WIS - Wedgwood International Seminar

I can't begin to tell you what a super-seminar this one in the United Kingdom turned out to be. From the very first day I got to go to the Olympia Antiques Show in London. Hundreds and hundreds of booths of antiques that were "legitimately real antiques," every thing on display was well over 100 years old. The way an antiques show should really be. Then I went to the ceramics antique show at the Kensington Town Hall, I broke down and bought an antique Wedgwood Invalid Feeder. The first one I have ever seen with two handles!

Saturday Night we went to the London Wedgwood Collectors Society meeting to hear the talk on the "Bentley Sale" the one held by Christie and Ansel for the splitting of the proceeds of the inventory after the death of Thomas Bentley. Even the finger food was superb!

Sunday afternoon I spent with Mickey and Earl and we went to Harrods for a tour. We finished with a picnic lunch in the park with sandwiches and drinks from the "food halls of Harrods!" It was just perfect.

Monday morning the motor coach picked up the group at the Copthorne Tara Hotel for the trip to Moat House in Stoke-On- Trent. Upon arrival we swiftly got checked into our rooms. Registered for the seminar, had cocktails and a casual dinner at the all New Wedgwood Museum. What a thrill it was to see the completed museum after all the years of anticipation. I have to say I really do feel sorry for those who did not make the trip this year. Without a doubt the new museum alone, was well worth the trip!

Tuesday morning after a wonderful buffet breakfast, we settled into our talks and lectures. These included Gaye Blake Roberts, John Mohin on behalf of George Stonier, Kathy Niblet, Lord Queensberry, David Puxley, and our own Alan Erickson. All of the talks were just "packed full" of interesting tidbits and lots of fun. After dinner that night we were shown a DVD about the Wedgwood Factory and life at the factory "through the Years" by Ray Johnson. This turned out to be an absolute "hoot!"

Wednesday Morning , again another, "belly filling" breakfast. Then talks by Gaye Blake Roberts, and Sharon Gater on Charles Darwin and the Darwin/Wedgwood connection. Then we hit the road to Nottingham Castle Museum. We were met at the door by Pamela Wood with a delicious lunch. The rest of the afternoon we were free to investigate the museum and the Fabulous Felix Jacob Collection. As several of the permanent pieces of the collection are currently on loan to the exhibit in Japan they dug into the reserves to bring out pieces that are seldom on display and "spectacular!" That night instead of dinner at Moat House or the Wedgwood Museum we had a dinner at "Victoria On The Square" a local night spot and restaurant.

Thursday we had a talk, after another "huge" breakfast, by Julie Mckeown about Rode Hall and the Astbury Church, the original church dating back to 1027, rebuilt as it now stands in approximately 1247. Rode Hall was a spectacular to see and everyone was delightful. It was a delight to see the black basalt bust of Shakespeare that was delivered to the original occupants of the house by Josiah, himself.

Friday morning, after breakfast, we immediately boarded the bus for the "potteries Museum" and this turned out to be quite a treat, as the entire museum is now devoted exclusively to ceramics and pottery of the region. After lunch we met Alan and Jan Wedgwood and were brought up to date on the lives of the 5th generation of Wedgwoods. On the way back to Moat House we were spared a few minutes to "blow our stash of money" at the "seconds shop." A lot of people walked out with shopping bags full of "goodies!"

Saturday morning, after breakfast, we boarded the bus to the Lady Lever Gallery in Liverpool. Once again, because of the big show in Japan, the museum dug into their archives to bring out items seldom seen. The two large covered pots in "vibrant cobalt blue" with the bird on one top and the birds nest on the other were the outstanding things to see this trip. The Lady Lever is always a delight and this trip with slight display changes was really terrific. Saturday night we had the Gala Annual Banquet and the food was fit for royalty.

Sunday the bus took us back to London and the Copthorne Tara Hotel. There were nine of us who got to go on a "special trip" to the home of Sir Martin and Lady Sandra Wedgwood in Dorking. Sir Martin has several of the items from Josiah's own collection. Once again a few of the items, including the first day vase, are on loan to the show in Japan. This seemed just fine to me, now I have an excuse to go back to visit them again. Any reason to visit Sir Martin and Lady Sandra is a good reason to see that delightful mill and their gardens again.

As it is easy to see I had a wonderful trip and a great seminar, anyone who didn't just doesn't know how to have a good time!

Please give my special thanks to Mickey Hightower for the finest planning and the best ever seminar.