MEMBERS were delighted to welcome back entertaining lecturer Oliver Everett this month to present King George III: The Most Cultured Monarch, Art Collector, Friend of America and Family Man.

George III is unjustly remembered solely for being mad and for losing the American colonies but Oliver helped correct this impression with his well illustrated talk.

His lecture on the role of George III and his passion for the arts was both informative and humorous. Audience participation was a necessity, which led to a more lively interactive discussion than normal.

George III and his wife Charlotte were married for 57 years and had 15 children, two of whom died in early childhood, but he will always be remembered for his commitment to the arts, becoming head of the Royal Academy.

The insanity that plagued the king for more than 30 years is now believed to be the result of the inherited disease porphyria.

Oliver asserted that it should not overshadow the rest of his life.

Among George III’s many achievements, he acquired the future Buckingham Palace and re-habited Windsor Castle, both of which underwent extensive building works. The castle actually ‘acquired’ an additional seven libraries, eventually to be filled with 65,000 books.

He also commissioned the Gold State Coach for his wedding, still used by the monarchy today.

Neroche DFAS is the oldest branch of NADFAS in the South-West and holds monthly talks at Dillington House by leading experts in their field throughout the year. For details of future events go to nerochedfas.org.uk