Royal Patron attends celebrations to mark fifty fighting years

Arriving at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London on Monday evening,  His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester spent some time looking at Saving a Century, the anniversary exhibition of the Victorian Society before repairing to the Jarvis Hall to hear a special anniversary lecture by the Society's Life-President, Lord Briggs. A founder member of the Victorian Society, Lord Briggs is perhaps best known for his trilogy Victorian People (1954), Victorian Cities (1963) and Victorian Things (1988), which shaped subsequent perceptions of the nineteenth century. His lecture, 'Three Jubilees', drew on the golden jubilee of the Victorian Society as well as the golden and diamond jubilees of Queen Victoria and reflected on the role that conservation has to play in shaping the environment of the future.

‘We’re delighted that His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester was able to attend our special anniversary lecture,’ said Dr Colin Cunningham, Chairman of the Victorian Society. ‘Education has always been at the heart of the Victorian Society's work to win appreciation and protection for the nation's best Victorian and Edwardian buildings. As one of our founder members, Lord Briggs has a special insight into the aims and development of the organisation. His lecture was a landmark event.'