Post-Lib - Making 2022 a year of adventure and discoveries
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Issue 96 • February 2022
Making 2022 a year of
adventure and discoveries
Post-Lib
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 1 14/02/2022 17:46
RPG Committee 2022
Chair: Ian Orton
ianorton5@gmail.com
Contents
Secretary: Vincent McDonald
vjmcd@hotmail.co.uk
Treasurer: Judith Allery
treasurer.rpg@cilip.org.uk
Vice Chair: Sian King
sianking70@gmail.com
Post-Lib Editor:
Christiana Ikeogu
08
editor.rpg@cilip.org.uk
christieikeogu@gmail.com;
Web Editor: Alan Cooper
info.rpg@cilip.org.uk
Marketing and
Communications: vacant
Visits Organiser:
Charmaine Bourton
charmainebourton11@hotmail.co.uk
Chair’s Note 04
Other Committee Ian Orton
Members Editor’s Introduction 06
David Byrne
Valerie Bearne
Christiana Ikeogu
For general enquiries about the
Retired Professionals Group
News and Views 07
please contact CILIP RPG 100 Club
info.rpg@cilip.org.uk
Trending 08
Visit to the hockey museum and archive
Now more than ever we By Charmaine Bourton
want to make sure we stay in
touch. If you haven’t already,
you can sign up to receive Making Connections 10
email alerts from RPG The Catastrophic incidents at the University
at https://lnkd.in/d4DQCqe?
of Cape Town and the Parliamentary
Or, if you would like help, Precinct. By Peter G Unaderwood
please contact David Byrne
on 07850 791002. People 16
For changes in membership
Amongst women By Vincent McDonald
circumstances contact
membership@cilip.org.uk Reports, Events Announcements 24
2
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 2 14/02/2022 17:46
CILIP_
1 in 8
goes
free†
Book a holiday and 10%* of the cost
will go back to CILIP RPG
Travel. We’ve all missed it the joy of discovery and exploring somewhere new. But 2022 is the
year to catch up. The world is opening up again, and it’s waiting for you. We’ll look after you
every step of the way – so all you have to worry about is your packing.
With limited 2022 availability, make sure you book early to secure your preferred date
and itinerary.
Call 01283 248 304 (quoting CILIP RPG)
Visit rivieratravel.co.uk
For group enquiries email groups@rivieratravel.co.uk or call 01283 742 322
Email affinity@rivieratravel.co.uk (within 24 hours of booking online to
request 10% donation)
Don’t forget to mention CILIP RPG at the time of booking
Bookings for individuals as well as groups are accepted. *Some elements are not commissionable – for full details on the
affinity offer, please visit rivieratravel.co.uk/affinity. †Applies only to river cruises of 7 nights or more, departing in 2023
and booked before 30 April 2022. Free place offer can be exchanged for cash back after travel of 12.5% if 10 or more
travelling. Riviera Travel retain the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Prices are per person based on two sharing
a room/cabin. Prices subject to change and availability. Visit the website for our full terms and conditions.
3
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 3 14/02/2022 17:46
CILIP_FP 210x297mm_Feb22 PEAK.indd 1 18/01/2022 17:27
Chair’s Welcome Note
Ian Orton
Contact me
chair.rpg@cilip.org.uk • ianorton5@gmail.com
T
he last three months members and guests. We held under control Charmaine, our
have seen a slow return a raffle for the first time and the Visits Organiser, is co-ordinating
to normality (despite the surplus income from the lunch visits which can be viewed on
fact COVID has certainly not was enough to pay for the the Post-Lib link via the CILIP
gone away) with the Annual artwork for a copy of Post-Lib. website. We started virtual
Lunch finally taking place The 2022 lunch is on Tuesday visits last summer and these
and an increased number of 26th April again at the Civil are beginning to lift off. When I
electronic events. With CILIP Service Club and details are wandered electronically round
confirming that special interest within Post-Lib. a Suffolk Art Gallery, courtesy
groups will not be funded in the of RPG, I was not quite sure
future the challenges of making Annual Lunch what to expect but it was so
RPG become self-funding 21st September 2021 real I recommend everyone
became even more urgent. One of the ideas that came up to try a virtual visit. We want
Your committee have at the Annual Lunch was the to communicate more with
continued to meet by Zoom re-introduction of the residential the RPG membership and are
since the early part of 2020 visit within the UK and beyond. looking at a number of virtual
including the Annual General To test the water for this, your visits linked to RPG Networking
Meetings and this looks like committee have prepared a and Member Days. If anyone
it will continue into 2022 and three-day residential including would like to help with this at
beyond. The next AGM is on outings to local places of regional level please let me
Tuesday 7th June 2022 at interest etc. planned for know.
