Lay Members' Day 2008

Full Programme
 

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IRENE WELLINGTON  BOOKS FOR SALE  - AND AUCTION !

SALE :   This is a rare opportunity to purchase a book once owned by Irene Wellington.   The books for sale [modestly priced as from £2]  belonged to her source collection from which she drew her references and inspiration.   They are mostly poetry books and anthologies.  Each book is inscribed [by Ann Hechle] as having belonged to her.

AUCTION : In two books were found writing of Irene's.  In one some tracings of drawn letters, and in another paper text-markers bearing her handwriting.  These two items will be bid for by silent auction - offers put in a box, and the highest bidder wins.  They both already have bids offered : of £20 for the drawn letters, and £10 for the text markers.  The books will be included in with Irene's work as a job lot.

All are welcome to participate; the  deadline for bidding will be 1pm  and Ann Hechle will present the two books to the successful bidders. 

All money raised will go to the Irene Wellington Educational Trust.

Lay Members' Day 2007
 

The reason LMD is so satisfying a day lies in the work submitted and shown - and April 28th 2007 was no exception. It's the work which brings us together as friends and fellow-practitioners and which inspires us to new efforts with new ideas to follow through.

It began, of course, with the exhibits for the Lay Members' Exhibition, a smaller number than the previous year, disappointing but at least it made choosing a favourite a little bit easier - though still not easy enough. My personal favourites always seem to lie among the books, but it was Hazel Beney's joyful treatment of the Little Boys which carried the day and was voted Members' Choice. The hanging committee and Sylvie Gokulsing had already been faced with the decision on who was the Most Promising Beginner in calligraphy, and concluded that Diana Cotter deserved this prize with her imaginative work on The Island. Congratulations to both calligraphers!

It continued with the demonstrations which our 4 volunteer demonstrators brought to show us. The variety of talent and creativity in application which they shared with us was superb and will certainly have given many people the confidence to broaden their horizons. I only regret I didn't get enough time myself to learn from them all. In 2007, we also had the delight of being joined by two UK regional groups - Peterborough Scribes and Northampton Scribes, both of whom brought huge amounts of inspiring work made by their members.

Then there was the ATS exhibition which this year covered nine graduating members - a very large group, who produced some stunning work. Did it inspire you to take the course? It's a course which can surprise you about your own potential, and the beautiful mobiles, books and hangings would not have been in any student's mind before they started.

And that wonderful Writing to History display! Such imagination on show! And such evidence of fun and pleasure! I did like the envelope addressed to King Canute, spattered with seawater ... among so many. Thank you to all who contributed and to the teachers who made sure their classes were involved in making this simple but delightful and effective display.

Finally this year we had the privilege of seeing some of Margaret Daubney's lovely personal work, held now by John Ward. It will remain fresh in our minds, I'm sure, for many years.

Sylvie Gokulsing gave an excellent and confident summary of the themes she had seen in the Lay Members' Exhibition, from which we all learn. Ann Hechle gave our inaugural Daubney Lecture on the way the forces of nature and mathematics reflect in our most succesful work, a feast for the eyes as well as the intellect, and which very many people thought will bring them new directions in their own work.

And next year? We're working on it! Make sure April 26th 2008 is in your diary and there will be more detail in the winter newsletter. Next year, do try to submit an entry to the exhibition: it's only with your work - our work - that the day remains so successful. See you then!

Maggie Berry