The Buildings Appreciation group “does what it says on the tin”! We meet every month (except August) to discuss architectural styles through the ages, so that we can better appreciate the built environment around us, wherever we may be.
We tend to concentrate on buildings in Great Britain since these provide us with actual examples, but those abroad are often useful examples of architecture which have inspired architecture in this country. This was particularly evident during study of the Renaissance.
We are moving from specific aspects (doors, windows, fireplaces, etc.) to complete buildings (palaces, manor houses, peasant houses, etc.).
Each month we meet in a member's house and one member gives a talk on their chosen area. In 2025, having completed Tudor and Renaissance, we will be concentrating on Jacobean.
Last Christmas we met and each member contributed an offering of Tudor food or drink they had made. It was a gourmet journey as well as great fun. This year we hope to repeeat it with Renaissance food.
We are learning by visiting examples of the period we are studying :
2024
March - The Great Barn
April - The Vyne
May - Braemore House
August - Living Museum, Gosport
September - Wilton House
Reports
September 2019
We have continued to work our way through Norman cathedrals (or remains of, in some cases!). Several people chose ones they knew well, or even revisited. We’ve been intrigued to find some of the cathedrals seem to have very similar designs, despite the distances.
We ended the term on a high note (see photo), with a pre-arranged tour of the architecture of Chichester Cathedral, conducted by our knowledgeable guide,Alan. Near the Lady Chapel, he pointed out four different styles of architecture in a relatively small space, proof of the adaptability of the masons. We ended with a short, but fascinating talk by the Clerk of Works, who spared us some time from his very busy schedule up on the roof, to tell us about the work being done up there (we could hear it!).
We have a varied programme for next term, when we will be embarking on the influential Gothic styles. In October, we hope to visit Winchester Cathedral and, taking advantage of the extra Tuesday, we will have a talk by a group member, David, on Portsmouth Cathedral, which we will follow up in December with a tour conducted by him, followed by tea and an invitation to attend Evensong. Our “Christmas lunch” will be at South Downs college in January 2020! Our February meeting will be a talk by a local architect, Martin Critchley, about his work , with specific reference to buildings in Havant. In March, David hopes to arrange for us to visit churches in the Meonstoke and Corhampton area.
