Past Events

Alexsandra Byrne, the international make-up Artist, gave an exclusive session with tips and tricks of how to perfect a make-up routine and achieve an expensive-looking finish – “an invisible celebrity glow”.

Alexsandra Byrne is an internationally renowned make-up artist and consultant, who has worked with top models including Helena Christensen, Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell, actresses such as Judi Dench, Sienna Miller, Hilary Swank and Anna Friedl and photographers Annie Leibovitz and Mario Testino.  Alexsandra has also contributed editorial to most of the world’s top fashion magazines, including American, British and Italian Vogue as well as running workshops for brands including Christian Dior, Givenchy, The Jemma Kidd make-up School and MAC cosmetics.

Rosemary Ransome-Wallis, Curator of the Collections of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths since 1972, gave us a private visit to the splendid Goldsmiths’ Hall in the City of London, with its collection of antique and contemporary silver and jewellery.  The group also had the rare opportunity to see the working of the ancient Assay Office, housed in the basement of the Goldsmiths’ Hall.

Rosemary Ransome-Wallis is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and has acted as Honorary Advisor to such organisations as the Silver Trust for 10 Downing Street, TheVictoria and Albert Museum, and York Minster.  Rosemary has lectured all over the country including the bicentennial Lecture for ‘The Treasures of London’ touring exhibition U.S.A and at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.

Imam, Sheikh Khalil from the Ul-Bukhari Mosque in Leicester came to give an introductory talk about Islam and Muslim worship at his Mosque.  This was followed by a lively open discussion between the Imam and his large audience which revealed how keen people are to deepen their inter-faith knowledge.

Sheikh Khalil holds multi-faith talks for people of all backgrounds, cultures and religions.  These talks help to break down barriers and clear up many misconceptions and false assumptions made about Islam and Muslims.  In addition to his work at the Ul Bukhari Mosque Sheikh Khalil is Chairman of a charitable organisation called RAHMA (Mercy) that has been committed to help orphans and widows in Albania and Kosova since 1998. He is also a marriage councillor.

Jack Stocken’s teaching style is full of patience, tact and diplomacy.  Jack, together with his father, Peter Stocken (twice Chairman of the English Bridge Union), came and gave a number of very instructive courses for both early intermediates and advanced players.  He used the ARBC unique packs of cards which allow every participant to play and practice each lesson with pre-set hands designed for the particular lesson.  As well as a number of Bridge holidays in this country, Jack also runs the annual Andrew Robson Bridge Club ski holiday.

Ingrid Carter-Johnson gave two days of memorable flower demonstrations covering both contemporary and traditional themes ranging from a classical urn to an autumnal rustic basket.  Ingrid specialises in creating beautiful flower arrangements for events, weddings and parties; she has a background in theatre and set design at the BBC.

Ingrid together with two partners runs Country House flowers whose extravagant floral displays have been seen at numerous prestigious venues from the London Fashion Week to hotels such as the Dorchester and Mandarin, The Royal Hospital Chelsea, and many churches, marquees and stately homes.

Ingrid Carter Johnson’s Gallery
Ingrid Carter Johnson’s Blog

Amanda Butler ran a day-long workshop teaching watercolour painting for a small group of people ensuring that everybody got personal attention.   Amanda is a highly experienced teacher and by the end of the day both beginners and more experienced artists had all produced finished works.  Amanda Butler has exhibited widely including at the Society of Landscape Painters and the Royal Society of Watercolour Painters.  She has run classes in many different parts of England and Europe.