2pm by Zoom. The Zoom link October 2022 centred within Money continues to be a
will be circulated nearer the the Lake District. We are keen challenge and we are trying
time, so please try and drop to promote this aspect of RPG new ways to make us self-
in – you can participate during which was once very popular funding and one of them is
the meeting and there is an with trips to Australia! I suggest establishing a 100 Club. Most
opportunity for informal chat we start with the Lake District of us know the 100 Club idea
afterwards. Although a face- for openers. from community activities but
to-face committee is unlikely Now that COVID is a bit more supporting RPG via a 100 Club
in the near future the Zoom will help keep RPG alive. Details
meetings are easy to manage of the proposed 100 Club are in
and people are getting used to Post Lib. Why not sign up- it will
the experience. keep RPG going and you could
The Annual Lunch was win!
finally held on Tuesday 21st Despite the challenges of
September 2021 at the Civil COVID, RPG are promoting
Service Club and there were 26 many activities for the
4
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 4 14/02/2022 17:46
“Most of us know the
100 Club idea from
community activities
but supporting
RPG via a 100 Club
will help keep RPG
alive. Details of the
proposed 100 Club
are in Post Lib.”
The RPG lunch will be on Tuesday 26th April at the Civil Service Club
A trip to the Lake District is planned for October 2022
membership but this would not powerhouse of creative energy
be possible without the RPG planning for 2022 and beyond
Committee: Sian as Vice Chair but we still need a Marketing
who has a corporate brief on and Communications colleague
the role of RPG within CILIP, to help put us more firmly on
Vincent our new Secretary the road – anyone with a few
who has the challenge of the hours to spare a month?
minute taking and general If you would like to know a
co-ordination, Charmaine has little more about this rewarding
continued to organize visits to opportunity, please let me
places of interest throughout know.
COVID19, Alan who has RPG are your Committee, and
strengthened our IT role within I really would like your views on
CILIP, Judith has continued anything to do with our group,
to balance the books with a please let me know if we can
smile, Christie who has made do anything better!
Post-Lib the jewel in our crown Ian Orton,
and David who remains a Chair RPG
5
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 5 14/02/2022 17:46
Editor’s note
Christiana Ikeogu
Contact me
editor.rpg@cilip.org.uk
christieikeogu@gmail.com
Welcome to the 96th edition of CILIP RPG’s Post-Lib
W
hat a roller coaster start no doubt move you to reflect and
to the year 2022! As we possibly share your own story
adjust to the Omicron on why and how you ended up in
infestation, with reduced contact the profession.
with families and friends over the It is always good to look back
Christmas period, then comes the and assess as well as appreciate
news of energy price rises, hospital our progress in everything we
waiting lists getting longer, and do. I am delighted that Pat and
catastrophic stormy weather hitting Tom Featherstone have kindly
coastal regions in Britain and other reported past adventure and
parts of the world. One would have tours RPG made long before the
thought that leaders of the world present committee members came
have enough problems to solve into power. I hope their work will
rather than escalation of border encourage us all to have a more
disputes presently heating up positive outlook and understanding
between Russia and Ukraine and that age is not a barrier to making
involving many other countries. a difference in the profession. I
However, over here at RPG, there am sure those who worked and
is so much positivity and inspiration enjoyed those trips will be pleased
for a better future. Our Chair, Ian by what they achieved in those
Orton and committee members days.
are continuously punching above Our business plan, annual report
the weight of the SIG, as you will and accounts reflect the efforts
discover from the articles below. committee members are putting
NEXT ISSUE As the doors open for mixing and into the affairs of the SIG. Our
partnering with other organisations, gratitude goes to the Chair, Vice
Please send articles in Charmaine and David have Chair, and the Treasurer for those
MS Word for the next issue
worked hard in organising visits, reports. As Ian has stated, we
before 23rd May 2022 to
the editor at the following virtually and face-to-face. You would like to hear your comments
address: Christiana Ikeogu, will be thrilled, as I am, with and suggestions, and on how the
130 Elphinstone Road,
Vincent McDonald’s story of his group is performing. We are RPG!
London E17 5EX
career among women. I was also And we are CILIP!
E: christieikeogu@gmail.com inspired by the sincerity of Joseph With best wishes for a better
You can also speak to her over
Wormald who shares his journey year ahead.
the phone on 07957726215
into librarianship. His article will Christiana Ikeogu
6
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 6 14/02/2022 17:46
News and Views
CILIP RPG has big plans to every six months.
secure our future and develop CILIP RPG provides various
what we offer to colleagues events, visits, and webinars
across CILIP and beyond. at low cost or free of charge,
We have come up with a so this is a way to try to ensure
new way to replenish the a modest but regular annual
coffers to allow us to grow and income. The 100 Club is open
develop, benefitting all those to all CILIP Members. If you
who have an interest in our feel you are able to support
work. The idea is to have a CILIP RPG by being part of
100 Club with each number the 100 Club that would be
paying £2 per month (£24 per
annum). At the end of each
wonderful. It is possible to buy
as many numbers as you wish!
JOIN THE
month the numbers will be In the first instance we need to 100 CLUB
drawn, and three winners gauge whether we would have
announced. On the basis sufficient support. If you would Please complete the brief
CILIP RPG 100 Club Survey:
of 100 members, the proposed be willing to participate in the www.surveymonkey
prizes will be £30, £20 and £10, 100 Club please get in touch at .co.uk/r/MDYGZC3
with an additional prize of £50 the link opposite.
