Programme 2026
Thursday 21st May 2026
Visit to:
The Royal Pavilion Brighton & Art Gallery/Brighton Museum
A morning tour of the Royal Pavillion 11:00 to 12:00am. Afternoon options to visit the Art gallery & Brighton Museum.
You may take the time to wander around the Brighton ‘Lanes’ – antique shops etc. all in walking distance.
Travel by Coach from Alton station forcourt at 8:45am. Cost £50:00 each.
Please click the new BOOKING & PAYMENT FORM where you can make your booking and will be asked to make your payment by credit or debit card. Please have your card ready.
Tuesday 9th June 2026
What really happened at the Yellow House in Arles in 1888?
Presented by Julian Halsby
In October 1888 Paul Gauguin arrived in Arles to stay at the Yellow House with Vincent van Gogh. At first the friendship worked well...
This lecture will be held at Martin Read Hall at Alton College commencing at 7:30pm (doors open 6:45pm) CLICK HERE to see directions.
Thursday 6th August 2026
Visit to:
Guided tour Stratfield Saye house, gardens & funeral carriage
A guided tour of Stratfield Saye, the 9th Duke of Wellington’s house and garden. The house contains many of the First Duke’s possessions and cast iron bronze funeral carriage made from melted down bronze French cannons captured after the Battle.
Self-drive or car share. – around 40 mins.
Please click the new BOOKING & PAYMENT FORM where you can make your booking and will be asked to make your payment by credit or debit card. Please have your card ready.
Saturday 5th September 2026
Visit to:
The Purcell Club, Westminster. Choral music & guided tour of the Abbey.
Tour and music by the male voice choir formed predominantly from the Westminster Abbey Old Choristors Association.
A combination of choral music and a guided tour of The Abbey.
Individual travel by train to London
Cost £52.00 excluding rail/bus/taxi fares.
Further details and Booking Form will be available later in the year.
Tuesday 8th September 2026
AGM followed by:
Banksy - Fraud or Genius
Presented by Pepe Martinez
The lecture will trace the story of Banksy’s humble beginnings as a tagger on the streets of Bristol in the 1980’s to one of the most recognisable names in the art world.
This lecture will be held at Martin Read Hall at Alton College commencing at 7:30pm (doors open 6:45pm) CLICK HERE to see directions.
Tuesday 13th October 2026
An ideal partnership:
Lutyens and Jekyll
Presented by James Bolton
The last two decades of the C19th reverberated with the row amongst gardeners and architects. At a stroke, the problem was solved by the partnership between Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens. A house by Lutyens with a garden by Jekyll, became an Edwardian ideal. Together they designed gardens with a strong architectural background, softened by luxuriant planting.
This lecture will be held at Martin Read Hall at Alton College commencing at 7:30pm (doors open 6:45pm) CLICK HERE to see directions.
Tuesday 29th October 2026
Special Interest Day
The History, Art,Theatre & Scandal of Covent Garden
Presented by Simon Whitehouse
Further details and Booking Form will be available later in the year.
This special interest day will be held at Beech Village Hall commencing at 10:30am (doors open 10:00am for coffee) CLICK HERE to see directions.
Tuesday 10th November 2026
Osborne, Pinter and Co; Post War British Theatre
Presented by Giles Ramsey
In 1956 British theatre audiences heard a harsh new voice in John Osborne's play "Look Back in Anger". Within two years Pinter's extraordinary play "The Birthday Party"....
This lecture will be held at Martin Read Hall at Alton College commencing at 7:30pm (doors open 6:45pm) CLICK HERE to see directions.
Tuesday 8th December 2026
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht
The story of the world-renowned Christmas carol
Presented by Peter Medhurst
The Austrian carol Stille Nacht Heilige Nacht - Silent Night, Holy Night - came into being just over 1800 years after the birth of Christ, and....
This lecture will be held at Martin Read Hall at Alton College commencing at 7:30pm (doors open 6:45pm) CLICK HERE to see directions.
