HOLY GRAIL TAPESTRIES LOANED TO KELMSCOTT MANOR IN RURAL OXFORDSHIRE Kelmscott Manor in rural Oxfordshire is famed as the country retreat of Victorian polymath William Morris who was one of the great re-inventors of ancient and disregarded crafts, rejuvenating amongst other things historic embroidery, early printing techniques, vegetable dyeing, calligraphy and tapestry weaving. Visitors to Kelmscott Manor this season can see stunning examples of his enthusiasm for this technically challenging craft. Visitors will encounter the drama of two tapestries from Morris & Co.’s breathtaking Holy Grail series, designed in 1890 and regarded as one of the greatest achievements of the Arts and Crafts movement. By that date Morris & Co. had raised the art of tapestry weaving to new heights, producing exquisite examples on looms set up at the company’s Merton Abbey works. The series was designed by Morris and his close friend and associate PreRaphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones to illustrate the quest for the Holy Grail by the Knights of the Round Table. The tapestries have been loaned to the Manor for the 2023 Open Season thanks to the generosity of one of its long-term supporters, Lord Lloyd-Webber. Kelmscott Manor is open to the public until the 28th October 2023. To find out more, visit www.sal.org.uk/kelmscott-manor DON’T MISS THE HENLEY FESTIVAL FROM THE 5TH TO THE 9TH OF JULY The Henley Festival Presented by Westcoast has revealed this year’s sensational line-up, featuring five unmissable summer nights packed full of world-class music, comedy, dining, dancing and magical moments. Westcoast is excited to continue its long association with Henley Festival in 2023 and is delighted to be supporting RISE. From Wednesday 5 July to Sunday 9 July, the UK’s only boutique blacktie festival will present an unforgettable experience on the stunning riverside in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Henley Festival is truly like no other, with a vibrant line-up of pop, world, classical, folk and jazz music sitting alongside award-winning comedy, visual art and sculpture installations on the green banks of the Thames, and first-class gastronomy. Festival goers will be enchanted late into the night by this captivating programme of music and arts – with each evening coming to an epic close with a jaw-dropping firework spectacular. As part of Henley Festival’s new charitable programme nurturing the next generation of talent - RISE - this year’s festival will give a platform for young musicians, comedians and visual artists taking their first steps on stage, as well as offering opportunities for young people aspiring to work behind the scenes. Opening this year’s Henley Festival on the iconic Floating Stage is Rag’n’Bone Man, with his characteristic blend of traditional blues and hip hop, and powerfully deep baritone voice. Henley Festival’s first night will be brought to an energetic ending by Ben Portsmouth: This is Elvis, and his jaw-dropping tribute to The King of Rock and Roll, invoking the Henley Festival Club with the spirit of Elvis. On Thursday, the Floating Stage will host Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Shane Filan and Mark Feehily, aka the most successful Irish boyband of all time: Westlife. With 36 number-one albums worldwide, Westlife is the UK’s top-selling group of the 21st century. Westlife will thrill the Henley crowd with their chart-topping hits including Flying Without Wings, World of Our Own and Uptown Girl. For a full line-up and to book, visit https://henley-festival.co.uk MACDONALD HOTELS PARTNER WITH EVC EVC has entered into an initial two-year exclusive partnership agreement with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts on a mission to make the EV switch simple. A mixture of fast and rapid chargers will be installed across the group’s portfolio, providing guests and other customers with convenient charging facilities for their electric vehicles throughout their stay. “We’re excited to announce our partnership with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts to install EV charging facilities across their portfolio. This collaboration not only signifies their commitment to a sustainable future but also enables Macdonald Hotels’ guests to conveniently charge their electric vehicles while enjoying their stay. With this partnership, we aim to create a seamless experience for EV drivers, knowing that reliable and accessible charging facilities are readily available, giving them peace of mind when travelling,” says Nick Ballamy, CEO of EVC. Hugh Cooper, development director at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with EVC to provide our guests with fantastic new charging facilities. It will greatly enhance the offering at our 30 hotels, reassuring guests that they can charge their EVs seamlessly, as they enjoy their time at our hotels, spas, golf courses, restaurants and other great amenities.” EVC will be installing the charge points on a fullyfunded basis, covering the cost of installation and ongoing maintenance of the chargers. This will be achieved by utilising spare capacity from the building supplies, as well as establishing new points of connection where necessary. Each site has different requirements and capabilities, which EVC have determined through their grid studies and site surveys throughout the UK. This ensures that each location will have the appropriate number and type of chargers installed. Demand for EV chargers is already growing exponentially as electric vehicle sales rise year on year. EVC will be installing charging facilities to meet the current demand as well as ensuring infrastructure is in place for additional chargers to be installed, future-proofing the sites. The partnership will see a large number of reliable EV charging facilities added to the network over the next two years to help meet the growing need for more EV chargers. To find out more about weddings at Macdonald Hotels which includes The Berystede in Ascot and Macdonald Windsor Hotel, visit www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk www.gettyimages.co.uk 10
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