BSSG 2007 AGM

Was Held on Saturday 8th September 2007 at Oxford University at 11.30am

Report by Ian Person

OUT FROM THE FIRE INTO THE KITCHEN AND RETURN.

Ian Pearson

No pots or pans were obviously evident but the Abbots Kitchen at Oxford University experienced on Saturday 8th September a dish of delights. The ingredients being members of the BSSG who were stirred into action by blending together to serve the Society well in attending the AGM.

Almost the same number of attendees witnessed this annual show of generous business helpings as at Durham in 2006 but without a main course attraction of a symposium. Thankfully there were neither half baked ideas expressed nor procedural glitches being difficult to swallow. Members proved to be the “salt of the Earth” by efficiently dealing with business no matter what was being served. A highlight to whet the taste buds was plans to open up renewals of membership “on-line” and this required a rule change relating to bank signatures. It is hoped that this will assist members renew promptly. Cooking the books was most definitely not on the agenda and the Treasurer Daniel Jackson gave a very good report, considering this was his first time “going solo” at an AGM as Honorary Treasurer. More importantly maybe was that he had just experienced the birth of his first child. Congratulations Dan, (and of course Emma, his wife and daughter Abel). The congratulations continued for Dan as he received the Hampshire Glass Trophy from Brian Moore of Hampshire Glassware.

BSSG Hon Secretary, Willie McCormack kept the meeting simmering with his balanced chopping of relevant information into bite sizes pieces, satisfying to easily digest. Thankfully, by prior grilling the Chairman. Ian Pearson the night before, Willie ensured that no tempers boiled over and any roasting was minimal! A full account of the AGM will be available soon to members. There was no change in Office bearers, indeed the current incumbents relished the thought of continuing to satisfying their appetite for Society business. In appreciation of her work in hosting the AGM, Oxford University’s glassblower Terri Adams form the Glassblowing Department at Oxford University was presented with a bouquet of flowers.


The final presentation of the AGM was to John Turnock who accepted the Literary Prize on behalf of Alan Gall.

It appeared that members were in no hurry to leave the “Kitchen” once they realised that washing up was not included in “Any Other Business”! However promised servings of salmon did finally persuade all to rush across the courtyard to sit in polite reverence waiting for hunger pains to be attended to. And attended to they were in all its glory. A wonderful two course lunch was soon consumed in a very airy contemporary dining hall. By this time the companions who had left before the AGM started to view some wonders of Oxford town had returned and keen to join the lunch party.

Almost before the last slice of raspberry cheesecake was swallowed it was announced that the group would depart for a tour of the glassblowing department close by. So it was goodbye to the companions and hello to some additional members who had decided the lure of an alcoholic drink was too much to avoid, but in all honesty they thoroughly enjoyed their pub lunch. Local BSSG Member Jim Frost had local knowledge of such premises and it is obviously this that keeps him looking so well at ninety years young!

Once inside the workshop Terri acted as a very informative guide and encouraged members to have ago themselves. This was taken literarily by Geoff Jackson who attempted to take a lathe apart! Geoff belongs to the seemingly increasing group of members, the retired section. In fact if one added up all the years of glassblowing experience enjoyed by all present at the meeting and divided it by the number still in employment as a glassblower you would have enough sand to build a castle over twelve metres high. In other words there was a huge amount of experience. Several demonstrations did take place, both on the lathe and on several benches. All present agreed that this was a very well equipped workshop and the visit was thoroughly appreciated.

Several people had taken advantage of booking into a local hotel for overnights accommodation both before the AGM and afterwards meeting and socialising in glorious sunny and warm weather.

What better way to complete the day’s activities then to enjoy a relaxing meal in the restaurant of said hotel?

Unfortunately one companion was literarily swept off her feet at the prospect of exciting her taste buds that she experiences a fall and needed expert medical attention. Quite how the paramedic on the bicycle would transfer her to hospital was an event eagerly awaited to watch by seemingly half of Oxford. Where he placed his blue flashing light and siren is anybody’s guess! Congratulations to the medical services that they did appreciate the seriousness of the injury and eventually later that week patient and family returned to normal.

Normal of course is always relevant when talking about BSSG Members and no better example of normality can be given other than to look at BSSG Hon Secretary Willie McCormack. He, deciding an early night was the order of the day, retired to his hotel room at 10.30pm only to be rudely awakened by his room mate who decided that Willie should be down in the bar participating in polite intelligent conversation. The initial choice of communicating to Willie was using the hotel telephone system but when this failed to produce desired results, Willie was subjected to a very abrupt visit from his room mate who proceeded to storm into the room and “whisk” Willie from his slumber rushing him downstairs. That is what happens when you volunteer to share with the BSSG Chairman!!

Concluding the days events was one final presentation and this went to Stella Howell, (wife of Alan), who received the BSSG Chairman’s Rose bowl. This is awarded to a companion who, in the view of the Chairman, has supported a member’s contribution to the Society.

The BSSG AGM in 2008 will be held at the Grosvenor Hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon
O n Friday 15th August during the Annual Symposium.
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