Lady Elizabeth Brunner came from a famous theatrical family, she was granddaughter of Henry Irving and acted as a young woman. She married Sir Felix Brunner in 1937 and moved to live at Greys Court (now owned by the National Trust) near Henley-on-Thames, where she lived for the rest of her life, creating a beautiful garden.

Lady Brunner was a member of Greys WI and rose quickly, via the Oxfordshire Federation Chairmanship, to become the third National Chairman of the NFWI from 1951-1956. She proposed the resolution that led to the formation of Denman and was deeply involved in the purchase and subsequent development of the College, maintaining a keen and generous interest in it for the whole of her life.

At this unique event her son, Sir Hugo Brunner, will spend the morning sharing his memories of his mother and his life at Greys Court, telling us more about what we will see on our visit there in the afternoon. He will be accompanied by Anne Stamper, WI Honorary Archivist, who will look at some of the important WI events of the 1950s, including the ‘WI House’ designed for the Ideal Homes Exhibition and the 1957 NFWI Drama Festival, which was particularly dear to Lady Brunner and featured the cycle of plays ‘Out of this Wood’ written specially for the WI by Robert Gittings.

9:30am –              Guests Arrive for Morning Coffee and Pastries

10:00am –            Discussion with Sir Hugo Brunner and Anne Stamper

12:00pm –           2 course lunch

1:00pm –             Depart Denman by Coach for a Visit to Greys Court, accompanied by Anne Stamper

4:30pm –              Depart Greys Court to Return to Denman

Arrivals:

If coming by car, please follow the drive past the main house and park in the car park at the end. Overflow parking is available beyond this car park, in Lime Walk. Please park ‘nose in’ between the trees and walk back to the main house.

 Tutor profile

 Anne Stamper is a member of Ringmer WI in East Sussex. She is the WI Honorary Archivist..  She is also archivist to her local parish church.

Price of Course:    WI Member £45.00, Non-Member £50.00