Penwortham WI - February 2009
Well, it isn't often you get the best of both worlds, but our speaker, Mrs Cath Rae managed to provide this, with her presentation "Artistry in Glass" which would have been worthy of "Who do you think you are" and a late night Arts programme on BBC2.
The story began with her Spanish Grandparents emigrating to Britain in the early 20th century, after a spell in France, finally settling in Scotland.
Grandfather was a very skilled glassmaker who was recruited by the then Edinburgh and Leith Glassworks, now known as Edinburgh Glass.
Some years later, after the First World War, Grandfather Ysart went into partnership and founded the well known art glass firm Monart which flourished until the early 1940s.
During both world wars glass makers were directed to aid the war effort, and art glass didn't emerge until conflict ceased.
Many of the artisans at the well known Caithness Glass and Stuart Crystal firms which came to prominence in the after war years were mentored by Mrs Rae's father, who had inherited all the family's skills, so their traditions were passed on.
On the death of her father, Salvador Ysart, the family decided to sell some of their glass, and when the auctioneer from Christies came, he was shocked to see that the family were actually using such wonderful art glass.
Mrs Rae felt that such objects should be used, so that their beauty can be fully appreciated, but thankfully gave us some good advice as to care.
We were privileged to see many beautiful examples of the glassmakers art, in my case at a respectful distance.
Our Walking Group will be exploring the Sollom area this month to work up an appetite for their pub lunch on Monday March 2, whilst the Craft Group will be practising their water colouring skills on the 10th. This Months theatre outing will be to see "Oliver" in Southport, and on the 17th the Lancashire AGM will be at the Floral Hall in Southport, the main speaker being Terry Waite.
Amongst other activities, Winnies Coffee Morning and Bring and Buy Sale raised 152 wth Jacqui's greeting cards, and members home made cakes proving particularly popular.
We are pleased to report, that with many thanks to Penwortham Town Council for their help and assistance, we can now be contacted on the internet via their web page www.penworthamtowncouncil.gov.uk, click on the link for Penwortham WI and our page will come up for you.
If you are interested in coming along, please do contact Elaine on 01772 744672.
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Weather for Preston
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
