Sarah Bernhardt and Albert Einstein are the subject of two lectures offering new insights into the development and historical context of Andy Warhol’s work.
They will take place at the Dairy at Waddesdon.
£65.00 includes the lecture, lunch, a guided tour of
the Warhol exhibition and Waddesdon Manor.

Wednesday 14 September 2011, 10.30-4.30
Sarah Bernhardt: The Rise of Celebrity
Maureen Kendler, Head of Education at the London School of Jewish Studies, will examine the thread of Jewishness in Bernhardt’s life, although she was a self-confessed atheist, and ask if this was a contribution or an obstacle to her great achievements in the arts.

Thursday 15 September 2011, 10.30-4.30
Albert Einstein: What did Einstein see?
Dr. Raphael Zarum, Chief Executive of the London School of Jewish Studies, will look at a number of episodes in Einstein’s life, as well has his discoveries, and frame them both in history and theology.

Booking is essential. Please phone 01296 653226 (Monday-Friday 10-3).
For more information visit www.waddesdon.org.uk

New exhibitions in the House this year include a rare chance to see at close quarters the rich colours and fantastical decoration of our 16th-century Italian glazed earthenware – maiolica.

The Books and Bindings exhibition, highlighting our exceptional collection of 18th-century printed books continues, and with it is a truly revolutionary display, exploring depictions of the explosive events of the French Revolution through a unique collection of prints.

As usual, our exhibitions are complemented by a range of events, displays and special interest days, including the perennially popular “Putting the House to Bed” and a number of opportunities to go behind the scenes to see how the Manor worked from a servant’s point of view.

Click here for more details on these and other events throughout the year

Employees from Waddesdon Manor have completed the MA Furniture: Conservation, Restoration & Decorative Arts at Bucks New University.

They went on to exhibit items of beautifully conserved furniture at the University’s end of year MA show.

They joined their fellow postgraduate students, many with international backgrounds, to exhibit the best items of their work created during the last calendar year. The show celebrated the talent, creativity and success of the students, who have been studying at Bucks New University for either one year full time or two years part-time.

Dr Campbell Norman-Smith, Course Leader, MA Furniture: Conservation, Restoration & Decorative Arts at Bucks New University, said: “The standard of work this year and the quality of objects could not have been better. Through our contacts with Waddesdon Manor and the Royal Collection, amongst others, we have obtained some amazing pieces of furniture for our students to work on, spanning several centuries right through from the 1600s.”

Amongst the range of special items exhibited was the work of Waddesdon Manor’s Head Steward, student Jane Finch, from Stewkley, near Milton Keynes. Jane restored a neoclassical armchair, dating c.1760-98. Provided to Bucks by the Manor, this upholstered walnut armchair features a gilded and over-painted finish.

Jane has been a long-serving member of staff on the stewarding team at Waddesdon Manor, where she has worked for 18 years. As Head Steward, she is responsible for the physical care and handling of the Manor’s furniture collection, which covers everything from cleaning and lighting to handling and environmental control.

Through the Manor’s established links with the University, the opportunity arose for Jane to enrol on the MA Furniture: Conservation, Restoration & Decorative Arts, studying one day a week over three years. She said:”I was lucky enough to be given the neoclassical armchair from the Waddesdon collection to work on which needed general consolidation, repair and replacement to some lost mouldings on the front legs.

“It turned out to be rather a special piece, as once the old top cover had been removed it was discovered that the upholstery on the chair was still the original. This changed the brief as it was decided to put on a top cover which could be completely detachable and give access for people to look at the upholstery underneath without any further interference to the frame of the chair.

“I achieved this by hand-stitching a fitted top cover for the seat and back with magnetic strips around the edge that could hold the cover to the chair, and then adding a magnetic strip of brass nails over the top which gave the appearance of upholstery.”

Also on display were items restored by MA student and Waddesdon employee, Harriet Nichols, from Newton Longville, near Milton Keynes. Harriet’s MA project includes a 19th century Revival-style frame, featuring a painting entitled View of Birmingham from the Dome of St Phillips, which was provided to Bucks by Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery. The piece, now fully conserved, is a composition frame with oil and water gilding on pine substrate.

Harriet was recently appointed by the National Trust to work as a Conservation Assistant at Waddesdon Manor. She said: “I was so pleased to get the job and feel really lucky to have been given such an amazing opportunity. I have always wanted to work in either a museum or stately home, it is exactly what I was aiming for and is the perfect role to help me start my career.”

Harriet has also worked on a decorative model of Aston Church, which is mother-of-pearl on pine substrate and dating c.1920-60. Intensely detailed and delicate, this piece was very interesting to work on and Harriet said: “The model was particularly fascinating due to the scope for material exploration. The combination of different materials meant that a variety of processes needed to be performed. However, the bulk of the work was in the form of cleaning, cutting and attaching the pieces of mother-of-pearl. The project took almost 400 hours to complete, consequently the end result was very satisfying!”

After a 10 day installation, 18,000 pea lights and countless decorations later we are ready to open the doors for Christmas at Waddesdon tomorrow.

This year Waddesdon is embracing its French heritage and the theme of the decorations in the house is decidedly Parisienne! Our creative team have captured the atmosphere of Christmas Eve in some of the glorious locations along the River Seine. With fleurs-de-lys, lavender and garlic, an Arc de Triomphe and Obelisk in the many rooms of this French Château, Waddesdon will be stunning in all its French glory.