7
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 7 14/02/2022 17:46
Trending
Visit to the
hockey museum
and archive
By Charmaine Bourton
• VENUE: Hockey museum
• LOCATION: Woking, surrey
• DATE OF VISIT: 15.10.21
T
he Hockey Museum is a ball with a stick in 2,000
the world’s first and only BC. However, a game is not
museum dedicated to considered to be a game if there
hockey. It is located a very short are no formal rules.
distance from Woking station.
“The museum aims
Hockey is played in many How the museum works
to preserve, share,
countries and more people play There are 56 collections and
hockey than cricket. study topics including clothes,
and celebrate the
The museum was originally ties, caps, goal keeping
history and heritage
located in Milton Keynes but is equipment, sticks, balls, 2000 of hockey.”
now in its current 1890s Victorian pin badges, 450 hockey stamps goal – so every player can be
building. It is independent (believed to be a complete seen. This is a useful resource
of any governing body. The collection), programmes from for those wanting to research
museum aims to preserve, around the world, postcards, relatives who were in hockey
share, and celebrate the history pictures, and illustrations. The teams. There is a quilting
and heritage of hockey. film collection consists of over collection (see photos - note
It has won a President’s 100 films including a March 1938 the Olympic rings present in
Award for services to hockey television programme which each picture) created by UK top
and has an accredited museum depicts hockey as the first ever quilter, Pat Deacon. They are
certificate. The “modern” version live sport to be televised. all embroidered with the name
of the game dates from 1871 There is a cabinet of films of the game and results on the
when a set of rules was drawn divided into male and female reverse.
up, but there is evidence of a from 2001 – 15 shots from We were taken to see the
game being played by hitting a single camera behind the volunteer’s workroom, where
8
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 8 14/02/2022 17:46
on Tuesdays and Wednesdays indoor, goalkeeper; the shape opened in other parts of the
4 students studying for PHDs, 1 of the head; the type of grip; country, so a book could be
Masters student, and students the material used on main shaft; given to them, but this hasn’t
from Royal Holloway meet the type of wood used and the happened yet!
to work. The university also manufacturer’s mark. Finally, we were shown the
provides interns! Next, Jill, the librarian showed archives. The archivist started as
We were interested to see a us the library - a small, but very a volunteer and was so inspired
“Quarantine” section – not just well organised space. She that he qualified as an archivist!
relating to Covid, but donated couldn’t use Dewey so made He showed us the minute books
items, mainly clothing, which are up her own system. The stock from the 1870s which showed
left in crates for 2 – 4 months basically covers men’s and the formulation of the rules
to make sure there are no women’s hockey, Club histories, being worked upon. Part of the
unwelcome inhabitants therein! biographies and handbooks rules for women’s hockey was
Next, we had a lesson on how produced by associations that they could stoop and use their
to catalogue a hockey stick! ran the game, biographies, long dresses to stop the ball!
None of us on the visit had annuals, and fiction – remember We had a fascinating couple
studied this at library school and the Angela Brazil books! of hours here and highly
for those of you reading this who The original intention was to recommend a visit!
also didn’t cover this you must collect four copies of each book
include: The type of stick - field, in case other hockey museums Charmaine Bourton
9
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 9 14/02/2022 17:46
Making Connections
Fire! The Catastrophic
incidents at the
University of Cape
Town and the
Parliamentary Precinct.
By Peter G Underwood
T
he years 2021 and
2022 will long be
remembered by LIS
professionals in South Africa
for two catastrophes. In 2021,
part of the Library of the
University of Cape Town was
destroyed by a fire that raged
across the mountainside, and Before
the year 2022 opened with the
destruction by fire of a portion
of the Parliamentary precinct
in Cape Town. Fortunately,
the Parliamentary Library was
largely unscathed; however,
older items held in basements
in another area of the precinct
may have been severely
damaged or destroyed by water After
damage. Because the precinct
has been declared a crime to preserve historical texts may lost-in-fire-20220128 (site visited
scene – arson having been have been affected by quality 1 February 2022).
alleged – the Library staff and control issues. The report, Fire and water are the
conservators have not been by James Stent, can be read elemental forces of nature
able to visit the scene to assess here: https://www.news24. that librarians perhaps most
damage and begin salvage. com/news24/southafrica/news/ fear: the extinguishing of a
Allied to this disaster, a recent exclusive-parliaments-botched- fire by water may cause more
news report suggests that a digitisation-may-mean-millions- destruction than the heat of
digitisation project undertaken of-precious-documents-were- the fire itself. On the morning
10
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 10 14/02/2022 17:46of Sunday 18 April 2021, high internationally for its extent to an area. For those of “riper”
winds drove a wildfire across and depth. years, the Triage Tent was
the slopes of Table Mountain The contents of the ground considered suitable in that the
towards the Upper Campus and mezzanine floors of the work was intricate but less-
of the University; this partly- Reading Room were completely demanding physically. The
wooded area provided the destroyed. What remained was main component formed a
perfect terrain of a biomass of the material held in basement human chain to label and pack
flammable vegetation to create stackrooms, into which a the contents of the basement
a high-intensity fire capable considerable volume of water stackrooms into plastic crates
of consuming everything in its from the firefighting equipment (generously donated by a South
path and of leaping roads to had settled. Automatic fire African supermarket company)
spread further. The destruction doors had prevented the and pass them to the surface,
embraced some historic conflagration spreading to the where the contents could
buildings, among them Mostert’s rest of the library. be sorted into material that
Mill, which was the last working The morning after, with smoke needed exposure to the air
windmill in South Africa, and still rising in a few areas, it to dry and that which needed
some community areas, such as was time to be grateful that suitable packing to be subjected
the Rhodes Memorial Restaurant no lives had been lost. The to freeze-drying for later
and Tea Gardens. call for volunteers to assist conservation.
