Harlaxton During the Summer

The month of May proved to be as busy and exciting as we had anticipated with the resident summer groups following their hectic individual schedules of classes and visits but also finding time to explore the grounds around the Manor and enjoy the early summer gardens. The gardens at Harlaxton are very special and are constantly developing - the tree paeonies planted a few years ago, for example, are now flowering beautifully and, more recently, six mature flowering cherry trees have been planted adjacent to the Carriage House. A number of these are being dedicated to the Class of 1979-1980, whilst others  are to be dedicated to the memory of students from the 1980-1981 cohort. June is also the month when the rhododendrons covering the hillside above the manor come into flower – a carpet of purples and reds that make the setting of the Manor even more wonderful.

 

One group of students, from Indiana University Kokomo, was very keen to make its own contribution to Harlaxton Manor whilst learning some basics of horticulture at the same time.  They spent an afternoon helping in the grounds, taking instruction from Head Gardener, Andrew Potter, and then practicing their new found skills by undertaking a number of practical tasks in the gardens.

 

Summer Schools continue in June with three of the groups that arrived in May, the University of Evansville Summer School, a group of Health Professionals from Evansville and students from the University of Southern Indiana, staying on into June. Early in June Harlaxton also welcomed groups from Eastern Illinois and Ivy Technology Community College, both making return visits to Harlaxton, whilst later in the month the College will be hosting its annual Partner College Conference. Three days of intense activity provides Harlaxton College, the University of Evansville and its Partner Colleges with the opportunity to review, discuss and plan for the students and faculty members who will be living and learning together here during the coming academic year and beyond.

 

Harlaxton also receives residential visitors from the UK and during the last weekend in June the Manor will be alive with the ‘sound of music’ as young musicians from the Nottingham Youth Orchestra take up residence for a few days.

 

In terms of cultural events the recent recitals, one given by Iva Fleischhansova (violin) and Tomas Visek (piano) in aid of the Red Cross and the other by Joseph Hopkins (baritone) and Michael Patilla (guitar) who performed a recital of Spanish, American and English songs were both very warmly received by appreciative audiences. The acoustical splendour of the Great Hall provides an ideal setting for music making and the performers enjoy this as much as those who come to listen. The final recital in the Red Cross series of Harlaxton Summer Music concerts will be a piano recital by Faye Gossedge, an outstanding pianist currently studying at the Birmingham Conservatoire, on 11 June.

 

The house tours continue, with many different groups visiting: recently this included the Irish Georgian Society whose members arrived in style in Rolls Royce cars! We know from the letters we receive that these visits, which are often tailored to meet specific interests, are very much appreciated. Other special recent events have included a very special 60^th birthday party and a conference for English Heritage.

 

To discuss opportunities for summer study or other events at Harlaxton contact Edward Bujak, Vice Principal for Academic Services, (email: ebujak@harlaxton.ac.uk) or Cynthia Marke, Programmes Coordinator, (email: cmarke@harlaxton.ac.uk).