WOMEN S INSTITUTES
Stone WI
B
eing the first Wednesday of the month our WI meeting was held, as usual, in Christ Church annex at 2pm. A table with items of pottery for a competition gave a table of interest & a clue to the subject of our speaker, Mr George Holden who was a Wedgwood designer and also tutors/gave tuition for throwing. Not being raised in the Potteries, I didn t know a great deal about a world known to a lot of folk in the area. Most people knew or have a relative who knew about pottery, designs, bottle ovens and sheer hard work that is/was needed for an industry to thrive. Mr Holden took us on a trip of his memory lane from school onwards and how he was influenced by framed watercolours in railway carriages when he travelled in from Preston to Lancaster to complete a National Diploma in Design. He needed to know every stage involved from clay to pot production, incorporating all necessary to make fine bone China for hotels, restaurants,
even airlines where weight & shape had to be considered. He took ideas for shapes and patterns from wood graining, driftwood & items found on the seashore and the sea itself. The shapes and designs from Mother Nature provided him with a wealth of inspirations. He also brought along some guitars which he had designed & decorated. They were not for playing, but displayed his artistic talent to show 'dancing trees and the bank s of the Seine . He brought several albums and other pots with him for us to see. He has a rare talent from geometric shapes to designs in nature. Apparently some edging designs may be taken from a photograph to produce a sketch and then transferred onto drawing paper to alter the size, depending on what and where it was required. It was a thoroughly interesting afternoon where I, for one, learnt quite a lot about an industry which helped shape our area and put us on the map, globally. Our next meeting in December has a Christmas theme and will involve a bit of a
party. We re always happy to have refreshments. Ideas are as yet evolving so it s a bit of a mystery afternoon. We ve had several visitors now who have decided to join us and we offer a warm welcome to them. Fancy joining us? Just come along with some food, but because of Covid we have been asked not to bring home made items but prepacked fancies and savouries. I'm sure we ll have some fun & enjoy ourselves. Lastly, I m not sure when you will be able to read this, but I, and all our members, wish you a very Merry and Covidfree Christmas and New Year. Report by Pam Farnsworth
Aston-by-Stone WI
C
oming home at last to the village hall was wonderful, after so many months of missed meetings, Zoom and open-air gatherings.
New regulations were observed: wiping handles and surfaces, wearing masks and taking squirts of the ubiquitous anti-bac gel. Triumphs from the County Show were recorded
and shown: first prize and coveted three gold stars for the Co-operative Food basket by Anita Murphy, Joan Jones and Jennie Brockington, with further prizes in jammaking and photography. >>
