Summer Meeting of Friends

In keeping with the season, and continuing with the theme of the latest temporary exhibition, 'A Passion for Flowers', we were treated to a pot-pourri of assorted floral and foliate offerings - the first emanating from Gaye, with an amusing and informative paper on the subject of flower containers in the 18th century.

The next 'sunny interlude' on an otherwise gloomy day was provided by Barbara Tomkins who characteristically impressed us by sharing the results of her researches undertaken on leafage wares. 

There then followed a short break in proceedings while the Friends partook of a strawberry cream tea.  On returning to the meeting, Dale Bowen introduced a change of mood with a much applauded demonstration of the Pâte-sur-Pâte technique, newly revived by this gifted and most enthusiastic Wedgwood Craftsman.

Proceedings were brought to a close by Sharon, reflecting on how Josiah, envisaging his business flourishing under the care and endeavours of his three sons, in fact raised three country gentleman who detested their familial role in the 'nasty potworks'. The eldest, John, however, redeemed himself by founding the Royal Horticultural Society in 1804