The fire quickly spread to with a rescue and recovery A blog by Lara Kemp Reusch
the campus, with damage to mission was quickly answered of DK Conservators provides
residences, faculty buildings and by many students, alumni of a fascinating insight into the
the destruction of the Jagger the University, members of process of conservation: https://
Reading Room. This building was the community and retired blogs.uct.ac.za/memory/2021/11/
the original Reading Room of the staff, of which I am one. Many one-books-conservation-journey
Library of the Upper Campus, experts on conservation also Many staff contributed
designed by J. M. Solomon, and volunteered their services memories of the event and its
had been sensitively restored and several South African impact on their lives: https://
and refurbished, re-opening companies provided equipment, blogs.uct.ac.za/memory/jagger-
in May 2013. It enabled the refreshment for the teams and library-recovery/
collocation of the Special other support. There are plans afoot for
Collections, consisting of the Of principal importance continued conservation
African Studies Collection, was safety of the volunteers; work and for the rebuilding/
Manuscripts and Archives, before entering the shell of reimagining of the site of the
the Audio-Visual Archive, and the Reading Room — which Jagger Reading Room. Much
the rare books collections — had been declared secure by has been lost — but not the
including books, pamphlets, structural engineers — every creativity and enthusiasm of
periodicals, photographs and volunteer had to attend a safety those who care.
film, archival material, maps, briefing and respond to a brief Peter G. Underwood
and posters. The quality questionnaire about physical Emeritus Professor
of the collection had long ability, following which the of Librarianship
been recognised volunteers could be assigned University of Cape Town
11
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 11 14/02/2022 17:46Making Connections
What larks! RPG
(Previously RMG)
Trips 1997-2008 Quebec, The Library
National Assembly
By Pat Featherstone
W
riting this article has Bibliothèque nationale on the
been a trip but this banks of the Seine, although
time down Memory its brutalist architecture did not
Lane and yes, there were larks please all. By way of contrast
but there was also a serious side the library of the Augustinian
to them as visits were made to Abbey at, founded in the 6th
some wonderful libraries whose Sainte-Geneviève, century,
ages ranged over more than a was a treasure trove of
Dublin
thousand years of history and manuscripts and incunabula. The
we met colleagues who were Archbishop’s Palace now houses
only too pleased to show a a technical library set up for with a walking tour of the Old
group of ‘oldies’ around and also workers engaged in restoration Town and this was followed by
on occasion ask for advice. and conservation. a visit to the newly refurbished
Please note that all these Shortly after that in June of the City Library where a tower in
reports were written up in Post- same year there was a theatre the form of a well had been
Lib, and the numbers in brackets weekend in Scarborough (13) incorporated into the structure
refer to those issues in which where our colleague (and to symbolise the depth of
they appeared, and which of professional magician) Roy knowledge in the collection.
course give rather more details Field had arranged a tour of Also visited were the National
than there has been space here. the Stephen Joseph Theatre Library which was housed in a
The first trip was in April 1997 where many Alan Ayckbourn former Jesuit monastery where
and appropriately enough was plays have been premiered and the ceilings were as magnificent
a literary weekend in Bath (10) which started life in the library as the books and manuscripts
where the emphasis was very reading room. We also saw a and an equally beautiful building
much on the life and works of performance of his latest and housing the library of the
Jane Austen with talks and a on the Sunday morning there Strahov Monastery.
walking tour of the city. was a short tour of the North Then In April 2000, Edinburgh
This was followed in March York Moors (19) was the venue for a four-
1998 by a visit to Paris (12) The following year (1999) saw day trip where Toni Bunch had
where the highlight was a us back in Europe with a visit organised a very varied (and
visit to the recently re-located to Prague (15). Here we started packed) programme for us.
