MMT Events

The History of Kensal Green Cemetery and its Mausolea

Date: Thursday 19th May 2022

Time: 18:30

Location: Online

Henry, who still conducts many tours of the cemetery, will lead us through its history and development with particular emphasis on the large number of mausolea, buildings which are still being constructed to this day.

Henry Vivian-Neal is an author and historian who has written and co-authored a number of books and publications about Kensal Green Cemetery, the most recent of which in 2019 was Their Exits: Encore (Together with co-author, Alexander Bisset). He also published in 2017 (with James Stevens Curl) The Architecture of Kensal Green Cemetery.

Price: £5.00

Book your tickets here:

Standard tickets: (£5.00)

Waking a Sleeping Giant: Restoring the heart of Britain's oldest hospital

Date: Thursday 23rd June 2022

Time: 18:30

Location: Online

Will Palin is the Chief Executive of Barts Heritage and will talk about the planned project to conserve and renovate James Gibbs's great North Wing at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City of London.

The North Wing comprises the celebrated Hogarth Stair and the monumental Great Hall. The project is designed to coincide with the 900th anniversary of the founding of St Bartholomew's Hospital in 2023.

Note: This talk will be an interesting introduction to the 2022 MMT Annual Lecture, which will be given by Charles Saumarez Smith and held in the North Wing on September 22nd. More details and booking information for the Annual Lecture to follow.

Price: £5.00

Book your tickets here:

Standard tickets: (£5.00)

Visit to Rockingham Monument and Old Holy Trinity Church Wentworth, Rotherham

Date: Thursday 7th July 2022

Time: 13:00

Location: Wentworth

The Rockingham Monument can be seen from Wentworth Woodhouse. It is flanked by four obelisks, brought from the west front of the mansion in 1793 and encircled by an iron railing. Although usually described as a mausoleum, it would be more accurate to call it a cenotaph or tribute. It is of three stages; at ground level there is a walled chamber, the first floor is open-sided but shelters a sarcophagus, and the top storey takes the form of a ring of columns capped by a cupola. Standing in the middle of the chamber of the ground floor is a statue of the Marquis by Nollekens, its pedestal inscribed with epitaphs by Edmund Burke and Montagu. The four niches in the walls contain paired bases for busts, inscribed with the names of Rockingham’s closest friends: Edmund Burke, Charles James Fox, Admiral Keppel, Lord John Cavendish, John Lee, the Duke of Portland, Frederick Montagu and Sir George Saville. The busts themselves (by Nollekens) have been removed for safekeeping.

The event will also include a tour of Old Holy Trinity Church at Wentworth, the crypt of which contains many fascinating features including:

• the impressive Chest Tomb of 1587 holding the remains of Thomas Wentworth and his wife Margaret Gascoigne.
• the gravestone of a 13th Century Crossbowman is thought to be one of only three still extant.
• the monuments of Sir William Wentworth, the first baronet and his wife, the lady Anne, together with their large family (in the centre of his siblings is the armoured figure of the future Earl of Strafford),
• the Memorial to Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford executed on Tower Hill on 12th May 1641 after Charles I had signed the Bill of Attainder.
• the Painted Glass Windows include the arms of the 2nd Earl of Strafford and his wife. Her monogram ‘HMS’ can be seen repeatedly both in the windows and the family pew.
• the two Hatchments those of the 1st Marquis of Rockingham, the builder of Wentworth Woodhouse stately home and of his heir, the 2nd Marquis who became Prime Minister twice in the mid-18th century.
• the Fitzwilliam Crypt, completed in the early 19th century. Viscount Milton, traveller and author of ‘The Northwest Passage by Land’, an account of his journeys in Canada, is buried here.

Places are limited so bookings will be on a first-come first-served basis - joining instructions will be sent after booking.

MEMBER ONLY EVENT - Price: £15.00

Please read the Disclaimer below - by booking tickets you confirm that you have read and accept them.

Book your tickets here:

Member tickets: (£15.00)

Disclaimer - Please note:

The organisers of this excursion have carried out a risk assessment but please note that paths, floors, steps and fittings in and around historic buildings may often be uneven and participants are expected to take reasonable care. None of the officers, committee or members of the Mausolea and Monuments Trust and no leader or organiser of any event, visit, walk or programme promoted by the Society shall be liable in respect of the death of, or injury, damage or loss to, any person or the property of any person, which may occur or arise out of participation in any such event, visit, walk or programme. Some churches and other venues on this excursion have no lavatories and there may be no access to washrooms except at lunch stops.

By booking this event, you confirm that you have read and accept this disclaimer and have informed the organisers if you have mobility or other problems which may affect you on this excursion.