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The Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras were successful in their bid to take a group of up to 50, to enjoy an exclusive private visit to Stratfield Saye House, the country home to the Dukes of Wellington since 1817, on Thursday 9 May 2019. His Grace the Duke of Wellington (President of the Friends) is very much hoping to welcome the Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras to his elegant and intimate home, his duties permitting.
Morning Coffee will be served on arrival at 10:30 a.m. The party will be divided into 5 groups of 10 and given a guided tour of the house and gardens, which offer an intriguing insight into the life of the Great Duke of Wellington. We will view the fascinating collection of paintings and furniture and see the wonderful Wellington Exhibition featuring his magnificent funeral carriage and charting his military and political life. The visit will include a light lunch, and afternoon tea. There are plans to assemble at the Cavalry & Guards Club, 127 Piccadilly, from 7:30 a.m., where coffee and breakfast will be served for those who wish it. We will leave by coach at 09:00 a.m. sharp, in order to arrive at Stratfield Saye House for a 10:30 a.m., morning coffee. The cost of the visit for members has yet to be finalised but it will be in the region of £30 per person, to which the cost of breakfast and a seat on the coach will need to be added. Members and their guests may wish to make their own way to Stratfield Saye, and to meet there at 10:30 a.m. We will need to bring our own wine and alcoholic beverages. Tea will be served at 15:30 and the visit will end at 16:30. Further details including price per person and booking procedures will follow in March. In the meantime, if you have any questions, or suggestions please email the event organiser, Bernard Hornung: Bernard@hornung.co.uk Here are two dates for your diaries.
In case you are not aware, a new book on Marshal Beresford had just been published. the author is Marcus De La Poer Beresford, a descendent of the Marshal . Cover photo and press release attached 
 The FBC are holding their Winter Recital and Reception on 27 February 2019 at the Cavalry and Guards Club, London. Full details are in the attached flyer
On the weekend of 19-21 October, a group of 17 from the Friends visited Torres Vedras. On the Friday, following a briefing by Mark Thompson, the group had dinner at a local restaurant with the Mayor of Torres Vedras, Carlos Bernardes. We then attended a very enjoyable orchestral concert by the volunteer firefighters from the city. Saturday morning, we were officially welcomed by the Mayor at the city hall and given the opportunity to try the new Licor de Vinho, Linhas de Torres Vedras. We then visited fort São Vicente and the new Interpretation Centre there. Next stop was Mount Socorro to take in the magnificent views across the Lines. Lunch was taken at Quinta da Povoa, which was the headquarters of General Spencer during the occupation of the Lines in 1810-11. Our host, Gonçalo Vasconcellos Guisado, showed us round his fascinating home, provided an excellent meal and an opportunity to try the ‘Old Nosey’ pear tonic. Saturday afternoon was spent at fort Alqueidão where a historical re-enactment was staged. Also, during this visit the Friends and the ROTA made each other honorary members of their groups. On Saturday evening, we attended the dinner to celebrate Lines of Torres Vedras Day which was held in a marquee in fort São Vicente. The food and the entertainment were excellent. Our host for the night from the City council was Ana Umbelino. Also, in attendance was ex-MP Antonio Rodrigues who was central to the official recognition of the Lines of Torres Vedras Day. On Sunday, we visited two vineyards managed by one of our members, José João Climaco Melicias (Vitiscape). Our thanks to José for his interesting talk on the vineyards and the wine trade and also for the wine tasting in beautiful settings. Our visit was a great success and the weather was fine and warm throughout. We would like to express our thanks to the Mayor for his support and attention. We would also like to thank; our guide on Saturday, Paulo Gomes; Ricardo Lopes who made most of the local arrangements and not least, our driver for the weekend, Carlos Antunes from West Shuttle. A group of 17 people from the Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras are going to celebrate Lines of Torres Vedras Day. We will spend Saturday visiting the Lines and will attend the official dinner on Saturday evening in Torres Vedras. I am looking forward to the visit. Most of us are flying out from the UK on Friday. Perhaps we will see some of you over the weekend.
I know this is very short notice, but there are still a couple of places if anyone wants to join us on the trip to Torres Vedras on the weekend of 19-21 October. Cost is 250 euro for two nights accommodation, two dinners, one lunch and all transportation. You would need to arrange your own travel to Lisbon. If anyone is interested, please contact me for more details.
Does anyone know where I can get an electronic copy of Neves Costa's 1809 proposal for the defence of Lisbon?
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