The National Trust has listed the iconic Birmingham Gardens Regal Cinema on its Register to denote its historical significance to the Heaton and Birmington Gardens community. The Regal, formerly the Heaton and Birmingham Gardens Community Hall, was built in 1931. The energetic Bruce Avard ran the theatre, Newcastle’s last remaining suburban cinema, for 38 years. Unable to afford the council-required upgrade, he was forced to close his doors at the end of October. Now that it is longer in use as a cinema, the site may be vulnerable to redevelopment or alteration, prompting its listing on the Trust’s Register.

In 1975, the Trust purchased a Steam Winding Engine from the Hebburn No. 2 Colliery near Cessnock to save it from being scrapped. Relocated to Goulburn, over $150,000 of Bicentennial grant funding was spent restoring the engine in 1988-1990. Now, 30 years after its rescue, the engine has recently been moved to the new Newcastle Regional Museum, to form a key exhibit with their ex-colliery headframe. As its original installation was at the Sea Pit Colliery in central Newcastle, it is considered by the Museum to be a significant local artefact. Ownership will be transferred to the Museum in the near future.  

There is still time to enter the draw to win a holiday for two people to the luxury resorts Wrotham Park and Silky Oaks Lodge in Far North Queensland, valued at $9,000. All new members go straight into the draw; existing members can also enter by referring a friend. The competition closes Friday 8 December. The draw will take place at S H Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill, on Friday 15 December, 11am -for 11.30 draw. Special guest Angela Catterns from the Vega 95.3fm Breakfast Show will draw the winner and announce our new promotion for 2007. If you would like to attend please email staleski@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au. For further competition information visit http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/queensland.asp

The National Trust is running a special membership offer for all e-news subscribers. Buy a gift membership or join the National Trust (NSW) before 22 December 2006 and receive 15% off the annual membership fee! Call 02 9258 0156 and mention November e-news to receive this discount. (This discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and applies to the annual membership fee in the first year of joining. Joining fee applies).

Also see our website for some Christmas shopping ideas to make life easy - order and pay by phone and get your 10% member discount. Choose from the range of art and culture books at S H Ervin Gallery Shop, or select from a list of goodies for home delivered, custom filled Christmas gift baskets – a speciality of the Killara Shop. Other products include
our signature Trust diary and address book. See http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/shop/

Begin the festive season with Carols by Candlelight for the whole family at National Trust property Old Government House, Parramatta Park. Enjoy the 30 piece band and choristers, while Santa Claus and his elves will also make a special appearance!  Candles, BBQ, Christmas cake and drinks will be available on the night. Admission is free; however, a gold coin donation would be greatly appreciated. Bookings essential as space is limited. Book at www.friendsofogh.com or call 0416 026 816.

S H Ervin Gallery’s The Year in Art has a reputation as one of the ‘must see’ annual Sydney exhibitions. It presents a unique opportunity to view highlights from Sydney’s vibrant art scene during the past year. Our selectors have visited galleries and artist-run spaces to bring together a visually dynamic exhibition comprising both emerging and established artists, such as Imants Tillers, Bronwyn Oliver, Bill Henson, Andy Goldsworthy, Robyn Stacey, Jonathon Delafield Cook, Guan Wei, Gordon Bennett and many others. A series of Sunday afternoon gallery talks at 3pm provides an opportunity to learn more about the artists, their work and themes in contemporary art. For information visit www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

Image: Sean Cordeiro & Clare Healy, Takadanobaba 2005

Running until January, the National Trust’s Norman Lindsay Gallery in Faulconbridge is showing a special selection of Lindsay’s work. The prolific artist had a special interest in animals – domestic, exotic and imaginary – and often incorporated them into his art. The etchings, pen and ink drawings, watercolours and pencil sketches feature cats, leopards, panthers, parrots, peacocks and goats plus mythical creatures such as satyrs and unicorns. For more information visit www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

An exhibition of Mountain Quilts is opening at Everglades, the National Trust property in Leura, on 9 December at 5pm. The sumptuous display of textile artistry by the Lady Quilters of the Upper Blue Mountains features an East-West quilt design by Charmian Corbett interpreted variously by members of the group. Traditional Japanese designs and techniques such as sashiko quilting and origam find new expression in Western colour combinations and fabrics. For opening times please visit www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

This fun-filled annual event will be held on 24 and 25 March 2007, at National Trust property Norman Lindsay Gallery, Faulconbridge. Some big names have already been confirmed including Jackie French (pictured), Anna Fienburg and Gus Gordon. Presented by the National Trust and Dymocks. For more information visit http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

Located in the beautiful house and garden of historic Eryldene, this annual fair provides a wonderful opportunity to prepare for Christmas. A diverse range of goods available for purchase includes children’s wear, soft furnishings, gourmet foods and jewellery. The Eryldene Café will present a special Christmas menu for guests. Fair runs from 10am – 4pm over the weekend, admission free. All proceeds go to the maintenance and preservation of this beautiful and historic property. Eryldene is located at 17 McIntosh St, Gordon. For more information please call 9498 2271.