On Thursday 5 th July 2018 we will be visiting Flatford Mill and the surrounding Constable Countryside; and Lavenham. Travel will be by executive coach. Flatford Mill is a Grade I listed watermill on the River Stour at Flatford in East Bergholt, Suffolk. It is where England s greatest landscape artist, John Constable, was born and painted many of his most famous paintings like the Haywain which have defined the English countryside. According to the date-stone the mill was built in 1733, but some of the structure may be earlier. Attached to the mill is a Grade 1 listed 17th-century miller's thatched cottage owned by the National Trust. This cottage features in several paintings by Constable. The mill was owned by the artist John Constable s father and is noted, along with its immediate surroundings as the location for many of Constable's works. It is referred to in the title of one of his most iconic paintings, Flatford Mill (Scene on a Navigable River), and mentioned in the title or is the subject of several others including: Flatford Mill from a lock on the river Stour; Flatford Mill from the lock (A water mill). The Lock.The Hay Wain, which features Willy Lott s Cottage, was painted from the front of the mill. Other attractions include Flatford Granary, which was originally a wool store serving Flatford Fulling Mill and later became a grain store and Valley Farm, built in the early 15th-century, and looking today much as it did 600 years ago. One of the best ways to experience the countryside that John Constable knew and loved is to walk in the area. On the day it will be possible to go on the Constable tour organised by
the National Trust. This takes 1 hour 15 minutes and is in the open air. The tour distance is 500 yards over tarmac, grass and gravel and appropriate footwear and clothing is necessary. Unfortunately there are few places to sit and it is not possible to use mobility vehicles, but you could always bring a shooting stick or similar. Two of Constable s best known and loved paintings: THE HAY WAIN 1821 BOAT BUILDING ON THE STOUR 1814-15
Described as quintessentially English..The country s most beautiful medieval village in all its half-timbered glory It is noted for its 15th century church, half-timbered medieval cottages and circular walk. In the medieval period it was among the 20 wealthiest settlements in England. # Lavenham Guildhall was built in 1529 and stands in the centre of the village overlooking the market square. It is one of the finest timber-framed buildings in Britain and reflects the great wealth of Lavenham's early 16th century heyday. We can explore the picturesque streets of Lavenham, lined with fine examples of Medieval and Tudor timber-framed buildings from Lavenham's heyday.
LAVENHAM GUILDHALL Detailed arrangements about timing and lunch and other refreshments on the day will be confirmed nearer the date of the visit.
Please return your completed form to any Committee member or member of the outings team at a monthly or group meeting or coffee meeting. If you are sending it by post, please see below for address. Please reserve place(s) on this outing at 22.00 per head. This includes 3.50 for the guided tour of Flatford Mill. For non-members of the National Trust the additional charge for the Lavenham Guildhall tour, to be paid on the day, will be 5.75(group rate); for NT members there is no charge for this. I enclose/ attach a cheque, payable to Meopham U3A (social account), for.. (full amount due.) Cheques will be paid into the MU3A social account approx.1month before the outing date. Coach pick-up at (tick one) Culverstone. Meopham Church. Istead Rise. I am/ am not/ (please delete one of these) a member of the National Trust Name(s)... U3A membership number(s) e-mail if you have a mobile phone it would be very useful to have your number so that we can contact you if any problems arise on the day. mobile number if you have a mobility problem, please give main details:. all information on this form will only be used in connection with outings organised by Meopham U3A. You can register a booking by email to David: davidbvchmeopu3a@gmail.com and it will be held for 7 days to enable you to send your payment in full. If you are applying by post, please send to: David Burkitt - 35 Gorringe Avenue, South Darenth DA49LT Please email or telephone David if you would like additional details about this outing davidbvchmeopu3a@gmail.com - 01322 867066 or 07535266539