Events
The Society organises a programme of events across the year for members and non-members. It also highlights other events that it participates in or wishes to promote to a wider audience.
To book an event, please complete the form at the bottom of this page.
Event Programme 2026
Saturday 21 Feb Annual General Meeting
1.30pm, St. Mary’s Church Hall, North Bar Within, Beverley HU17 8DL
1.30 p.m. Review of the Year. Presentation by Austen Redman
2.00 p.m. AGM
2.30 p.m. Break to allow entry for non-members
With an illustrated lecture entitled: ‘Renaissance at Castle Howard: The Tapestry Room’ by Francis Terry. The lecture will begin at 2.45pm.
Francis Terry and Associates, traditional architects based in Colchester, is one of the country’s leading firms designing new-build and restoring country houses and other buildings in the classical Georgian style.
The new Tapestry Drawing Room at Castle Howard is a completely new architectural treatment to a room which was destroyed by fire in 1940. The room had been left as an empty shell of charred stonework ever since. Francis Terry and Associates were given the brief to restore the room in accordance with Vanbrugh’s original intentions, which included incorporating the four Vanderbank tapestries that were designed and woven for the room in 1706. Care has been taken to use traditional materials and techniques where possible. All architectural elements of the project were hand drawn by Francis Terry at full size. Everything in the room, apart from the antiques, paintings, and tapestries, was made in the UK. The crafts used for this room include: – hand carved timber classical ornament, traditional run plasterwork, scagliola manufacture and gilding. The craftsmanship is truly outstanding, and it is a joy to see that the UK is still world leaders in these fields.
Free (members). £5 (non-members). Booking essential
Friday 29 May Visit to Wassand Hall
2pm Meet at the railings at the top of the entrance drive leading to Wassand Hall, Seaton, HU11 5RJ
A fine house, Wassand Hall dates from 1813. It was designed by Thomas Cundy for Rev. Charles Constable. It was restored by Francis Johnson in 1947, and its Regency interiors remain largely intact. Our afternoon visit begins with a tour of the house. This will be followed by tea and cakes and the opportunity to stroll around Wassand’s two walled gardens.
£20 (members), £25 (non-members), including tea and cake. Booking required before 8th May 2026
Saturday 4 July Day Trip to Barton-upon-Humber
10.30am / 4pm Meet at Baysgarth House Museum, Baysgarth Park, Caistor Rd, Barton DN18 6AH
Having been a family home for over 200 years, Baysgarth House was gifted to the townspeople of Barton in 1930, entering a new phase in its rich and varied history. In recent times, this has involved a major restoration. Our visit will begin with tea and scones, followed by a tour of house by CEO, Liz Bennet, who continues to oversee the restoration project. Members may then chose to visit the Ropewalk, with its appetizing lunch menu. The afternoon tour of Barton will be led by John French, MBE, President of Barton Civic Society. We will meet at 2pm at Wilderspin School Museum carpark on Queen Street. The tour will end around 3pm and be followed by a visit to Wilderspin School Museum.
£25 (members), £30 (non-members), to include tea and cake at Baysgarth House and admission to Wilderspin School Museum.
Saturday 5 September ‘Minor pleasures of York revisited’, a tour with Edward Waterson, past chairman of GSEY
10.30am / 12 mid-day Meet outside York City Art Gallery
Member will recall the enjoyable tours conducted by Edward Waterson in the past, as he introduced them to the little-known buildings and areas of York.
£5 (members), £10 (non-members)
Saturday 24 October at St John of Beverley Church, Harpham
2pm-4pm, To commemorate the conservation by York Glaziers Trust of five nationally important Georgian stained and painted glass windows by William Peckitt of York
Three talks:
Harpham Church and St John of Beverley: Ruth Beckett
The conservation of the William Peckitt glass: Susanna Wyse Jackson of York Glaziers Trust
The St Quintin family and their monuments: David Neave
Followed by the dedication of the conserved windows by Revd Maxine Waller and the opportunity to explore the church and inspect the windows and monuments. Ending with wine/soft drinks and nibbles.
N.B. There is no charge, but donations welcomed towards the conservation of the two Peckitt windows in the nave.
In order to have an indication of numbers Georgian Society for East Yorkshire members are requested to let the Secretary know by email ([email protected] ) by 17 October if they plan to attend.
St John of Beverley, Harpham has one of the most interesting church interiors in East Yorkshire. Originally Norman, the church was remodelled in the mid-late14th century with the addition of the tower and north chapel. Refitted in the mid 18th century with box pews, pulpit and west gallery. The north chapel and chancel house a fine collection of monuments to the St Quintin family from the late 12th to 20th century. The recently conserved windows, glazed in 1763 for Sir William St Quintin, depict in heraldry the St Quintin pedigree from the Conquest onwards. The stained and enamel painted glass is the work of the York glass painter William Peckitt (1731-95), the most famous glazier of his day. “The Harpham scheme showcases Peckitt’s considerable skill and displays his command of the challenging technique of applying and firing coloured enamels to an uncoloured base glass. The scheme displays examples of the ‘ruby stain’ for which he was renowned, an attempt to replicate the richness of medieval red glasses.” (Sarah Brown,)
The cost of the conservation of the five completed windows was met by Harpham Parochial Church Council with the help of grants from the Georgian Society for East Yorkshire’s Margaret Dibb Bequest and the William and Jane Morris Fund of the Society of Antiquaries.
Events must be booked in advance using the events enquiry form below.