12
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 12 14/02/2022 17:46Stephen Joseph Theatre
Prague Old Town
was reprising her role, earlier
in life, of Tour Organiser in the
AAL (Association of Assistant
Librarians) and it was that
Canberra Parliament house
organisation to which most of
the participants in these tours
We saw the grand premises of ex-pats on the area, and which had belonged. This meant
the Signet Library and some accounted for the large number that there was a solid nucleus
wonderful prints in the Library of English language books in of people who had known
of the Royal Botanic Gardens. some collections. One of the one another for most of their
We also visited the Russell more unusual museums was professional lives and during
Collection of early musical in Monaco where the National that time had also built up a wide
instruments where Jean Plaister Museum houses a fascinating range of contacts. This proved
showed an unexpected talent by collection of automata and just invaluable in setting up many
playing for us. for the record, we did not visit of the tours particularly IFLA
We again returned to Europe the Casino although that was contacts and the staff of the
in October 2001. This time to the tempting as a possible means of British Council (such as Frances
south of France, where from our funding future RMG tours. Salinie in Paris) not to mention
base in Menton (25) we visited a Nearer to home, 2002 saw colleagues living in the area
wide range of libraries, gardens a short trip to Norwich (27) in to be visited who could supply
and museums along the Côte April where Rex Stedman had much local knowledge as to
d’Azur and the Ligurian coast, organised a visit to the (then) places to visit.
all organised for us by John new Central Library and also Then in November 2003 came
Garrod a former Librarian at took us on a walking city tour. the ‘biggy’ - a three-week tour
NATO but now living in Monaco. The travel arrangements for to Australia (33 also Library
It was fascinating to see the many of these early visits were Association Gazette 27/02/04
influence of 19th century British arranged by Sheila Wilson who for a more comprehensive
13
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 13 14/02/2022 17:47Making Connections
report) stopping off at Hong
Kong on the way out and
Singapore on the way back.
Getting into Australia was not
easy for Doreen Bailey, one
of the more elderlies in the
party, who was stopped when
sniffer dogs decided that her
luggage contained a ‘suspicious
substance’ – this turned out to
be lavender bags which she
had made to give to a friend
in Sydney! On the plus side,
Tom was very pleased to be
re-united with his luggage Chetham’s Library in Manchester, England, is the oldest
free public reference library in the English-speaking world
which he had not seen since
Heathrow. Sydney was the Singapore. we were given a private and
busiest part of the tour with This had obviously given very knowledgeable tour of their
visits to Parliamentary, State, members a real taste for travel Ulysses exhibition. The Royal
Central Public and a branch because 2004 saw first, a visit College of Surgeons was noted
library. It was not all hard work to Cambridge (36) in April where not just for its library but also
though. We panned for gold Paul Kirwen used his influence for having sheltered Countess
at Sovereign Hill, a recreation as a Fellow to get us into several Markievicz and her fellow
of a mining village just outside of the college libraries. This was fighters during the Easter Rising
Melbourne, although even here then followed in October by a (the bullet holes are still there on
we found a library in the shape 17-day visit to St. Petersburg (37 the brass plate at the entrance)
of a Mechanics Institute, and & 38) where Ron Surridge led a But then in September we
once up in Queensland we party through seven libraries, a were globe-trotting again with a
marvelled at the natural beauty conservation centre and several tour of eastern Canada (41). Here
of the rain forest and the Great museums including of course we visited libraries in Montreal,
Barrier Reef. We met up with our the wonderful collections of the Quebec, Ottowa and Toronto. In
equivalent group, the Pearls in Hermitage. Montreal we visited the newly
Canberra, and in Melbourne saw The following year again opened Grande Bibliothèque.
Mike Ramsden who had moved saw two visits, Dublin (39) in From there we moved on to
from Aberwystwyth to Australia April where Deidre Ellis-King, Quebec where our language
many years before. Meeting up the City Librarian gave us a skills were tested by the proudly
with long-unseen friends and warm welcome, particularly Francophile inhabitants and
family was a recurring theme of to Tom who had been on her the staff of the Laval University
this tour. We think that at least appointment panel some years (“you want me to speak
ten libraries were visited ranging before. Trinity College was a English this late on a Friday
from the grandeur of Sydney ‘must’ as was the obligatory pub afternoon!”). The coach journey
University to the high-tech of crawl even if it had a literary from Quebec to Ottowa threw
Woodlands Regional Library in theme! In the National Library up another surprise when the
14
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 14 14/02/2022 17:47in Dresden where collections
scattered throughout both the
city and the region had recently
been brought together under
one roof and during a city tour,
we were also able to marvel at
the wonderful restoration work
that has taken place since WW2.
The tour was organised by Joan
Woollatt who probably holds the
record for having participated in
nearly all these trips.
Countess Markievicz The final trip was a long-
postponed visit to Cardiff (51) in
musical accompaniment to lunch were produced and visited April 2008. This was organised
required audience participation Manchester to go to Chetham’s by Bob Nichols who had laid
and Beryl and Mike Saitch duly Library, the oldest public on a varied programme of visits
obliged with an impressive library in the country which still which included the National
performance on the spoons. contains some chained books Museum Library, Rhondda
Ottowa is home to the National and was also the place where Heritage Park where the group
Archives Preservation Centre, Engels wrote the ‘Condition of donned miners’ helmets for
and we were very taken with the Working Class in England’, an underground tour which
the staff offices on the top floor based on his observations of life included an all-too-realistic
which were in the form of small in Manchester at the time. demonstration of using dynamite
individual houses. Our final stop Services for the visually at a coal face, and a tour of the
was Toronto where in addition to impaired also featured in our new Senedd (Welsh Assembly)
libraries, including the Osborne week-long visit to Germany and its library on Cardiff Bay.
