Newsletter No. 60 - April 2008

For pdf version, click here

For news received after this newsletter went to press, click here

Secretary's Notes

The last council meeting was held at the British Museum on the 21st February. The council is pleased to report that they have received an application to the J.G. Hurst fund which will be considered by the approval committee.

The Membership Secretary reported that the group is currently losing more members than it is gaining. This will obviously have an impact on the finances of the MPRG. Ways to improve membership are currently being considered. One option for increasing the revenue of the group is to increase the fee for institutional membership. This will be discussed at the AGM in July.

Several council positions become vacant in the summer: Victoria Bryant stands down as President, Nigel Jeffries as Membership Secretary, Duncan Brown as Meetings Secretary and Beverley Nenk as Regional Groups' Officer. They are all thanked for their contribution to the group. New council members are currently being sought to fill these positions. Any nominations should be addressed to the Secretary.

Sue Anderson, who has done a fantastic job with the MPRG website, wishes to hand over this responsibility to someone else. The group would like to thank her for all the work she has put into creating and maintaining the site. If anyone is interested in taking over this role, then please contact the Secretary.

No members objected to the planned change to the constitution regarding re-election for certain council positions. The change will be brought up at the AGM for approval by the group.

Pottery training days are planned for 2008/2009. The general training days which were run in several places last year will be held again and several new venues have been added.

The Siena conference is fast approaching and further details are enclosed with this newsletter. This event has been organised by the Meetings Secretary with invaluable help from Marta Caroscio. It is hoped that the next volume of Medieval Ceramics will be ready for release at the conference.

The next council meeting will be held in June. Any items for the agenda should be sent to the Secretary.

Anne Boyle, Secretary

[Top of page]

On a diet!

Apologies for this seasons newsletter being a little on the skinny side but it appears we are all be very busy with heads down at the pot sorting table. This edition is supplemented by several separate attachments by way of recompense; the details for the AGM and the eagerly awaited programme for the Sienna Conference in July. So for those who got your bookings in early well done and for the rest of you, you can now see what's on offer and get that cheque in the post to Duncan.

For those of you with an interest in having any event, exhibition, course or little tit-bit included in the next newsletter the deadline for the next newsletter is Friday 25th of July. This maybe a little late for those advertising summer courses or projects, in which case still let us know and we will happily advertise it on the group website.

Andrew Sage

[Top of page]

Life in Fragments

Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May 2008

The Finds Research Group are holding a two-day conference looking at assemblages, their stories and the stories they tell.

This looks like it will be a fantastic weekend looking at both excavated and collected assemblages in the opulent surroundings of Hampton Court Palace.

Saturday 17th May

Arrive from 10.00 for coffee at the Clore (education) centre.

10.45 Introduction; Marc Meltonville; Project co-ordinator Historic Kitchens, Hampton Court.
11.00 Talks followed by discussion.
12.30 Lunch
14.00 Talk.
14.45 Questions and gather outside the Clore centre.
15.00 The re-colourisation of the Henrician Tapestries of Hampton Court, led by a Royal Palace Textile conservator. A live demonstration in the great hall on the work being done to bring the tapestries back to their former glory.
15.45 Free time to explore the Palace and gardens.

Sunday 18th May

Coffee served from 10.00 at the Clore centre.

10.45 Welcome; Marc Meltonville.
11.00 Talks followed by discussion.
12.30 Lunch
14.00 Tour of the Hampton Court Palace Archaeological stores with a member of the Curators Department.
15.00 Tea and final comments.

Members will be free to explore the Palace for the remainder of the afternoon should they wish. Some of the Historic Kitchens team will be on hand in the Tudor kitchens should anyone wish to ask them questions.

To book a place please send a cheque for £5 (made out to the Finds Research Group AD700-1700) for each person attending to Jane Cowgill, 25 Main Street, South Rauceby, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 8QG (you will be contacted only in the event of cancellation).

[Top of page]

MPRG Publications

It seems likely that this year will see a stream of new publications from the group. It is anticipated that volume 29 of Medieval Ceramics (the Chester Conference) will be published in the summer along with the eagerly awaited Occasional Paper on Harlow Redwares, these will be followed later in the year by further Occasional Papers on Late Medieval Reduced Wares and Scottish Redwares. So start saving your pennies now or start dropping hints to your loved ones before your birthday.

[Top of page]