The Beacon March 2013 - Beacon Parish of Ditchling, Streat ...

Ditchling Women’s Groups
Ditchling Downs WI
For our February meeting we welcomed speaker Jackie Marsh-Hobbs who has
been a guide at the Brighton Pavilion for 14 years. George IV first came to
Brighton in 1783, as a young prince aged 21, thus beginning an enduring
romance with the seaside retreat and it became the setting for one of the most
unusual royal homes in the UK. George wanted to escape London and it was at
this time he bought a small farmhouse, two rooms up and two rooms down, at
the modern day site of the Pavilion. In 1787, the original building became a wing
of a larger property when George had a rotunda added with another wing built
on the other side. This was known as the Marine Pavilion.
In 1815, the Prince Regent continued with his grand palace plan and
commissioned architect John Nash to realise his dream. The prince was
fascinated with the beautiful imagery being carried back from the East by
travelling artists. He sought to recreate the look in Brighton. For the exterior,
Indian-style minarets and intricate carvings were created and George requested
a rich Chinese-inspired interior design, with colourful dragons and sea creatures
weaving through wallpaper, golden ornament, ceiling decoration and furniture.
After George 1V's death in 1830 the Pavilion passed to William IV. He used it as a
winter palace. Then the crown passed to George IV's niece Victoria in 1837. After
visiting the Pavilion just 5 times she decided that Brighton wasn't suitable for her
family and she removed many of the features including wallpaper, carvings and
fireplaces as well as the furniture, leaving little more than a shell. Brighton
Commissioners purchased the Pavilion for the town for £53,000 in 1850 and the
building has had many lives since then. During the First World War the Pavilion
was opened up as a temporary hospital for 4,000 injured Indian troops between
1914 and 1916, they recuperated under chandeliers in the music room. A lot of
the members had been to the Pavilion before but after hearing Jackie's
enthusiastic talk, many, I am sure, will want to revisit this iconic Royal Palace
once again.
Our speaker for the meeting on 5 th March, 7pm for 7.30pm, in The Friends
Meeting House, East Gardens will be Peter Cave who will speak on 'Coffee Shops
to Hurricanes'. Enquiries Barbara Dollings Tel 01273 843892
Barbara Dollings 01273 843892
Ditchling WI
At our February meeting, our speaker was Mr Tony Harris, in costume as Henry
VIII. He told the story of Henry’s lifelong journey to produce an heir to the
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