News and information direct from the heart of the Alabaster Society: our members.
THE VERY LATEST NEWS:
Brian Alabaster at Chelsea
Alabaster Gathering 2008
Florence Catherine, Laraine`s new Granddaughter
A Film Premiere
Brian Alabaster at Chelsea Flower Show 2007
Brian Alabaster is the son of John Stammers Alabaster, one of the founding members of the Alabaster Society. As
you will read in the latest Chronicle, which should be with you in a couple of weeks` time, Brian is casting some lead
plaques of the Alabaster coat of arms from a design produced by his father and will have some of these available at
the next Gathering in April 2008. Brian is a member of the Royal Society of British Sculptors. Some of his work is
shown on his website http://www.brian-alabaster.com
More details:
http://www.chelsea-flower-show.com/sculptures.html#briana
http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/gardens/chelsea_flower_show/article1842780.ece
LH
Alabaster Gathering - 25th / 26th / 27th April 2008
Laraine Hake writes:
We have booked the Guild Room at the Guildhall, Hadleigh for the Alabaster Gathering 2008.
Full details are on the Gathering page.
New Member
Laraine Hake has just sent in this photo of her second and latest
granddaughter, in the arms of No.1 granddaughter, now 2 years
old.
Florence Catherine was born on 16th February 2007 weighing 7lb
1oz.
Laraine reports, "We are very proud grandparents, as you can
imagine!"
Our member Ray Williamson (Branch IIIB) has directed a short documentary which is being premiered at this event:
21st Century Endangered Arts
6 x 8 minutes Exhibition Documentary Series
******* World Screen Premiere *******
Wednesday, 30th May 2007, 6.00 pm
Chichester Cinema
Across the UK traditional arts and craft are becoming endangered and forgotten. This series of charming
documentaries tell the rare stories of just six of them. They capture the wonderful, warm and enlightening characters
of the craft men and women who are keeping the skills alive today. These unique films remind us how important the
crafts are to society past, present and future.
THE FILMS
· SOUL OF FIRE. 8mins. Directed by Roy Hanney
The story of a rare earth charcoal burn by Alan Waters that takes place over three days in West Dean forest near
Chichester. Happening only once a year on 11 August, Saint Alexander's Day - the patron saint of charcoal burning
-this 8000 year old craft has changed the world.
· WARP AND WEFT. 8 mins Directed by Janette Scott
The West Sussex Guild of Spinner Weavers and Dyers was formed 60 years ago and this story is told through the
local Guild members who are struggling to keep the craft alive today. We hear about the craft and about Ditching
village, once full of spinners and home to Ethal Mary, ‘The Mother of Spinning'.
· SQUARE PEG ROUND HOLE. 8 mins. Directed by Adam Barrett
The renovation of a Hampshire wagon wheel by wheelwright Eddie Jenkins. This film uses rare archive footage of
wagons during rural harvest from 1930's to describe the role of the wheel in rural village life and society. Eddie like
many other craftsman struggles to find anyone to pass on his skills onto.
· COLD METAL. 5 mins. Directed by Ray Williamson (Branch IIIB)
A practically extinct Heidelberg printing machine still operating in the unusual setting of a rural village. The Fontridge
Printing Press was handed down from generation to generation in the Page family. During the course of filming it is
finally closed down in the name of ‘progress’.
· ICONS. 8 mins Directed by Danny Weinstean
The unique and private work of a Dom Anselm's icon writing. One of the eight remaining Benedictine monks at Alton
Abbey, Dom Anslem make religious icons using traditional craft methods and is trying to pass it on to new pupils.
Raising the important question of what is an art? and what is a craft? Icons are produced by a spiritual belief.
· MONEY FOR OLD ROPE. 7 mins Directed By Katy Sheppard
The life and work of Tony Reid, the last ropemaker in Shere Village, Surrey. A truly wonderful character who makes
us understand the importance this seemingly simple craft has had in world history.
Series Producer : Katy Sheppard Series Editor : Dana Trometer
Supported by: Screen South, Awards 4 All, Surrey Museum Consultative Committee, Screen Archive, University of Chichester
Background
'21 Century Endangered Arts' is the first documentary project to be completed by the newly established production
collective 'Museum Visuals'. (The Audio Visual Group for Museums and Archives) Based in the South East, Museum
Visuals works to produce short films and documentaries for new exhibition and screening spaces within museums and
archives. We believe they offer ideal installation spaces for contemporary film. Where possible we work with small
local museums that do not have the resources to fund large visual projects while simultaneously developing new
filmmakers by providing the opportunity flex their creative wings. Established in May 2005 we are a progressive,
non-profit organization staffed by volunteers. Our aim is not to make money, but to develop specialist films that
inspire, educate and entertain.
Apparatvs in Revelationem Iesv Christi
William Alabaster Book is now on CD.
Laraine Hake writes:
I am sure you will remember the event
of 2006 when we, The Alabaster
Society, won at auction a first edition of
William Alabaster's book Apparatus in
Revelationem Jesu Christi published in
1607 --------yes, 1607 !!!
This was possible only through the
generosity of our members: thank you
to all who contributed.
Now that we have the book, we want to
be able to share it. Accordingly, Tony
Springall has produced a CD which
contains a facsimile of the book: in
other words, every page has been
photographed and can be seen clearly
using Acrobat Reader.
I have today posted a copy of this CD
to every one of you who so kindly
contributed towards the cost of the
book over those exciting couple of days
last January!
Please let me know when they arrive and, most importantly, let me know if it does not arrive.
It is likely that the CD will be of interest to people outside of the Alabaster family, so we are going to make it
available for sale. However, in the meantime, if there is anybody who would like to buy his or her own copy, members
of Alabaster Society can buy it for £5 + p&p. Having been to the post office today, I can stipulate that the cost
including postage will be £6 in UK and £7 out of UK (by air mail). We will put this offer in the next Chronicle too, of
course, for those unable to read this.
Alabaster Society Members will have priority in receiving copies of the CD. Non-members should enquire of the Hon.
Sec. through the Contact us page, or, of course, they could join!
Subscriptions. Members are reminded that subscriptions were due on September 1st. Details can be found on the
Contact us page, or enclosed with the Chronicle. Why not pay by standing order and save the time and postage?
July 2005. Tricia Dyer reports:
On Sunday 24th July 2005 there was a Mini-Gathering of second cousins at the home of Laraine's
Mother and Father in Chingford. My brother Colin and myself, grandchildren of Sidney Herbert
Alabaster, Laraine, and Judy Cash, grandchildren of Adeline Alabaster (Sidney's Sister), and Bea
Alabaster, granddaughter of George Alabaster (Sidney's brother). It was a great afternoon and
Laraine was in her element. I had not met Judy and Bea before. |
