Apothercary 2016

development of Kew on the way to the Jodrell
Laboratory. Here, talks on the various aspects of their
work were given by staff members. Concluding the
May trips was a Talk and Tour of the Dulwich Picture
Gallery organised by Alan Collett. The museum
educator gave an illustrated talk on Rubens, his life
and work both as a painter and a high level diplomat.
The group then moved to the gallery to view the
current exhibition.
One week tour of Puglia
The solitary event in June was a visit to Rochester
organised by Omar Khan. 22 Apothecaries enjoyed a
visit to the Huguenot Museum and heard about the
history of their arrival (including our founder Gideon
de Laune). After lunch, the visit moved to Restoration
House which derives its name from a visit by Charles II
on his way from Dover to London for his restoration to
the throne.
Three July events started with a visit to the Langdon
Down Museum and Normansfield Theatre organised by
Brian Matthews. 15 Apothecaries were given a talk
about Langdon Down and his career at the Royal
Earlsfield Asylum. The group visited the restored
Normansfield Theatre and the Museum of Learning
Disability. The next was a visit to the Museum of Army
Music organised by Wanda Jay. A talk by the Archivist
was followed by a rehearsal for the Last Night of the
Proms and then a tour of the Museum. The final July
event was a visit to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea
organised by Brian Matthews and Jane Carey-Harris. 25
Apothecaries visited the home of the Chelsea
Pensioners. Our tour guide was a redoubtable Inpensioner
named Dave Thomson, a real character. We
visited the “show” living quarters, the Hospital, the
Chapel, the Hall and part of the grounds. There was a
talk from the Matron on the Thatcher Infirmary and the
work of the medical staff.
Our event in August was a visit to the Houses of
Parliament organised by Mike Gibson. Fifty
Apothecaries and guests in two groups had a
comprehensive tour of Westminster Hall, St Stephen’s
Hall, the Central Lobby, the Robing Room, the Royal
Gallery and Prince’s Chamber, the Lord’s Chamber and
the Commons. Tea was taken in the splendid setting of
the Terrace Pavilion.
In September, Brian Matthews organised a tour to
the Fire of London Exhibition at the Museum of London.
Following an introductory talk by the Curator,
individuals were free to visit the Exhibition at their own
pace. 36 had a one week tour of Puglia, the “bread
basket“ or garden of Italy. Organised by Chris Khoo,
ably assisted by Simon Bailey, it was a wonderful and
comprehensive tour which covered the geography,
geology, agriculture, religious connections, art and
architecture and gastronomy of this lovely region. It
culminated with a three night stay in Lecce – the
“Florence of the South”. A fuller account of the visit to
Puglia can be seen in an accompanying article.
In October, Jane Carey-Harris organised a visit to the
Military Intelligence Museum. The role of the SOE,
intelligence activities from the Cold War to the present
day in the Middle East and the role of photographic
intelligence were viewed and discussed in three
sessions. These were followed by lunch at in the
Officers’ Mess at Chicksands and this in turn was
followed by a tour of the Priory. Busy Brian Matthews
organised two visits to the Chocolate Factory in Brixton.
All aspects of producing chocolates were covered, from
pod to mouth. Each individual had the opportunity to
design and make their own chocolates.
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