The celebration of Christmas extends beyond the House into the Gardens where twinkling lights guide you on the willow reindeer trail though the woodland playground to the Enchanted Forest in the Coach House at the Stables. Our younger visitors will be able to write a letter to Father Christmas and have their photo taken on an open sleigh with SNOW!

http://www.waddesdon.org.uk/plan_your_visit/christmas.htm

Saturday and Sunday 4 and 5 September From 10.30

The ultimate chilli experience! Now in its fourth great year and even bigger with over 25 hand picked stalls, you’ll find everything for the chilli fanatic or intrepid chilli novice: delicious chilli jams, exotic and enticing pastes and pickles, chutneys and oils, relishes and sauces, alongside chilli ice-cream, spicy cheeses and chilli beers. Homemade sausages, vegetarian curries and spicy pasties will also be available from the food stalls.

And for those who want to have a go at growing their own, there’s a great range of unique chilli plants from small producers around the country.

In the Café choose from a tempting range of fresh homemade treats, as well as our normal snack and cake menu there will be chocolate chilli cup cakes, sun dried tomato scones and jacket potatoes with chilli con carne, all washed down with real, old-fashioned homemade lemonade.

Don’t forget to enter the prize draw, by filling in an information card, with a chance to win a chilli hamper, full of products from each stall holder.

http://www.waddesdon.org.uk/events/sep_10/chilli_festival.html

Visit us with Chiltern Railways and our taxi bus service direct from Aylesbury Vale Parkway, and take advantage of a 2 for 1 offer to the Gardens when you travel by train.

http://www.waddesdon.org.uk/plan_your_visit/taxi_bus.html

With under 24 hours to go until the start of the 2010 MAD festival and 6 hours before the gates open for  the Bjorn Again concert, Waddesdon is a hive of activity.  

With over 3000 performers taking part this year,  showcasing some of the best of the talent, creativity and energy at work in our schools and community we are delighted that again this year we can offer a large programme of other activities for you and your family to take part in during your visit to Waddesdon. We have free workshops in the Workshop Warehouse from Bhangra and Bollywood dancing to Dhol Drumming and for the cheerleaders  amongst you Sunday is your opportunity to have a go with poms! Please visit www.madaboutwaddesdon.com for more details.

To satisfy your inner artist, make sure you pay a visit to the ‘Children’s Zone’ for lots of things to make and take home or go and create a figurine inspired by the designs for the “Ballets de Nuit” (on view in the House) with artist and sculptor, Ann Carrington. 

If you want to get away from the mayhem of the North Front, why not visit the Art Space@ The Stables, featuring local acoustic groups and performers throughout the weekend and visit Glass Experiences in the Coach House and don’t forget the House is open as normal. Tickets available from the ticket office.

Finally on Sunday having listened to the feedback from our performers and at the same time wanting to protect the nature of the festival and the respect to all the performers, we have taken the decision to screen the match in it’s entirety on a big screen on the North Front . This would mean at 3pm we would break with the scheduled programme for all to enjoy the game then resume at it’s conclusion, hopefully a jubilant nation!

Please tell your friends to come along, the bars and catering and BBQ will be open and the sun will be shining. Enjoy the weekend.

Back at Waddesdon for its 5th year in Summer 2010, MAD is a showcase for the best local talent with what promises to be an inspiring mix of music, art dance and drama..
Expect the unexpected with a host of artists, circus performers and workshops taking place over the weekend. Inspired by bringing a sense of spirit, community and fun to Waddesdon, Lord Rothschild was the instigator of this fantastic festival which sees groups and individuals performing over the two days. Now in its 5th year the team behind MAD are hoping it creates a lasting impression of positivity across the Vale and beyond. It is the opportunity to give a huge number of artists a stage, paint brush and patch of grass on which to perform and connect with the community and each other. To inspire people before, during and after the event, so they can realise their goals and take part in something fantastic.
This wonderful weekend attracts allsorts young and old, family and friends. It is a wonderful open air party in the beautiful English countryside so make sure your get your tickets now (last year over 14000 people came!).
So far confirmed performers include… Urban Strides, Waterside Theatre Panto Workshop, NGage multicultural music and dance and much more. Keep checking website and media for further updates.

Friday 25 June
Gates open 6.30. Concert 8.00-10.30.
For one night only, the world’s most sensational ABBA experience, Björn Again take to the stage in the Gardens. With support from The Original Bucks Fizz. All proceeds go towards MAD About Waddesdon on 26 and 27 June. For more details visit www.waddesdon.org.uk

The Waddesdon Masterclass (7-8 June) offers connoisseurs, as well as those eager to learn about Waddesdon’s fabulous collections, the opportunity to experience the House and its treasures in the manner of Baron Ferdinand’s House party guests in the 19th century.The two-day residential course is held while the House is closed to the public, the participants have exclusive access and attend sessions that are tailored to individual interests and led by Waddesdon curators. Fine dining and accommodation in the Manor itself complete this unique experience. 

This year the Waddesdon Masterclass is excited to announce its partnership with Art Antiques London, the much-anticipated new art and antiques fair to be held in London 9 to 16 June. Masterclass participants will have a chance to preview the fair in the company of Waddesdon curators before it opens to the public and a lucky fair visitor will win a place on the 2011 Masterclass.

Art Antiques London is a must-see event for new and veteran collectors alike. Offering a marriage of quality and style, the fair will bring together leading dealers in their respective fields, presenting a range of the very finest works of art.  From the traditional collecting fields through to contemporary, every piece will be vetted for quality and authenticity. Held in a beautiful custom-built marquee opposite the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gardens provides a beautiful backdrop to one of the most exciting and glamourous art and antiques fairs ever held in London. For more information visit www.waddesdon.org.uk and www.haughton.com.