Collection of Early Children’s (49) in September 2007 when So, there we have it. 15 trips
Books, there was a side trip to we visited the Deutsche over the course of 11 years
Niagara Falls and of course a Zentralbucherie für Blinde in and ranging across the British
winery where we learned all Leipzig. This came at the end of Isles, Europe and further afield
about ice wine and its unusual a tour where we had visited both to Australia and Canada. Yes,
production. sites of the National Library in there were larks, visits to
After this 2006 was a quiet Berlin and the Amerika-Gedenke wineries and receptions figure
year with a short visit to Buxton Bibiothek whose deputy director almost as much as libraries in
(43) where we visited the grand Christina Sauer has been a good the reports, but we would like
library of Tatton Park, now in friend of ours for many years. It to think that by meeting other
the hands of the National Trust, was interesting to learn how all colleagues and finding out
where one of their conservators these institutions are adapting to about mutual problems and
told us about the on-going work Berlin, and Germany itself, being successes we added a little
of preservation. We also visited once more united. Unification more understanding to the
the RNIB just outside Stockport was also the theme of our visit world of librarianship.
where we saw how Braille books to the State University Library Pat and Tom Featherstone
15
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 15 14/02/2022 17:47People
Amongst women
By Vincent McDonald
J
ohn McGahern’s 1990 wrist, shin, face. I went to the
novel takes its title from doctor. ‘Your blood is run down’,
‘Blessed art thou…’ and he said. ‘You need to give up Amongst women by
made it into The Guardian’s 2015 going out at night or getting up John McGahern, Quality
list of the 100 greatest novels at dawn’. Paperbacks Direct, 1990
of the 20th Century. Moran, I gave in my notice the
the principal male character, is next day. I went to the Youth
a former guerrilla fighter in the Employment Office in Harrow, Borough Librarian, a man who
Irish Independence struggle Northwest London. ‘What do later became City Librarian for
in the 1920’s. His wife, three you like?’ the adviser asked. Birmingham. ‘I see from your
daughters and two sons struggle ‘Books and football, but I know application that E M Forster is
with the religious and patriarchal I will never play football for one of your favourite writers.
stranglehold of the Ireland of the England’. ‘What about a library?’. What did you think of A journey
time. The novel is more about So, she rang Harrow Libraries. to India?’.
the women than the lone man. No vacancy for library assistants. At the end of the interview,
I loved the book when I read ‘Could you get to Brent?’ ‘Yes, he offered me a job as a library
it, decades ago. It was unusual there is a bus’. She rang them. assistant. ‘Your appearance is
to read a man writing such an This was a Tuesday. They said, fine’, he said, ‘but you might
empathetic portrait of women. ‘come for an interview’. I went want to think about having
When I left school, I had no that Thursday. elocution lessons’. He was
real idea what I was going to I was interviewed by the referring to my North London
do. My Mum came home one
day and said, ‘Vincent, there
is an advert in the bus; they
are looking for postmen’. So, I
applied and became a postman,
getting up at 4.30 to start work
at 5 am.
I was 18 years old, and going
out drinking, heavily, to pubs and
dances 2 or 3 nights a week.
After about six months in the
job, I started coming out in boils,
which were slow to heal. I still Vincent’s retirement party, pictured with staff from Newmarket,
have the scars, on my fingers, one of the libraries in the area he used to manage
16
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 16 14/02/2022 17:47council estate accent. I left the other (male) branch librarians. as library users were not being
interview pleased to have the In 1909 a survey had found given proper attention; second,
job, and a bit sneery about this that 41 percent of librarians were a movement was needed to put
man who had questioned my women. By the 1960’s, 70% of this right; third, it should not be
accent but got the title wrong for the profession were female. restricted to feminist librarians,
one of the great novels of the Women’s wages remained but open to all women, staff,
20th Century. I started work as lower than those of their male and users.
a library assistant the following colleagues, and of women in Two years later, a group of
Monday. other professions. In 1979, Sheila around 10 women, initially known
My first boss, the Branch Ritchie undertook research into as ‘The Feminist Library Workers’
Librarian in the quiet library the positions and pay of female Group’, organised a conference
where I started work, was a librarians and produced an at the Polytechnic of Central
spinster. Her Senior Assistant article entitled ‘2000 to 1: a sex London. At the end of the
Librarian was a man, there were oddity’ which was published in meeting, a group was formally
two female and two male library ‘Assistant Librarian’ in Mar 1979. brought into being, entitled
assistants. The Branch Librarian It showed that though women ‘Women in Libraries’ (it existed
seemed unhappy, she would staffed most public libraries, it until 1990), and a majority vote
speak rather brusquely to me, was male staff that dominated decided that it should be open
and I sometimes wondered if senior positions in the to women only.
