So often we attend a church regularly but do not get to know other members of the congregation as well as we'd like. Culture Vulture Ventures brings together the current cultural scene with a friendly fun atmosphere  (meal, drink, afternoon tea!) so that we can enjoy a sociable and cultural feast together!

Keep an eye on this page for details of Forthcoming Ventures!

Venture to the Royal Mews:

The Royal Mews is one of the finest working stables in existence and home to the royal collection of historic coaches and carriages.  These are in regular use – most recently for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - and at the moment the 1902 State Landau, in which the newly weds travelled from the Abbey to Buckingham Palace, is on view.

We will visit on Thursday July 21st, joining a guided tour at 11.00am and then Margaret will host a buffet lunch at her home nearby.  Total cost (including a donation to St John's redevelopment appeal) is £35. Please give Margaret payment to secure your place.

Venture to the Ballet - Charity Gala:

Our very own Fernando Montano, First Artist with the Royal Ballet, will be dancing at a Charity Gala at the Britten Theatre, Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Rd SW7 2BS on Sunday 11th September at 7.30pm.  Dancers from The Royal Ballet and English National Ballet will perform new ballets by Wayne Eagling, Erico Montes and Paul Jones.

The Gala is supporting the charity The Water Project, which is a non-profit organization bringing clean water to communities in Africa which suffer from a lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation.  Fernando will be dancing the Pas de Deux from Delibes' Coppelia and possibly Le Corsaire.  Those who saw Fernando's last performance as Actaeon at the Royal College will know what a treat this promises to be.  Tickets are £30 each.  Please give Margaret payment to secure your place.

South Pacific at the Barbican:

Friday 30th September. Supper 5.30pm, performance 7.30pm

Those who enjoyed our choir's fundraising 'Night at the Opera' back in January, will remember the waves of nostalgia that washed over the audience as the choir sang numbers from Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific at the end of the evening. Well, now we have a chance to watch the whole show, when it comes to the Barbican Centre for 7 weeks over the summer.

After consulting the Box Office, it seems that the full impact of this spectacle is experienced best from the higher tiers of the auditorium, and so I have 10 front row seats reserved for Culture Vultures for the evening of Friday 30th September in the Upper Circle. Tickets are £40 each. We meet for supper beforehand in the Barbican restaurant - pre-theatre suppers are £24.50 for two courses (£29.50 for 3) including tea/coffee, Service and VAT. Please give Margaret £65 to secure your ticket and supper

reservations.