26th September 2019
Annual Dinner
The centre’s 30th annual dinner was held at Hagley Golf Club. The guest speaker was one of our members, David Hickman. David was born in Coseley and went to school in Tipton and Dudley. After leaving school, he started work at Dudley Library, and spent the next 41 years working in various libraries within the borough of Dudley, retiring from Stourbridge Library in 2006 as Area Librarian. Books remain an important part of David’s life and he particularly enjoys reading diaries and letters. This interest was reflected in his presentation of the Diaries of James Lees-Milne.
James Lees-Milne (1908-1997) is remembered for his work for the National Trust, rescuing some of England’s greatest architectural treasures, and the vivid and entertaining diaries which have earned him a reputation as a 20th century Pepys.
David had selected a range of extracts from the diaries which reflect the social history of the period. His selection was amusing-and at times hilarious- and illustrated changing times, particularly after the second world war. Lees-Milne account of visits to various country houses and the characters he encountered held the attention and interest of those present.
Davis’s presentation ensured a happy and successful evening and showed that a reading of the diaries gives much pleasure.
CBSO Concert at Symphony Hall 16/01/2019
It seems to have become a feature of the annual programme as a coach party of Centre members headed for a January matinee concert at Symphony Hall for the 4th year running. We were not disappointed.
The first item in the concert was Dvoraks’s Wind Serenade, performed by 12 of the CBSO’s players. These fine musicians demonstrated their star qualities as they danced along to the cheerful tunes and rhythms. This was followed by Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, always a delight to hear, performed by a young American playing a 1709 Stradivarius violin. He played with fizz and precision at a breathless pace.
Mendelssohn visited Birmingham on a number of occasions, conducting his works in the Town Hall, and enjoying walks along the canals.
The last item in the programme was Dvorak’s 8th Symphony, described as the composer’s happiest and sunniest symphony, a self portrait of the composer and his world. The performance was one of warmth, enthusiasm and joy – romantic music at its best. It is clear this accomplished composer – a keen train spotter who kept pigeons – was proud of his Czech heritage.
This concert was much enjoyed by those present – perfect for a grey and chilly January day to lift the spirits and warm the heart.