such as a tiny rare snail

A team of rangers and volunteers have been scything reeds in a plan to restore an area of alkaline fen at Pea Pits in West Oxfordshire. Fenland is one of Britain’s most threatened and precious homes for rare plants and wildlife. The National Trust is working with Freshwater Habitats Trust who provided the tools and scythe training to protect this internationally important habitat.

Most people associate fenland with the lowlands of East Anglia and are unaware that alkaline fens are also a special feature of the Oxfordshire countryside. The fens in Oxfordshire are fed by springs emerging from chalk or limestone in valleys and on hill slopes.

Alkaline fens support many wetland plants that are rare or endangered nationally or in the county such as the carnivorous butterwort, grass-of-Parnassus, marsh helleborine and marsh lousewort.

Endangered insects include species of soldier-fly, horsefly and damselfly, while molluscs include the Desmoulin’s whorl-snail. This is the tiny rare snail the size of a pinhead that almost stopped the Newbury Bypass being built in 1996 when the construction was set to destroy its habitat.

The work party cleared back trees and reeds at Pea Pits to give the rare plants some light. The cuttings were used to create dams to slow down water flow and create pools. The team also planted marsh lousewort to stop the dominant reeds taking up the majority of light. Marsh lousewort does this by finding another plant’s roots underground and extracting water and nutrients from the ‘host’ plant. This parasitic action weakens the reeds, allowing a diversity of other, more delicate plants to come through.

Whilst the marsh lousewort is establishing, the National Trust will continue to cut the reeds and scrub in the late summer and, if funding and a suitable grazier can be found, may eventually fence the area and graze it with cattle. Rest assured, if the vanishingly rare Newbury bypass snail makes an appearance at Pea Pits, it will have a safe home.

Richard Watson, Countryside Manager, West Oxfordshire said: “It’s great to see this quiet corner of the estate being brought back to life. It is the only Fen site we look after in West Oxfordshire, so it’s a really important habitat. It’s been great to work with the Freshwater Habitats Trust on expertise and training for our staff and volunteers to take on the management of the site.”

Paola Perez, Fen Conservation Officer at Freshwater Habitats Trust said: “Along with other small freshwater habitats, alkaline fens have traditionally been overlooked, but they support a unique community of plant and animal species.

“Restoring and protecting these rare alkaline fen habitats is a vital part of our work to reverse the decline in freshwater biodiversity. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with the National Trust to restore the alkaline fen at Coleshill and are very grateful to their volunteers for all their hard work.”

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Royal approval for theatre special

Round & About

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Having only ever watched amateur dramatic performances of The King and I, I was unsure what to expect from the professional production and I was pleasantly surprised.

Firstly, I was surprised by the scale of the show. There’s a large cast, impressive staging and scenery and multiple costume changes. Whilst on the subject of scale, the creative team and production team were also vast and deserve high credit for the work they put into the show.

“There were a multitude of stunning dresses and the attention to detail was staggering”

Secondly, the quality of the dancing was divine. The ensemble dancing was incredibly slick and well synchronised. During the longer dance sequences, the audience was captured in the moment and the feeling of admiration was felt throughout the theatre.

Whilst talking about quality, I must mention the quality of the vocals. Yes you expect singing of a high standard in a professional production but this standard was maintained across the leading cast members as well as the ensemble. I must mention in particular, the soprano singers who delivered vocals of pure class.

Of course we’re not allowed to take pictures during the performance but I was blown away by some of the costumes. There were a multitude of stunning dresses and the attention to detail was staggering. I particularly enjoyed how the costumes complimented each other within certain groups of the cast such as the King’s wives and the royal children.

One of my favourite aspects of the performance was the younger members of the cast who were just charming. Whilst only having a small amount of lines and stage positioning to remember, they all did so well and were so professional throughout their performance.

“You could feel that the whole theatre was smiling”

I can’t finish this review without mentioning the orchestra. From the moment the introductory music began, I knew we were in for a treat. Too often the orchestra does not get a mention but they play a huge part in a theatre production. Sadly a lot of productions are now using more and more soundtracks but this does not have the same impact as live music. To watch a production with a full orchestra, provided a full authentic theatre experience.

The King and I was a fantastic production that enabled the audience to explore a range of feelings and emotions through the wonderful storytelling. There were moments of endearing humour that left you smiling and you could feel that the whole theatre was smiling then there were moments of sadness as members of the audience dug out their tissues. As the exit music played, there was a buzz throughout the theatre as the audience members started to leave talking about what a wonderful production we had just had the pleasure of watching.

