Past SGI-UK Events
Taplow Court Exhibition 2005
Julian Grenfell, Soldier-Poet, 1888-1915
Taplow Court was the home of Julian Grenfell, soldier-poet, author of 'Into Battle', a poem currently included in the anthology for the National Curriculum. Julian, the eldest son of Lord and Lady Desborough, was killed in Flanders in 1915 and 2005 was the 90th anniversary of his death. A commemorative exhibition was held from the end of May to the end of October. Exhibits came from the Household Cavalry Museum, Hertfordshire Record Office, descendants of the Grenfell family, Taplow School, Maidenhead Heritage Centre, Eton College, Southampton University and others. Letters, diaries, drafts of poems, photographs, posters, uniforms, medals, artefacts used in the trenches, pictures and sculpture were on display. Also included were personal items such as the blood-stained map taken from Julian's pocket when he was wounded. The exhibition also featured hands-on and try-on elements and opportunities for visitors to make their own responses and additions to the exhibition.
The Live Arts Festival included a mini-drama, 'Julian's War', with actors playing the roles of Julian and his parents. As well as illustrating the life and times of Julian Grenfell, the exhibition was an opportunity for visitors to think about wider issues of war and peace. The exhibition was the focus for teachers' days, schools' visits and creative workshops across the curriculum organised with Creative Partnerships, Slough.
Taplow Court Exhibition 2006
Harmonious History - Music through the Ages at Taplow Court
This exhibition celebrated Taplow's musical connections. Music was important in the lives of the people who have lived at Taplow Court over the centuries. In the present day, SGI-UK places great importance on music in its movement for peace, education and culture as reflected in our exhibition and third Open Days Live Arts Festival.
The exhibition recreated the atmosphere of musical life through the ages from the 7th century when Anglo-Saxon bards entertained in their halls with stories of courageous exploits accompanied by a lyre such as the one found in the Taplow burial mound.
Later, the Earls and Countesses of Orkney took part in the great state and civic occasions for which Purcell and Handel composed their finest work, including the Water Music. At the end of the 18th century, Haydn visited Taplow with his friend William Shields, the composer of, Auld Lang Syne.
Exhibits were loaned by the Museum of London, the Horniman Museum, and collectors of musical instruments as well as descendants of the families who have lived at Taplow Court in the past. Items on display included ancient trumpets, lyres, lutes, violins, and cellos; early printed music, paintings, prints, decorative art objects and memorabilia and instruments made of recycled rubbish by the children from Arbourvale Special School, Slough. Hands-on activities included instrument- making workshops.
The Live Arts Festival complemented the exhibition with performances of the work of composers and musicians, past and present, linked to Taplow Court and culminated in an orchestral concert in aid of UNICEF.