she disliked men. It came as a profession. In response to this, The Chartered Institute
huge surprise to hear from a the author helped found Women of Library and Information
friend who worked at one of the in Libraries, the first feminist Professionals (CILIP) and
other libraries in the borough, group for women in libraries. An the Archives and Records
years later, that my friend had inaugural conference was held Association (UK & Ireland) (ARA)
walked into a rarely used room and attracted over 200 women, produced a report in 2015,
in the Central Library, looking for who agreed on three points. the UK information workforce
something, and had disturbed First, the rights of women as survey, the most extensive
my boss shagging one of the employees in the profession and study of its kind anywhere
17
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 17 14/02/2022 17:47People
in the world. It revealed that qualification. I ended up, with a larger library in Bletchley.
despite having a predominately qualification, working in the Eventually I left
female workforce at 78.1%, Brent Central Library. There Buckinghamshire to work in
male library and information was a reserve stock upstairs, Bedfordshire, with responsibility
workers typically earned more accessed by a spiral staircase, for a fairly busy branch library
than women and were nearly which presented challenges and three mobile libraries.
twice as likely to occupy senior to the women library assistants The six staff in the library were
management roles than their wearing the short skirts which by all women, the three mobile
female counterparts. Of those the early seventies were normal. drivers were men. Once, one
working more than 22 hours a I was courting a woman, Kim, of the library assistants asked
week and earning £30,000 or who I wanted to marry, but we me for a reference for a job she
more annually, 47% were men knew that the meagre wages of had applied for outside of the
and 37.3% women. a very junior Assistant Librarian service. She told me she would
Gill Furniss, MP and former would not allow us to buy a be very grateful if I gave her
librarian, contributed to an home in London. We wished to a good reference. ‘I would do
Information Professional article move out of the city to a more anything for a good reference;
in March 2018, on Gender Parity rural area. I have this theory and I do mean anything’ she
in Libraries: ‘The large majority that children who grow up in said, looking me square in
of information professionals a metropolis long to move to the eyes.
and library workers are women. the country, whereas country- Then a mobile driver left,
However, we know that few are raised children long to live in a and we appointed a woman in
in managerial positions, and big city. A job was advertised in his place. She had to pick the
we know that many information the Library Association Record mobile up from the depot where
positions are voluntary. Women for a Branch Librarian at a it had been serviced. She called
make up the majority of the part-time library in a village in into the workshop there to
voluntary industry. It is possible Buckinghamshire. I applied, was collect the keys.
that more women, particularly interviewed, and got the job, ‘Are you with the driver?’
older women, are overlooked and proposed to Kim that same The mechanic asked. ‘I am the
for paid positions. Women also evening. We married in 1976 driver!’ She replied, gleefully
hold more part-time roles and so and moved into an end terrace After working in Brent,
are less likely to progress to the cottage in a little village close to Buckinghamshire, and
top of their career’. It seems that Woburn Sands. I worked there Bedfordshire, I ended up in
there is still a longstanding and for three years, before moving to Suffolk, where I worked in
intractable bias against women be Senior Assistant Librarian in various jobs in the library and
in libraries. culture sphere for 24 years until
I remain grateful to Brent.
“The large majority retirement. For most of that
After a year or so as a library
of information time I was an area manager,
assistant, they gave me holiday professionals and with 15 libraries. All but one of
employment, and a retainer library workers are the managers were women.
grant to supplement my local women. However, we I rarely had a problem with
authority grant, while I studied know that few are in them. I was assisted by a team
two years for my library managerial positions.” of six librarians, half women,
18
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 18 14/02/2022 17:47“Women get on and sort problems
without making a fuss. They are
generally more empathetic. They are
less egotistic. They are also more likely
to bring cakes into work.”
half men. The only ones that friends, that I am still in contact down, and the driver asked the
presented problems were the with, are men I have been man who had directed me what
two men. Women get on and friends with from childhood. But was going on. It was obviously
sort problems without making a simply that, overall, women are a big event in the village. ‘He
fuss. They are generally more nicer, and easier to work with, is looking for the McGahern
empathetic. They are less and more sensible. house,’ I heard my helper say.
egotistic. They are also more I loved the book Amongst Then they both looked at me
likely to bring cakes into work. women (and the excellent TV with bemusement.
Every Easter I remember the mini-series that came from it). It Virtually my whole working life
simnel cake that one of my presents what Robert McCrumm was spent in libraries. I remain
woman colleagues used to cook called a ‘hauntingly beautiful grateful for a bus advert which
and bring to the staffroom; every evocation of a world and a led me to a job and a profession
birthday Judy used to bring fruit landscape’. McGahern had that allowed me to work with
cake to my desk. an intense attachment to his books, and to provide access
It was after retirement that mother, and he is buried beside to books and learning for others
I gradually came to realise her. On a visit to Ireland a few through my work.
that it wasn’t only the love years ago I went to visit the It was a fine working life
of books that had given me house and grave, in Aughawillan because I was surrounded
such a satisfying working life. in Leitrim, and the nearby lake by books; and was amongst
It wasn’t only my late wife who that plays such a beguiling yet women.
was a heroic woman. That unsettling part in his oeuvre. In
women as a whole were better the tiny quiet village, I asked the Vincent McDonald
as work partners, and as daily only person I could find for the Vincent is the author of Honey
companions. This didn’t mean location of the house. The man from Dorabjees (2013), about
I disliked men. On the contrary, pointed. As I stood looking, a two post-retirement years
my four oldest and dearest car drew up, the window wound working for VSO in India.
