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Welcome

The Queen with Ann Kenrick

Welcome to the first issue of the Charterhouse newsletter. I feel privileged to have taken over as the first female Master at this exciting stage of our illustrious history, with the opening of the museum, learning centre, garden square and café. We have already welcomed 9,000 visitors to our museum, and all the tours led by our knowledgeable Brothers and other guides have been sold out. I encourage you to become a Friend of the Charterhouse and become part of our very special community gaining extra access, enjoying unique events, discounts in the museum and café, and also supporting efforts to maintain these historic buildings and the Brothers. The Friends scheme raised just over £29,000 in its first year, contributing towards improvements in the almshouse and enabling the creation of the new William Makepeace ‘Thackeray’ room to house our entire collection of his works.

Ann Kenrick OBE
Master

Thackeray's Café

Situated at number 14 Charterhouse Square, next door to the museum, our café offers quality teas, artisan coffees, homemade cakes, light lunches and savouries. We also have free wifi and can be booked for private meetings. For more information see our website. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10:30 – 16:45, Sunday 11:00 – 16:00. Quote the code ‘sutton’ to receive 10% discount. Valid from Friday 14th to Sunday 23rd April 2017.

What's On

NGS Gardens Scheme
6th June 2017 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm

We will be opening our private gardens to the public (the Charterhouse buildings will remain closed).

There is an entry fee of £5, which includes a glass of wine, and we will also be having a BBQ (additional cost).

Musical Salon
3rd May 2017 | 6:00pm - 10:00pm

A relaxed evening event at the Charterhouse featuring a piano recital by Giuseppe Andaloro performing music by English composers from the 16th century to present day. The ticket includes a tour of the historic site, pre-performance reception with drinks and canapes, concert and a post-performance reception with light supper and more drinks. Tickets: £100. This event is to benefit the restoration of the Great Chamber. Find out more.

Royal Visit

In late February, Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, officially opened our new museum, learning centre and public square. A crowd of well-wishers, waving flags and taking photographs from the recently landscaped square, welcomed them both at the gates before the royal couple were shown inside by the Master.

They were introduced to many people associated with the Revealing the Charterhouse project, including staff, architects, builders and gardeners. While the Duke of Edinburgh greeted the Brothers, the Queen spoke to local schoolchildren (right) who were designing their own coats of arms in our learning centre before having a tour of the new museum.

The Queen with local schoolchildren

The visit culminated in the Chapel, where Brother Graham Matthews, our resident organist, performed a rousing rendition of God Save the Queen.

Museum

Since the Charterhouse opened to the public in late January of this year visitors have come from far and wide to immerse themselves in our history. They have enjoyed self-guided tours of the Chapel and the many fascinating objects in our museum, which our increasingly
knowledgeable Visitor Engagement volunteers help bring to life.

Over the past 2 months we have welcomed many U3A groups from the London area and beyond, colleagues from other museums and galleries such as Sir John Soane’s Museum, neighbours from the local area, families who have taken part in creative activities in our learning centre, and many more.

Staff in the museum on opening day

These visitors have enriched our experience by sharing their memories of the site and enthusiasm for the Revealing the Charterhouse project. We have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get to know our visitors, and in particular those who have made repeat visits and introduced their friends and family to the museum.

Learning

Children from Gower School exploring the Norfolk cloiser

In March the Year 4s from the Gower School took part in our new Hands-On Tudors session. We started the visit by exploring the remains of the medieval Carthusian monastery and the lives of the silent monks who would have roamed the cloisters. We then considered the dramatic events of the English reformation and Henry VIII’s will to become the Head of the Church. The class were able to investigate the change in Church and society before luxuriating in our splendid Tudor manor and learning about every day Tudor life. Our handling objects really helped bring the time period to life with the group especially excited by the genuine Tudor shoes! For more information on our schools programme click here.

Volunteering

Volunteering in the new museum

Our volunteering programme engages over 50 people of all ages and backgrounds across the charity, with the largest team being based at the museum and learning centre. Volunteers bring added value to everything we do and let us go the extra mile thanks to their enthusiasm and support. We are currently recruiting Visitor Engagement Volunteers to welcome visitors to the museum and provide information.

If you would like to know more about volunteering with us, please get in touch with our Volunteer Coordinator Sara Manzanares.

Blog

The Charterhouse
Then & Now

These fascinating post cards, published by E.T. Bottom Ltd. 1916, capture the Charterhouse as it was over 100 years ago. Although many aspects of the buildings appear to have remained largely the same in this time, those familiar with the Charterhouse may note a number of changes ... Read More

Profile of a Brother: Stephen McGhee

“No day is exactly the same for me,” explains Brother Stephen McGhee, who is chatting to me in his flat in the Admiral Ashmore building. “Some of it is governed by routine of meals, but two days a week I go to the gym at the nearby Golden Lane Estate and once a month there’s the poetry evening and the reading group." ... Read More

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The Charterhouse · The Charterhouse · Charterhouse Square London · London, London EC1M 6AN · United Kingdom