Nellie Ionides and Orleans House

Orleans House was a home and meeting place for royalty, politicians and gentry in the two centuries it stood on the Twickenham riverside. It could be argued that the borough was deprived of one of its most historic buildings when it was demolished in 1926. Without the foresight of local resident The Honourable Nellie Ionides, it is likely that the glorious Octagon Room would have suffered the same fate. Reputed to be the richest woman in England in the 1950s, join us in this talk to discover Nellie’s life, love of art and dogs, and her legacy within the Twickenham community.

Minna Andersen is a London Blue Badge Tourist Guide. Over the past 30 years, she has worked with embassies, government bodies, industry VIPs and heads of state, assisting their visits to London and offering them tailor made experiences. They have ranged from art gallery tours and visits to famous London sights to specialist walking tours. She frequently appears in Finnish TV and news to promote all aspects of London. She is a volunteer with Orleans House Gallery and the Poppy Factory, using her skills as a speaker and as a guide to bring their history to life once more.