Bradbourne House, East Malling, Kent

A glorious evening, 17th March 1990. Early Spring, Kent at its best with daffodils and primroses, greeted into a very interesting house with sherry, superb portraits of its owners, the litigious Twisden family, an excellent buffet meal and wine plus a delightful selection of music with Kentish associations.

This was the setting for one of the K.A.S. evenings and it was an outstanding success. Not only because of the large number of members (110) attending, including Lord and Lady Cornwallis, but also because of the organization and work behind the scenes by our Library committee and its Chairman, Peter Draper, whose inspiration it all was.

Michael Ocock's talk on the house was very informative and his research will be valued by all who appreciate English architecture, particularly as the future of the site has threats of housing development hanging over it.

Details were provided by David Cleggett of the recently reattributed and restored Twisden family portraits and one could examine and compare the fascinating family likenesses.

Particularly noteworthy is that of the formidable Judge Twisden whose black cap can now be clearly seen. Also, not one portrait of that member of the last generation who became a porter at Ashtead Station.

After a fine buffet, we were entertained in the Great Hall by Bryan Gipps and a group of his friends presenting music of Kent from the earliest times to the present day. Mr. Gipps' selection and accompaniment together with his detailed researches made up an interesting and unusual concert.

The earliest piece was the majestic Crux Fideles which was possibly sung by Augustine and his fellow priests on their arrival in Kent in the 6th Century. Works by Tallis and Richard Dering together with those of George Merson, who was organist at Canterbury Cathedral, made an interesting renaissance section.

Anne Boleyn's lament, a work of haunting beauty, was movingly sung by Donna Carding. Whether this was actually written by the tragic queen or not, it remains a lovely piece of music.

Our century was remembered by the Canterbury composer Alan Ridout and the 'Kentish Hop-pickers' song and so back to Twentieth-century reality. A really first-class evening.

Ray Rolinson, An Antipodean Member.