Book Tickets

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Sale e Pepe’s iconic Italian recipes

Liz Nicholls

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Oxfordshire

With neighbourhood trattoria Sale e Pepe recently being given a complete refurb ahead of its 50th anniversary next year, we’re saving up a taste of la dolce vita for those seeking a fresh at-home recipes to keep those summer vibes going!

The Knightsbridge staple invites lovers of traditional Italian food to take their hand at their classic dishes. Ideal for hosting across the summer period, the illustrious restaurant has always attracted a jet-setting crowd, loved by the likes of Rod Stewart, Sir Roger Moore, Priscilla Presley and Ringo Starr.

Sale E Pepe prides itself in serving the very produce, try your hand at their infamous Costaletta di Vileto Milanaise – pan-fried veal chop with breadcrumbs which is signature to the Lombardy region or the Camparian Linguine all’ Aragosta – Linguine with lobster, cherry tomatoes, basil and garlic. Opt for a more light dish of Insalata di Granchio – crab and avocado salad with tomato concassé, spring onions, chives and lemon dressing, bringing the Italian summer to the table.

Costaletta di Vileto Milanaise

Ingredients:
• 500g one bone in veal cutlets about 3/4 thick, trimmed or you can ask the butcher to make flattened for you than will be easier to prepare at home,
• Three eggs
• 100gm breadcrumbs granules
• 80 gm all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 240g clarified butter (recipe is mentioned below)
• One lemon, quartered

Method:
1. Make two or three cuts on the edges of cutlet to keep them from curling up as they cook
2. Heat the clarified butter over medium high heat. The secret to cooking the meat is to cook it quickly at a very high temperature to seal the outside and create a crunchy breading while keeping the inside moist and juicy.
3. Whisk the eggs and place them in a shallow pan
4. Place each first into the flour, then the eggs bath and then finally the breadcrumbs as you go to ensure that they don’t fall off
5. Fry the cutlet for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, then remove to a plate lined with paper towels and allow the extra butter to drain off
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then place on a baking sheet

Linguine all’ Aragosta

Ingredients:
• 600g Canadian lobster
• 80g linguine pasta
• 120g red cherry tomato
• 5g fresh basil leaves
• 18g garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 45ml white wine
• 28ml extra virgin olive oil
• 5g mix micro herbs (optional)

Method:
1. Cover the bottom of a large frying pan with olive oil, chopped garlic, basil leaves and fry your cherry tomatoes together. Add stock, black pepper and fry for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally
2. Add the lobster tail and chunks and fry for 1 minute
3. Add the dry white wine and make sure to cook all the alcohol out and reduce until the sauce has thickened slightly
4. Cook your linguine or spaghetti in a LARGE pot of rapidly boiling salted water. Stir the pasta regularly and cook until al dente almost 5 to 6 minutes and using your spaghetti spoon lift, the cooked pasta out of the pot, allow the water to drain off and add it spoonful by spoonful straight into the pan of lobster pasta sauce
5. Toss well and serve garnished with the micro herbs

(Insalata di Granchio) crab & avocado salad

Ingredients:
• 45g diced tomatoes
• 85g freshly handpicked crab meat
• One ripe avocado
• 30ml fresh lime juice
• 55ml extra virgin oil
• 5g chipped chives
• 5g spring onion
• 1 gram or pinch of chilli powder
• Sea salt & pepper as per taste

Method:
1. First in a small bowl mix together avocado cubes, lime juice, diced tomato, chives, olive oil, salt & pepper, mix well and set aside.
2. Then repeat the same process and add crab meat, lime juice, diced tomato, chilli powder, chopped chives, spring onion, olive oil, salt & pepper, mix well and set aside.
3. Take a flat base plate, place the round shape ring in a centre and add avocado layer and add crab mixture for second layer up, garnish with olive oil & chopped chives.


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Theatre: The Making of Mary Shelley

Round & About

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Jonathan Lovett tells us about a fascinating new play about Mary Shelley landing at Norden Farm in Maidenhead on Thursday, 12th October, as part of a UK tour

Conception: Mary Shelley – the Making of a Monster celebrates the incredible life of Mary Shelley on the 200th anniversary of the first edition of Frankenstein to bear her name.

This latest production by feminist theatre company CLAIR/OSCUR focuses on the return of Mary to Lake Geneva, the birthplace of her most famous novel. Haunted by the ghosts of her husband, Percy Shelley, Lord Byron and others from that infamous ‘year without a summer’ she embarks on a voyage of self-discovery resulting in a brutal confrontation with the very creation that made her name.

Unlike Frankenstein the life of Mary Shelley is not so well known… and yet it reads like the plot of one of her tragic, Gothic novels. Suffering three infant deaths and one miscarriage that almost killed her she then lost the love of her life, Percy, drowned in a yachting accident, in her early 20s.

