GlassCuts The informal email bulletin of the British Glass Foundation Issue No: 37 Dated: 8.10.13 For updates also visit our blog at britishglassfoundation.tumblr Archives of GlassCuts and the BGF Newsletter are held at britishglassfoundation.org.uk Donate via individual contributions direct to BGF, by standing order, by using the QR code at footer or clicking uk.virginmoneygiving/charity-web/charity/finalCharityHomepage.action?charityId=1005650 Hallo there, glass-lovers, and welcome to our latest hot-off-the-press update. There’s no doubt about it, the Wonderful World of Glass©GF can be a fickle beast at times, and this latest edition of your fave-rave glass-fanzine takes us from the very depths of sadness at the loss of one of its greatest exponents, through to a selection of highs that typify the resilience of the Stourbridge Glass industry as it adapts and marches headlong into the 21st Century. Enjoy, friends, enjoy … I N THIS ISSUE Glassville in mourning GC on the ball The early bird (trad)* Summer gatherings Friends indeed Money matters Dates for your diary Glassville in mourning We are saddened to report the departure of glass designer John Luxton, who died on 29th September following a short illness. He was 93. John Luxton was a serious player who forged an illustrious career with Stuart Crystal and was instrumental in changing the face of glass design in the post-war years. A fulsome obituary to the great man, tastefully compiled by Chief Reporter Bev Holder and based on information supplied by our own Charles Hajdamach, can be found at stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/10711637.Tributes_to_renowned_Stourbridge_glass_designer/ where there are also details of a Facebook tribute page. RIP. GC on the ball Back in GC35 we mentioned that Stuart Caldicott had ensconced himself in Studio F, part of the former shop at Red House Glass Cone, from where he will be offering his handmade clocks, barometers and wooden crafts as well as undertaking specialist repairs. Well, we’ve got a bit of an update on that, courtesy of BGF Secretary Lynn Boleyn, who went moseying down there recently, and tells us: ‘Hi Graham. Just thought you might like to know that I popped in to say hello to Stuart Goodings, Stuart Caldicott and Carl Palmer (the copper-wheel engraving wizard - Ed) and had quite a chat with all of them. Things are on the move here and Stuart C was in the process of doing a press release.’ Just remember you read it here first, and watch this space. The early bird (trad)* Here’s an early notification that the brand new Dudley Archives will be opening soon. It’s all exciting stuff, and we were delighted when we received this recently from our colleague up in Archives-land, Dianne Matthews: ‘Hallo Graham, and everyone at our favourite email glass fanzine’ (alright, so I put that bit in myself - Ed). ‘We are holding an event on 16th November 2013 in our new Archives Centre on Tipton Road. We won’t actually be open to the public then, but it will be an opportunity for people to come in and find out how we are progressing and enjoy a day of activities. We have chosen this date as it ties in with this year’s Archives Awareness campaign. Saturday 16th November 2013 marks the start of a week to inspire people to explore archives and ensure that more people than ever are introduced to some of the hidden treasures within archives. We have decided that our theme this year will be ‘glass’ and plan on having displays demonstrations and activities throughout the day. Ok, so far. But Dianne then goes on to ask: ‘We would like to invite you to come along and exhibit some glass. I wondered if you might also do a talk for us’. Me? Surrounded by beautiful glass, and with an audience? Hmm, let me think… (there follows a pause here of slightly less than one nanosecond) It’s a date! I’ll be there. Thanks. * The full saying is, of course: The early bird catches the worm. But it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese. You know it makes sense. Summer gatherings So, there I was, passing by the Ruskin Glass Centre, when I thought I’d just pop in and say hello to a few pals. As you do. Who should I bump into but Simon Bruntnell, of Northlight Photography. Simon, az eny eejut knose, is the man behind many of the rather superb images that grace BGF publications - for which, many thanks - and his reputation as something of a behind-the-lens guru precedes him. However, perhaps lesser known, he is also quite the glass enthusiast, with an innovative turn of mind, and he took great delight in taking me to one side to tell me of his latest proposals for The Summer Glass Workshops...in Stourbridge. He reeled off an impressive roll call of familiar names who have already expressed an interest, and is looking to get things off the ground for an inaugural series of sessions in the middle of next year. Early days yet, but things are gathering pace. Don’t just take my word for it; pop by his place sometime and grab yourself a leaflet. Alternatively, try visiting heartofenglandglass.co.uk and click on the link to the right hand side of the opening page. Turn then to bruntnell-astley and follow the links to book a place. Friends indeed Great to hear from Barabara Beadman, who has sent us the Friends of Broadfield House update for Autumn 2013, together with a few appeals for a bit of help. Barbara has gone to the trouble