THE KING’S SOCIETY
LENT TERM 2019
The King’s Society The King’s Society Lent Brochure The King’s Society aims to provide opportunities for the enhancement and enrichment of the King’s community. We hope to enable members of the King’s Society to enjoy social events together and appreciate the educational and cultural facilities that the School, the Cathedral and Precincts have to offer. We are a non-profit making organisation existing solely for the benefit of our members. There is also a branch of the King’s Society in Hong Kong. We organise a variety of events in Canterbury, London and further afield. In conjunction with the Visitors’ Department of Canterbury Cathedral, many tours have been arranged within the Precincts. We have frequent theatre trips, visits to art galleries and guided walking tours in London. We enjoy our garden visits, with recent venues including Highgrove, Kew Gardens, Chartwell and the Chelsea Physic Garden amongst others. We hold regular lectures, craft and culinary workshops, wine tastings and dining evenings and always include a termly seasonal walk and a pub lunch. We have enjoyed guided weekends away in Seville, Florence, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Bayeux and the D-Day Landing beaches in Normandy and more recently the Languedoc. Mrs Ali Huntrods, a former parent of two daughters at King’s, runs The King’s Society together with a committee made up of current parents, former parents, OKS and members of staff. We try to cater for a wide range of tastes and interests on all social, cultural and educational fronts and can assure you of a very warm welcome.
Cover images Main: All About Eve© Perou Right (from top to bottom) Winter: Public Domain; Macarons: © The Crow Kitchen; Van Gogh Self Portrait: Public Domain; Christian Dior with model Lucky, circa 1955: Courtesy of Christian Dior.
The King’s Chorus
Thursday evenings from 10th January 6.30-7.30pm
Shirley Hall Singers are warmly invited to join The King’s Chorus, the school’s biggest choir, formed of singers from across the King’s community, including pupils, parents, staff and friends. Next term we will be rehearsing for a performance of Johannes Brahms’ German Requiem, on Saturday 16th March, 2019, in Canterbury Cathedral. Adult participation is particularly encouraged and the following options are available for those who would like to join us: Beginners and occasional singers: for anyone who would like to join a choir for the first time, or hasn’t sung for a while, then you are encouraged to join the pupils on Thursday evenings, from 6.30 - 7.30pm, in the Shirley Hall, from Thursday 10th January. Rehearsals are directed by Mr Nicholas Todd, Head of Singing and Assistant Director of Music, and the music will be learnt at a comfortable pace across the term. Experienced singers: if you know the work well, are comfortable with less rehearsal time, and Thursdays in Canterbury are a problem, then we will be holding a rehearsal day in London, when the piece will be covered at speed. The date and location of this session is yet to be agreed, but an announcement will be made in early January to give plenty of time for planning. All adult singers are asked to contact Jenny McLeod, Music Administrator, by email (music@kings-school.co.uk) to register an interest and indicate which of the above options is suitable. Please do this by Wednesday 2nd January. All singers are required to attend rehearsals with full chorus and orchestra on Friday 15th March, from 7 - 9pm, in the Shirley Hall, and Saturday 16th March, times tbc, in Canterbury Cathedral.
The King’s Society Macaron masterclass Thursday 24th January 9.30am - 2.30pm
The Crow Kitchen, Beeches Farm, Crowborough TN6 2HH The Crow Kitchen is an artisan bakery founded by Mary Ann who left the glittering word of fashion to indulge her passion for baking. Do join us for an exclusive demonstration of how to create these amazing pastries. Mary Ann was originally drawn to macarons for their dainty looks but was disappointed with the usual offerings which often looked the part but didn’t deliver in the taste and texture department – they were all too often dry and boringly sweet. Mary Ann ensures that macarons have seasonal influences through the year and are perfectly light and delicately crisp on the outside filled with the finest ganaches, award winning curds and creams. We will start our day with coffee and a chat followed by a demonstration after which we will be guided through each of the steps of making the perfect macaron. Cost per person £65 to include coffee and a champagne afternoon tea. We will all take away a box of 30 home-made macarons. Number of places 8 (although a second date can be planned if required). Website booking available.