Deserted by friends and with little money or means to support her one surviving son, she was known as the widow of Percy and some even questioned whether he was the author of Frankenstein. And yet, in the face of a misogynistic, critical society, this single mother went on to write a further eight novels, more than 50 short stories and essays and even, in a typically selfless act, brought together her husband’s writings in a complete works edition that made Percy’s name.

The play’s writer and star Deborah Clair says: “In Mary Shelley’s day society dictated the need for women to be wives. If not, the other paths were decidedly perilous: spinster, divorced, widow, harlot… corpse,” said “Mary was completely off-grid with her choices – elopement, travel, children out of wedlock, a thinker and writer. Her life straddled two eras – Romantic and Victorian – and the latter really didn’t know what to do with her!”

As well as playing the role of Mary, Deborah is director of CLAIR/OBSCUR, a female led-theatre company dedicated to placing inspiring women of the past centre-stage. Conception is directed by Lucy Speed who starred in EastEnders and The Bill and is currently playing Stella in The Archers.

Conception is being performed at the Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead on Thursday, 12th October at 8pm as part of a national tour. For ticket details visit Conception: Mary Shelley – The Making of a Monster : Norden Farm Centre for the Arts.

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Keeping adoptive siblings in care together

Round & About

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Adoption agencies across the UK, including Parents And Children Together (PACT) have joined forces to keep brothers and sisters together.

Voluntary adoption agencies across the UK have come together with a joint mission to stop brothers and sisters who are waiting in care from being separated when adopted.

Almost half of children currently waiting in care* are part of a family group and voluntary adoption agencies (VAAs) are looking for people who can offer them a permanent and loving home.

Thames Valley-based Parents And Children Together (PACT) is among 23 VAAs from all over the UK who have together created a guide for people considering adoption containing helpful information and advice from parents who have already adopted sibling groups.

Lorna Hunt of PACT said: “The impact on children in care who are separated their brothers and sisters to enable them to find a permanent family is huge and causes anxiety and loss for children who have already experienced a difficult start in life. Yet so few people feel equipped or able to consider adopting a sibling group of three, or even four children.

“We are excited to be a part of this project sharing first-hand, heartfelt experience and advice from families who have already done this incredible thing of adopting a sibling pair or group.”

VAAs are specialists in finding families for children who wait the longest in care. They work in partnership with local authorities to find families for children waiting for a permanent home. VAAs are independent, not-for-profit organisations who have intensive services to provide families with vital support both when the children are placed and into the future.

Maggie Jones, chief executive of the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies (CVAA) which represents VAAs across the country said: “Brother and sisters who are adopted together are often the only constant thing in each other’s lives in times of huge upheaval, loss and trauma. The voluntary adoption sector are specialists in finding families for sibling groups and being there for them with bespoke packages of support for as long as its needed.”

“Brother and sisters who are adopted together are often the only constant thing in each other’s lives in times of huge upheaval, loss and trauma!”

Download a copy of the advice guide Adoption agencies join forces to keep brothers and sisters together.

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Windsor Designs Live a success!

Round & About

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After a successful first event, all eyes are now on the next Windsor Designs Live on Saturday 7th October. There’s still time to book your place.

Thinking of building a new home? Or extending, remodelling or refurbishing your home or garden?

Then Windsor Designs Live is for you! The goal of the event is to help take some of the stress out of the process of creating or transforming your home, to alleviate any worries or concerns you may have, and for you to be inspired.

You can book a meeting with up to eight consultants and suppliers completely free of charge, without any obligation. You’ll be able to ask questions, get free advice and become more knowledgeable.

Experts including an architect, interior designer and a landscape designer. There will be a furniture designer and manufacturer, a builder and decorator plus consultants in planning, energy and smart homes. Pre-booking is recommended by following this link.

The venue for Windsor Designs Live 2023 is The Education Centre at the architecturally inspiring Thames Hospice, overlooking Bray Lake. Complimentary refreshments are available throughout the day. The address is, Thames Hospice, Windsor Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2DN. For more information on how to find the venue please follow this link.

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Greyhound team are AA gold winners

Liz Nicholls

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Oxfordshire

Congratulations to the team at The Greyhound Inn in Letcombe Regis who have earned two rosettes and a four-star gold award plus a breakfast award in the latest AA Hospitality Awards.

Catriona Galbraith and the rest of the trusty Greyhound team know how it feels to be on the receiving end of warm praise, having won the loyalty of locals and visitors as well as a galaxy of awards including CAMRA pub of the year.

