THE BRITISH SOCIETY OF SCIENTIFIC GLASSBLOWERS

Introduction: the following text formed part of my Editorial for the current issue of the BSSG Journal. If you don’t know “BSSG” stands for British Society of Scientific Glassblowers, and I have been its Editor for over thirty years. My Editorials are loosely based around glass but a lot of the time they have a wider audience in mind. This is one example so thought be good to share here. Observant readers will note when I say “current” I refer to the July 22 issue which has yet to be distributed so of course this can not be the full Editorial. To read more you have to join up to the BSSG!

Over the last few weeks my left leg has been getting stiff and I have what seems like a huge growth on my thigh. Please don’t worry too much as its not cancerous nor am I suffering from body part exaggeration syndrome! No what’s causing my discomfort is trying to manipulate my new mobile phone within the confines of my trouser pocket. Why is it so difficult to buy something which is meant to be designed to make my life easier? I now own a mobile phone which is twice as heavy as my cordless landline and about 50% larger with no obvious extra benefits. I am convinced that the reasons why so many organisations such as the BSSG have small number of volunteers is due to everyone busy trying to work out how to operate their numerous labour-saving devices. And we get taken in by it all!

A neighbour passed me a copy of “The Light” which I presumed to be a religious publication but having read it there appears to be a high level of politics included and a lot of angst so maybe my first impression had an element of truth. The newspaper is promoted as a vehicle for telling its readers the uncensored truth. Just like the BSSG Journal then? Trouble is there are always two truths at any one time, and I am not sure which is true or is it a case there there is no truth just a common opinion. Some people believe that technology will “save” us but save us from what. If you wish to know more then go to The Light Paper I did a quick search and ended up learning about various light houses, I think by mistake. I did see the light though!

Some will agree with me that I like the sound of my own voice. So, it was only a matter of time that I recorded my voice for posterity. By the time you read this my audio meanderings should be available on my local history website Wick Heritage I was asked to speak about an organisation I chair called the Society of Caithness Artists which is one of the oldest art societies in Scotland. In talking about the Society, I cross referenced my introduction was through the glass engraver Denis Mann who has created the Mastermind (BBC television quiz programme) trophies for many many years. Dennis was a past Cahir of the Caithness Artists and asked me to help him clean his sculptures in the early eighties. At the time Denis was experimenting with slumped glass. Before I knew I was speaking about scientific glassblowing and answered one question with a twenty-seven-minute answer which is now recommended by doctors for curing sleeplessness! glass is my passion.’