Essex Group Social, AGM & Dinner 2024

Event details

Sunday 28 July 2024, 5 - 10pm

Join the Essex Group for a guided tour of Layer Marney Tower with its owners Nicholas and Sheila Charrington, followed by a two-course dinner and raffle.

Layer Marney Tower

Go behind the scenes at this Tudor house, originally built around 1520 by Henry, 1st Lord Marney, and visited both by Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Henry VIII believed that a building should reflect the magnificence of its owner and the Marneys enthusiastically entered into this courtly game of one upmanship, building tall, with lavish use of terracotta and stucco, together with decorative detailing derived from Italy. You will have the chance to admire their legacy for yourself during your visit.

The Tower has been a family home for the Charrington family for over 50 years and we are fortunate that the current owners and SPAB Members, Nicholas and Sheila Charrington, will lead the guided tours.

Tours will take in not only those parts of the building normally open to the public, but also the family's private quarters, as well as the adjacent Church of St Mary the Virgin, rebuilt by Sir Henry Marney in brick in the early 16th century.

AGM

We will hold a brief AGM for the Essex Regional Group between the tour and dinner.

Dinner and raffle

The ticket price includes a welcome drink followed by a two-course meal, in the lively company of your fellow Members. A cash bar will also be available.

Dress code

Please wear a jacket and tie or other smart casual clothes.

Tickets

Members and up to three guests £36

Non Members £39

Accessibility 

There are accessible toilets and parking spaces, as well as step-free access. There are 99 steps to the top of the Tudor tower with no lift. We can cater for dietary restrictions, if indicated on the booking form. 

Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email membership@spab.org.uk.

Thanks

Many thanks to Nicholas and Sheila Charrington for opening their home for the visit. Many thanks also to local historic building specialists and SPAB Corporate Supporter Bakers of Danbury for subsidising the ticket price and providing prizes for the raffles.

Booking Terms and Conditions

Image credit: Layer Marney Tower courtesy of Nicholas Charrington