by Wickhambrook History Society
At the April meeting of the History Society, the evening started with the AGM. The Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer reported on a successful year and members re-elected all committee members to serve for a further year, thus showing great faith in the team.
The evening continued with a talk by Geoffrey Datson, assisted by his wife Anne. The subject was The 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the Cambridge Music Society which took place in 1893.
This was organised by Charles Villiers Stanford, the Chairman of the Society and it was a fascinating glimpse into the world of Victorian composers. Honorary Degrees were offered to eminent composers San Saens, Boito, Bruch , Greig and Tchaikovsky who all accepted the offer and agreed to play in a concert to be followed by dinner and ‘conversatzione’which lasted late into the night. Greig was ill on the day and could not take part so Stanford played in his place. The following day saw the Degrees awarded, followed by lunch. The whole thing sounded exhausting and was fraught with problems for Stanford as he tried to organise these men who were great celebrities in their day.
The next meeting of the Society is on Tuesday 21st May and is ‘The History of the Elveden Estate and its development to a Modern Farm’ by Ian Robertson.
Outings are planned for June 19 (Jordan’s Mill) and July 25th (Tour of the Fens) Please contact the secretary for information, look out for our posters or check the village website.