2024 Candlelight Wassail

Royal Heritage Members and their guests plan to usher in the 2024 holiday season by attending the RHS’s annual traditional Scottish Wassail held as always at Ormiston Mansion, the society’s 1798 home.  Ormiston will be decorated in all its best holiday finery. This year’s Wassail will be held on Wednesday December 4th, 2024 from 6:30 PM until 9:30 PM. The Ormiston front parlor Christmas tree will dazzle guests as they walk through the front door.  The tree will sport that special Ormiston WOW factor. It will be festooned with red plaid ribbons,  gleaming ornaments and sparkling lights.

The evening festivities will begin in the mansion’s first floor dining room where copious hors d’oeuves and holiday drinks will be served in the mansion’s dining room. After guests have enjoyed these, they will move to the large second-floor reception room where a holiday dinner will be served buffet style with traditional favorites.  In the adjacent President’s Room, an assortment of deserts will be available along with coffee and tea for all to enjoy after their holiday meal. 

Following the Wassail’s buffet dinner, the evening’s highlight is the caroling that occurs when all the guests return to the first-floor front parlor.  In recent years, Jack Williams, long-time RHS member, has played the piano and led the guests in singing well known Christmas carols.   As in past years at the end of the evening, everyone will sing the British hymn, Jerusalem, written by William Blake.  Jerusalem, considered the alternative British national anthem, ends the evening on a high note.

This year the RHS will honor former President, Tom Elsasser.  Tom Elsasser, a graduate of the US Naval Academy with a distinguished Naval career, upon his retirement served for many years as President of the Royal Heritage Society.

Invitations have been mailed to the 2024 membership.  The cost for the Wassail is $55 for members and $60 for their guests.  Please make checks payable to:  Royal Heritage Society.  Mail to:  Susan Jablokov; PO Box 403 Wayne, PA  19087;  information: 215-470-3562; sjablokov@yahoo.com.

RSVP no later than November 30th, 2024.

 

Oliver St. Clair Franklin honored by The Royal Heritage Society of Delaware Valley

from SusanScovill.com   June 12, 2023

1. The Royal Heritage Society of Delaware Valley and guests honored Oliver St. Clair Franklin, the Commander of the Most Excellent Order Of the British Empire and  Honorary British Consul for Greater Philadelphia during an event held in the Garden of Ormiston Mansion in Fairmount Park, on Sunday, June 11, 2023.  Proclamations from the office of the Mayor of Philadelphia and David Oh were presented to Oliver St. Clair Franklin. Following the Presentation guests enjoyed a buffet lunch, sweets table, sparkling wine, beer and Pimm’s Cup Punch. The following is a pictorial of the event.

2. Debbie Webster (center) chatted with, Annie, Sarah and Carol Neilson

3. Julie Jensen Bryan admired Susan Gerrity’s trifle – a popular dessert in the UK.

4. David Leslie Hughes and Norma Sheward chatted with Peter Longstreth (center)

5. Taylor LaRossa and Elizabeth Sweeney paused for a photo with David Oh who presented a proclamation.

6.Pat Mikols and Oliver St. Clair Franklin enjoyed a moment in front of the Union Jack

7.  Tom Elsasser,  David Leslie Hughes, DavId Oh,  Susan Jablokov,  Bishop Luke Kukose  and Susan Gerrity paused for a photo with Oliver St. Clair Franklin (center) following the Proclamation Presentation

8. Debbie Webster shared a moment with Renee and Greg Cantwell

9. Oliver St. Clair Franklin, his wife Pat, son Julien, daughter-in-law Nikki and their daughter Maxine (age 3) paused for a Franklin family portrait!

LUNCHEON FOR OLIVER ST. CLAIR

On Sunday, June 11th at 2:00 PM the Royal Heritage Society will hold a Buffet Lunch to honor the Honorary British Consul for Greater Philadelphia - Oliver St. Clair Franklin.  Before Queen Elizabeth passed away, she bestowed upon him the rank of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. This will be a casual affair held in the Garden of Ormiston Mansion.  It is a children friendly event. 

For more information: Susan Jablokov@yahoo.com or 315-470-3562

The Coronation Emblem

This emblem will be featured throughout historic celebrations related to the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, 2023. The emblem pays tribute to The King’s love of the natural world, unifying the flora of the four nations of the United Kingdom; the rose of England, the thistle of Scotland, the daffodil of Wales and the shamrock of Northern Ireland. Together, the flowers create the shape of St Edward’s Crown, with which His Majesty The King will be crowned during the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, 6th May. The emblem has been designed using the red, white and blue of the union flag. 

The emblem will be featured throughout the historic celebrations in May, including the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey and the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle, as well as national events, street parties and community gatherings. The emblem will also be used for all official merchandise commemorating the Coronation of The King and The Queen Consort, and across digital and social media.