EVERYONE’S A WINNER

Here’s a short report on a recent trip to London for a specific reason. Although as the story tells I won, it’s my belief that we are all winners even though we don’t appreciate what race we have entered. Of course, as the old joke says, it is the human race!!!! Sometimes I get asked what is my greatest achievement and I always answer by saying, “I am a survivor”!

I was surprised and privileged to receive an email last year saying that I had been shortlisted for the Volunteer of the Year Award organised by the Heritage Crafts. I was invited to the winners reception which took place at the House of Lords in London on Monday 30th January this year. I was shocked to win, especially when I saw the other two nominees on the shortlist. Apparently editing the BSSG Journal for thirty eight years has been recognised.

The BSSG is a member of Heritage Crafts whose main purpose is to promote endangered crafts, one of which is scientific glassblowing. I am always keen to promote this extremely specific type of lamp work. I feel this is a struggle when everyone wants to know about making bongs and beads. Yes for sure we all use naked flames but no other lampworking style involves the risk of disappearing. The event at the House of Lords was held as a celebration and I learnt a lot about other endangered crafts. Apparently no one is making cricket balls in the UK now. Glass eye making is critically endangered which should resonate amongst long time BSSG members as there have been several articles on the subject in this Journal.

The reception was hosted by The Lord Cormack and Baroness Garden of Frognal who both have a long history of promoting the arts and crafts movement. I hope politics knows its place and stays well clear of the Lords. Co-Chair of Heritage Crafts is a familiar face, Jay Blades MBE. He is the presenter of the successful BBC television series, “The Repair Shop”. I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to have my photograph taken with him.

The whole event was sponsored by the Royal Mint and I listened intently to their Chief Executive, Anne Jessop who informed the audience of the challenges facing the craft of coin making. I had not really appreciated the consequences of using less change in our pockets. The downside of always using cards to pay and not cash is that less coins are required thus the staff at the Royal Mint must diversify to survive. That is how jewellery will become more and more prominent in the services that the Royal Mail will offer.

There were many awards and winners; The President’s Award, Maker of the Year, Trainer of the Year, Trainee of the Year, Woodworker of the Year plus several training bursaries were announced. It was similar to the Oscar ceremonies but with one positive difference. No winners gave long rambling speeches thanking everyone including their neighbours granny’s cat and dog!

As each nominee’s name was called out a photograph of said nominee appeared on a large screen. I was convinced that I had already won just by being nominated. I had eaten as much free cake as possible and was enjoying the scene across the Thames of the London Eye. “The winner is Ian Pearson” announced Heritage Crafts Executive Director Daniel Carpenter. It was then that I realised the new suit and tie had paid dividends and I bounced towards the stage before anyone could change their mind. After the presentation opportunities were made possible for networking and I was pleased to be able to make contact with the sponsor of my award. Two representatives from Marsh Charitable Trust were present which was convenient as I asked one to take a photograph of the other with myself.

I was reluctant to leave the building but eventually had to move on due to the rooms being booked for another function. On the route to the exit, I found the souvenir shop which was selling guides to the House of Lords at only fifty pence. Of course, I bought one. A bargain and completed a highly successful afternoon.