AGM held on Monday 7th October 2024 at Polesden Lacey

The BAFRA AGM this year was held at Polesden Lacey, near Dorking, in Surrey.  Polesden Lacey is a National Trust property dating back to 14th century, with a new house built on the site in the early 19th century by Thomas Cubitt.

The building today houses an eclectic mix of furniture, paintings and ceramics dating from the 17th century through to the early 20th century, when, in 1906, the Hon. Ronald and Mrs Grenville bought the house and enhanced the interior in the Edwardian style, whilst still retaining and collecting items of antiquity from the past.

Following an introduction to Polesden Lacey by their General Manager, Hilary Jarvis, members were treated to a detailed and interesting talk on the furniture collection by Alice Strickland, National Trust Regional Curator, and Megan Wheeler, Assistant National Trust Curator, with a Q&A session at the end.

The talk included several references to items of furniture listed below, which the group was encouraged to go and see whilst moving around the house interacting with the guest speakers. 

As shown left to right:        Commode of uncertain origin

                                                Commode - Jacques Philippe Carel

                                                Lacquer commode - attributed to Pierre Eloy Langlois

                                                Chinese bureau on stand

                                                Cabinet on stand

                                                 Lacquer secretaire - Jean-Baptiste Tuart

Senior National Trust Conservator, Loredana Mannina, then concluded the talk outlining the National Trust plan for the future, including the need to interact with organisations like BAFRA, with the emphasis on conservation and restoration on items of antiquity. 

The AGM then took place in the Saloon.  Various topics were raised, with the emphasis on how BAFRA was to move forward and with some very positive interaction from both current and new members. 

The Chairman, the Committee and members of BAFRA who attended the AGM, would very much like to thank everyone from the National Trust and those at Polesden Lacey who made us welcome on the day, and provided an interesting talk on the house, its history and the contents and then engaged with us as we jointly toured the house.