of sending it all in to GlassCuts Towers - for which, many thanks - so the least we can do is pass it direct to your good selves as it came in … Saturday 19th October: Broadfield House Glass Museum open until 7.00p.m. for the Glass Association (GC35 Supplemental – Ed). Friends who can help out will be most welcome. Wednesday 23rd October: Visit by coach to Beatson Clark in Rotherham for a guided tour of the plant; lunch in Sheffield; Visit to The Turner Collection in Sheffield University. Thursday 24th October: Friends Council Meeting Sunday 9th November: Glass Fair at the National Motorcycle Museum (GCs passim) Thursday 21st November: Rebel in Glass-The Art of Louis Comfort Tiffany. Charles Hajdamach will be unveiling some new information on the fascinating and colourful production of Tiffany Glass. Saturday/Sunday 30th November/1st December: Christmas Festival at the Museum (GCs passim). Any help most welcome. Thursday 5th December: Xmas get together; Pressed Glass, guest speaker Peter Beebee. Dates for next year Saturday 25th January 2014: An Afternoon at the Flicks with ice-cream! First week in June 2014: Trip to Germany. Itinerary, costs etc will be sent out in January. Details, and booking forms where appropriate: friendsofbroadfieldhouse.co.uk Money matters Here’s a tale guaranteed to tug at the heart strings. When I was but a callow youth, my family was very, very poor. So poor, in fact, that in the depths of winter, just to keep warm, we got grandpa to suck an extra strong mint and we’d all sit round his tongue. Yes, times were hard. But, even as grannie tried licking the remnants of nourishment from a boiled sea-sock, and my parents struggled to eke a living from their declining gerbil-manicuring enterprise, we still managed to throw a couple of dull farthings into the BGF coffers every now and then. Honest, we did. Spare some loose change, Guv’nor? This has been a Desperate Productions©appeal on behalf of BGF to extract your cash. Usual address, please. Please note: In recognizing donors and acknowledging their support, GlassCuts generally will not reveal either the details of the donor or the amount donated unless the donor indicates otherwise or the circumstances are in the public domain or public interest. This does not preclude the possibility of details, including the amount donated and/or the donor’s particulars, appearing elsewhere in BGF material. Dates for your diary Keep these coming in; bet we can print ’em quicker that you can send ’em. Events & Exhibitions at Broadfield House Glass Museum dudley.gov.uk/see-and-do/museums/glass-museum/ 30th November - 1st December 2013 Christmas Future Music Festivalay - August 2014 10th Anniversary Bead Fair (featured GC35) Broadfield House Glass Museum jazzylily Until 10th August 2014 The Roger Pilkington Glass Collection (featured GC36) Events and Exhibitions at Red House Glass Cone (featured GC26 & 28) dudley.gov.uk/see-and-do/museums/red-house-glass-cone/ 7th September - 20th October 2013 OMG - Oh My Glass 26th October - 1st December 2013 - Made at the Cone 30th November - 1st December 2013 - Christmas Festival & Craft Fayre 7th December 2013 - 5th January 2014 - All I Want for Christmas Elsewhere around the highways and byways of glassville Saturday 19th October 2013 Ruskin Glass Centre, Amblecote DY8 4HF Reflections Day and AGM of The Glass Association (featured GC36) ruskinglasscentre.co.uk Saturday 9th November 2013 Ruskin Glass Centre, Amblecote DY8 4HF Valuation Day (featured GC36) ruskinglasscentre.co.uk Sunday 10th November 2013 National Glass Fair National Motorcycle Museum B92 0EJ (featured GC31) glassfairs.co.uk Bulletin Board Since GlassCuts was last on air, we have also been notified of … Station Glass Newsletter, Autumn 2013 edn. Beautifully produced, and highly informative, bulletin of what’s going down at The Station. Also details of the Open Day on Saturday 19th October 2013. Lovely stuff. richardgolding@stationglass From AJ Poole Associates comes the ever-comprehensive October Newsletter. Subscribe via [email protected] Also: Project coordinating three exhibitions of glass and sketches to be held in the Riihimaki Glass Museum (Finland), La Granja Glass Museum (Spain) and the Murano Glass Museum (Italy). comune.venezia.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/67802 Plus: Public notice for the selection of applicants for the appointment of a Scientific Director for the project ‘EGE - European Glass Experience’. Email [email protected] Craft Arts International Magazine (‘one of the oldest and most widely read magazines in its field’ according to their press blurb) is offering special subscription rates to UK subscribers at £33.00 for one year’s supply, with payment made into a UK bank account. Details, email [email protected] Balman Gallery Press Release The Gallery’s Newcastle partnerships with the Discovery Museum and the Laing Gallery are developing. ‘We now have a range of 3D work on display in the Laing. We also have an exhibition of prints and originals from local, national and international artists coming up at the Discovery from 12th October. There will be an official opening at the Discovery on Saturday 9th November, 1-3pm.’ balmangallery More soon. In the meantime, Keep it Glass. Graham Fisher Press & Publicity, pp British Glass Foundation britishglassfoundation.org.uk
Posted on: Wed, 09 Oct 2013 12:11:31 +0000