But an extra serving of praise goes to them all today, including Head Chef Martyn Sherriff and Sous Chef Attila Fulop, for winning two rosettes and a four-star gold award after a visit from discerning AA inspectors.

Catriona tells us: “Since opening almost eight years ago, The Greyhound Inn has strived to offer our guests a dining experience that will make them want to return again and again. Without being pretentious or formal, we look after our guests in a friendly and efficient way and serve food that we are extremely proud of. Receiving this award from the AA of two rosettes, on top of an entry in the Good Food Guide earlier this year, demonstrates our team’s commitment to creating a memorable experience for our guests which, to us, is the point of having a hospitality business.”

“Without being pretentious or formal, we look after our guests in a friendly and efficient way”

We enjoyed a taste of this award-winning hospitality at the weekend and will serve you a review in our next edition of Round & About, plus details about Christmas and NYE parties.

Meanwhile, book in to enjoy the six-course Autumn Tasting Menu on Thursday, 19th October with a wine flight of specially paired wines. For more details visit The Greyhound Inn or call 01235 771969.

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Cultural Travels from Home: online adventures!

Liz Nicholls

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Oxfordshire

After venturing online during lockdown, Cultural Travels from Home are still flying high and taking happy travellers to far-off destinations virtually with a highlight on 28th September, thanks to art historian Siân Walters

Art tour and event company, Art History in Focus has been much loved by Surrey residents for over 20 years who have regularly followed its impressive programme of local courses and overseas tours around the world. The focus of the company changed however during the Covid pandemic when its director, art historian Siân Walters devised pioneering approach to cultural travel, bringing galleries’ art collections to people at home. At a period when all museums were closed and when people were unable to travel, she worked with directors of many major European art galleries and cultural sites, enabling people to enjoy exclusive, live access to their collections.

Museums at your fingertips

The programme, entitled Cultural Travels from Home, has gone from strength to strength. Led by expert guides and art historians, each tour is live and interactive, with an opportunity to ask questions and spend time savouring details of artworks which cannot be seen with the naked eye, thanks to the high-resolution technology used during the visits. The programme has become particularly popular with art followers who now find it difficult to travel or who are challenged physically, meaning that in-person visits are not so easy. There’s also a sense of friendship and camaraderie: as one regular puts: “I feel as if I have a new ‘art family’!”

Private exhibition visits

Another innovative feature is the exhibition tour programme, enabling viewers to enjoy a private online tour of a major art exhibition, from anywhere in the world. This October, viewers will enjoy an exclusive tour broadcast from a Titian exhibition at the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice, led by its curator. Later in the year there will be a broadcast from the Belvedere in Vienna with a special focus on Gustav Klimt, and a tour of an important upcoming exhibition dedicated to the enduring popular artist Rosalba Carriera and her career as a miniaturist.

Cultural Travels from Home

Since its creation, Art History in Focus has devised and presented the world’s first livestream tours of the Basilica of San Marco in Venice, the Medici Palace in Florence, the Brera Art Gallery in Milan, the Palazzo Colonna and Galleria Doria Pamphilj in Rome and very many more.

There are also regular walking tours throughout Europe from Lisbon, Ljubljana and Amsterdam to Madrid, Bruges and Barcelona. The special expertise of the Art History in Focus guides often lends a unique touch to the experiences – for example, participants recently attended an unforgettable twilight tour of Pompeii in the company of a well-known local archaeologist, who showed them some of the site’s most recent excavations.  

Another highlight was a tour from Kyiv in which viewers were able to learn about the history of Ukraine and celebrate its beauty and cultural heritage. One happy traveller commented: “Thank you so much for another beautifully presented course… Travel and galleries and museums are difficult for me, so I very much appreciate particularly the live visits.”

Worldwide following

Siân, who alongside running Art History in Focus lectures for the National Gallery in London – and for many years lectured at the University of Surrey – says: “It has been heart-warming to receive such wonderful feedback from our visitors and students as well as the participating museums, and I’m so glad to be continuing with these programmes which are enabling us all to enjoy art and culture in new and varied ways. Our followers now join us from all over the world and it’s such a pleasure to welcome them each week.”

Coming soon

Amongst the events scheduled for the coming months are a live virtual guided tour of Titan 1508 at the Gallerie dell’ Accademia in Venice and Rosalba Carriera: Miniatures on Ivory at the Ca’ Rezzonico, commemorating the 350th year anniversary of the artist’s birth in 1673. These visits form part of an online course entitled “Europe’s Great Galleries”, starting on 29th September and exploring a different museum each week. 

For further information, please visit Cultural Travels from Home: The Frari Basilica in Venice – Art History in Focus

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