Thanks to the Friends of Berkeley Castle from The Trustees of the Berkeley Castle Charitable Trust:

Extracts from a recent letter from the Chairman of the Trustees:  

"I think it is now quite noticeable what impact the cumulative work of the Friends has had on the Castle and its contents.  

In most rooms there is an item or items that have benefited from the generosity of the Friends and this, 

of course, extends outside of the main Castle building too.  

"In addition to the financial donations made towards tapestries, paintings, the sundial, gun carriages and other chattels, we are also enormously grateful for the voluntary work (undertaken by Friends) .......

"So much progress has been made in so many areas with Berkeley Castle in recent years and we Trustees are indebted to you, your committee and your members for the part that the Friends have played in that.   Please pass on my thanks."

FoBC Members-only visit to Frampton Court: Thursday 4th July

Almost fifty FoBC members enjoyed a warm, sunny afternoon at Grade I listed Frampton Court, 

an early C18 house in the Baroque and Palladian styles, by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Rollo Clifford.

We were first shown round the grounds, which include a fantastical Gothick orangery and a contemporary dovecote.  

Inside, the house was a mixture of formal architecture, Country Chippendale and  ‘mouseman’ furniture and family photos. 

The afternoon was rounded off with a delicious tea in the Grade I listed Wool Barn.

Photographs by David Bowd-Exworth

Visit to the Bristol University Archaeological Site in Berkeley

The 6th June FoBC visit to the Dig site in the Paddock was hosted by Professor Mark Horton 

who updated us on their discoveries:

a very deep ditch was found, possibly 4 metres deep and running north/south, 

which raises the issue of whether there was a Roman fort here, possibly 1^st Century AD;

a sump or well that is probably 13^th Century plus a rubbish tip from the same era 

in the south west corner of the site;

a “D” shaped buckle of indeterminate age;

a die made of bone that is possibly Tudor;

the vertebra of a porpoise, which was a high class example of Anglo-Saxon food.

This is the last year that Bristol University’s Archaeological team 

will be researching the Berkeley dig.

With thanks to Adam Waller for the photographs of Professor Mark Horton and team in action.

FoBC Projects:   Portrait of an Unknown Lady

The latest painting to have significantly benefited from funding raised by the Friends, 

recently returned from the restoration specialist and currently hanging near the foot of the Grand Staircase:

Portrait detail

Talk by Karen Davidson, Castle Archivist, 
on The Photography of Ellen Willmott.

Although famous as a horticulturalist, Charles Berkeley's great, great-aunt Ellen Willmott was also an enthusiastic photographer
and Karen gave us an intriguing insight into Miss Willmott's fascinating life.

The audience were particularly interested in the photographs showing before and after shots 

of the many changes to the Castle made by the eighth Earl.

Full report in the Autumn edition of the Berkeley Buttress.

Friends of Berkeley Castle - Annual General Meeting

Tuesday 30th April 2019

Developments since the last AGM were explained, the finances are in a healthy position, and plans for the future were outlined.  

 Two new members joined the Committee (having been co-opted during the year), other committee members coming up for re-election were happy to stand again, and the chairman, Paul Walkden, retired after six years.   

David Bowd-Exworth was elected chairman, and welcomed back to the role.

Full report in the Autumn edition of the Berkeley Buttress.

FoBC President Charles Berkeley with Paul Walkden and secretary Jane Handoll.

Charles Berkeley presenting the Committee's gift to the retiring Chairman.

Following the AGM on Tuesday 30 April:   "Miss Willmott's Ghosts"

Talk by Castle Archivist Karen Davidson about Charles Berkeley's great-great aunt Miss Ellen Willmott (owner and designer of gardens in England, France and Italy, sponsor of plant-hunting expeditions and keen photographer) and Berkeley Castle.

Cash bar from 7pm.    Tickets £9 (non-members £12).