A Winter Walk around Ticehurst, East Sussex Tuesday 5th February 10.30am
The Square, Ticehurst TN5 7AA Join us for our annual Winter Walk. We will meet for coffee at The Bell in Ticehurst before setting off on a healthy seven-mile circular walk. On our way the walk will give us views of Bewl Water, the largest stretch of open water in the south-east. Your dogs would be very welcome to accompany us and on our return to Ticehurst we can have a rewarding lunch in The Bell. Number of places 20. This is a free event. Website booking available.
Visit to see All About Eve directed by Ivo van Hove Thursday 28th February 7.30pm
Noel Coward Theatre, London WC2N 4AU “Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.” Margo Channing is a legend, a true star of the theatre. The spotlight is hers and always has been. But now there’s Eve, her biggest fan, young, beautiful Eve. The golden girl, the girl next door. But you know all about Eve... don’t you...? Lifting the curtain on a world of jealousy and ambition, this new production, from one of the world’s most innovative theatre directors, asks why our fascination with celebrity, youth and identity never seems to tire. All About Eve is based on the short story The Wisdom of Eve, by Mary Orr. The film, made in 1950, was written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and starred Bette Davis. This show is produced by Sonia Friedman and stars Gillian Anderson from the long-running US series The X files and Lily James from Downton Abbey, Kenneth Branagh’s production of Romeo and Juliet and the recent Mamma Mia! sequel. Price per ticket £55. Number of places 15. Website booking available.
Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition Wednesday 6th March 1pm
V&A Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL “There is no other country in the world, besides my own, whose way of life I like so much. I love English traditions, English politeness, English architecture. I even love English cooking.” Christian Dior Spanning 1947 to the present day, this exhibition will trace the history and impact of one of the 20th century’s most influential couturiers, exploring the enduring influence of the fashion house, and Dior’s relationship with Britain. This is the largest and most comprehensive exhibition ever staged in the UK on the House of Dior. The exhibition includes for example the 1951 couture Dior dress Princess Margaret wore for her 21st birthday. We have arranged an hour’s private lecture commencing at 1pm with timed entry tickets to the exhibition at 2.45pm so there will be time for a coffee or snack before visiting the exhibition. Price per ticket £42 to include both the lecture and entry ticket. Number of places 15. Website booking available.
Johannes Brahms’ German Requiem Choral Concert Saturday 16th March 7.30pm
Canterbury Cathedral The King’s School Chorus, formed of pupils, parents, staff and friends of the School and the Symphony Orchestra come together to perform the epic German Requiem by Johannes Brahms in the Nave of Canterbury Cathedral. We are thrilled to welcome Marie Arnet to the School as soprano soloist, alongside Tristan Hambleton (OKS), our baritone. Price per ticket £10. Website booking available.
Guided tour of Westminster Abbey with Blue Badge guide Viv Haxby Wednesday 20th March 10.45am
Westminster Abbey, London SW1A Join Blue Badge Guide Viv Haxby for a guided tour of Westminster Abbey. Known as the Coronation Church because 38 monarchs have been crowned on the site, this jewel of gothic architecture has also been the burial place of kings and queens up until 1760. It has witnessed many royal weddings and is the last resting place of Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, and, earlier this year, of Stephen Hawking. As we have just celebrated the centenary of the Armistice, Viv will also tell us the story behind the tomb of the Unknown Warrior. Viv will entertain us with stories from the 1000 year history of this most royal of churches. We will meet at 10.45am at the West Door for a prompt 11am start. Price per person £32 (to include an entrance ticket to the Abbey). Number of places 20. Website booking available.
Guided tour of the Van Gogh and Britain exhibition with Art History UK Thursday 28th March 10.45am
Tate Britain, London SW1 Tate Britain’s blockbuster exhibition Van Gogh and Britain presents the largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings in the UK for nearly a decade. Some of his most famous works will be brought together from around the world including Shoes, Starry Night over the Rhône, L’Arlésienne, and two works he made while a patient at the Saint Paul Asylum: At Eternity’s Gate and Prisoners Exercising. They will be joined by the very rarely lent Sunflowers from London’s National Gallery. The lecture with our guide Claudia Merkle will focus on these works and the context in which they were painted. Van Gogh lived in England as a young man for several crucial years. He fell in love with British culture, especially the novels of Charles Dickens and George Eliot. And he was inspired by the art he saw here including paintings by Constable and Millais which are featured in the show. The exhibition also looks at the British artists who were inspired by Van Gogh including Francis Bacon, David Bomberg and the young Camden Town painters. This lecture will show how his vision set British artists on the road to modern art. We will meet for coffee at the Morpeth Arms (SW1P 4RW) where our lecture will take place, only a short walk to Tate Britain. Price per ticket to include coffee, lecture and entry to exhibition £46. Number of places 20. Website booking available.
Advance Notice of an event in the Summer Term Guided tour of Oxford and Blenheim Palace with Blue Badge guide Viv Haxby
Tuesday 4th - Wednesday 5th June (timing tbc) Enjoy a walking tour of the beautiful and architecturally varied university town of Oxford. As we walk among the turrets, towers and ‘dreaming spires’, Viv will explain the history of one of the world’s foremost universities from its origins in religious foundations in the 13th century. We will see the principle university buildings including the Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera and the Sheldonian Theatre, and visit some of the 39 colleges. Viv will explain how the academic year is structured, talk us through the ceremonies that regularly take place, and explain the relationship between the colleges and the university. The Norrington Table and the Vincent’s Club will be explained to us and those curious as to what ‘battles’ are - not to mention ‘encaenia’ or ‘sub fusc’ all be will clear by the end of our tour. We will then visit Blenheim Palace, considered to be one of the country’s finest ‘statelies’. The home of the Dukes of Marlborough since the early 18th century, this architectural gem of the baroque style prompted George III to say: “We (the royal family) have nothing to equal this”. Viv will tell us the history of the house, its builders and its subsequent owners right up to the current generation, before we have a chance to explore the house our own. Viv will then show us the delights of the garden. Just visible from the lawn, is the church tower of St Martin’s, Bladon which we will visit when we leave Blenheim to see the grave of Sir Winston Churchill whose grandfather was a Duke of Marlborough. Price per ticket £60 (excluding entry ticket to Blenheim). Number of places 16. Website booking available.
King’s Society events are open to all members. Most events can be booked using the school’s online facility at www.kings-school.co.uk/boxoffice which is the easiest and most efficient way of booking tickets. If you are paying by cheque, it should be made payable to The King’s Society and sent to Mrs Ali Huntrods at The King’s School, Canterbury, CT1 2ES. Please note, payment is required prior to an event, as places cannot be guaranteed until payment has been received. If an event is full, it is always worth your name being put on the waiting list as spaces do often occur at the last minute.
Committee Members Manager: Mrs Ali Huntrods Treasurer: Mr Andrew Bruce Parents: Mrs Caroline Bagshawe, Mrs Claire Burns, Mrs Eloise Coulson, Mrs Sharon Grosse, Mrs Verity Rowe, Mrs Alison Streeter, Mrs Jane Samoilys Staff:
Mrs Lisa Cousins, Mr Richard Ninham, Mrs Liz Worthington
Hong Kong Committee Members Parents: Mrs Monique Leung OKS: Mrs Nicole Briggs, Miss Chloe Mitchell
For all King’s Society enquiries regarding membership and events Please contact the King’s Society Manager Mrs Ali Huntrods Tel: 01227-595774 Email: ah@kings-school.co.uk Mobile: 07825 016282 Please see the Protection of Personal Data section of The School website for our Privacy Policy