19
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 19 14/02/2022 17:47People
The
Accidental
Librarian
By Joe Wormald
I
have always been impressed Adviser at the Headmasters
by colleagues who were Conference. As I wasn’t too
clear from the start that they sure what a career was, all my
wanted to be librarians. I came suggestions were dismissed
into the profession rather more as having no prospects, and I
casually and thought that an wasn’t too sure what he was
occasional series of, at times, recommending. Finally, he
my equally casual progression suggested librarianship, to which
might provide a little light I made the classic response
entertainment. This episode about standing about stamping
tries to recapture the library books all day. My adviser
world of 1950 and my approach thought there was more to it
to it. Later episodes, if the than that, “You can take exams, Given the various commitments
Editor’s and readers’ patience get letters after your name, of the armed forces at the
can stand it, will cover the that sort of thing” he said and time (1950) it occurred to me
ground at a much quicker pace. anyway, brightening, “You will afterwards that he may have
“Looking back on our careers” be doing your National Service thought that a friendly bullet
said my friend “it looks as if it in eighteen months’ time, after might solve the problem for me.
was a planned and effortless that you may have a better idea.” There were two immediate
rise up the career ladder. In fact, “My induction vacancies, Mitcham and
it was a matter of chance and Southwark. Southwark was the
consisted of one day
luck”. That was certainly true in easier and shorter journey, so
at the Central Library
my case: in fact, I only became a an easy choice. (As it turned
librarian by chance.
in the Walworth Road out that decision affected not
School Certificate taken,
where I was shown only my career but my personal
results not yet known, the how to sort and life for the next sixty plus
world of work beckoned and shelve books, operate years.) Anyway, an interview
not having any idea of what I the Browne issue was arranged with the Chief
wanted to do I took up the offer system, and use a Librarian, who seemed less
of an interview with the Careers date stamp neatly.” concerned with my potential
20
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 20 14/02/2022 17:47than when I would start, and that the three other new entrants five days a week, with
his preference for employing were all girls. a half day on Wednesdays.
males. “Women just get trained Now fully trained I was sent I found it a pleasant if
and then get married and leave”. to the Branch Library in the undemanding way of earning
Truly, the past is a different Old Kent Road. The building, a living, duly took the First
country! now demolished to make way Professional Exam at the LA’s
My induction consisted of for a flyover had been built Chaucer House. In due course
one day at the Central Library in early 20th century Gothic my colleague was called up
in the Walworth Road where in tribute to the Canterbury for National Service and, to the
I was shown how to sort and Pilgrims. There were four Branch Librarian’s disgust (and
shelve books, operate the staff, the Branch Librarian and my delight) his replacement was
Browne issue system, and Deputy being qualified, and female-a Miss Gibson. Despite
use a date stamp neatly. I two Assistants, and a stock that, life resumed its peaceful
was also told I would join the which was still largely 1930s and way until it was my turn to
Library Association and study earlier, although this improved disappear for two years on
(in my own time) for its Entrance as war-time restrictions on book for National Service.
Examination after one year. One production eased. The library To be continued
sign of the changing times was was open from 9.30 until 8pm Joe Wormald
21
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 21 14/02/2022 17:47Reports, Events
and Announcements
RPG Chair’s
Annual Report 2021
By Ian Orton
B
eing an eternal optimist, sponsorship, partnership, online we had to change the date
I thought 2021 would courses, and visits plus other of the Annual Lunch twice
see off COVID 19 and creative avenues. You will see during 2020 and once during
somehow, we would get back the advert from Riviera Travel 2021, we finally were able to
to normal! Well, I got some of in this edition of Post Lib plus hold the lunch on Tuesday
it right COVID has not gone Riviera will contribute 10% of any 21st September 2021 at the
away however the Retired RPG holiday via Riviera to RPG. Civil Service Club. Despite the
Professionals Group continued We also agreed that subject tail end of COVID 26 people
to rise to the challenges of to RPG support we would enjoyed the lunch, these
COVID and we did lots of things introduce a 100 Club during included RPG, CILIP and guests;
during 2021 and have some 2022. A combination of this for the first time we had a raffle
bumper things are planned for type of income will allow RPG to which helped the lunch to make
2022 and beyond! become self-funding and even a small surplus of just under
I now fully understood the term grow! There are details of the £200 which is enough for one
‘electronic freedom’. During 2021 100 Club in this edition of Post- electronic edition of Post Lib.
when we had several committee Lib. Please think about joining, The 2022 Annual Lunch is
and informal meetings, the it’s not expense, it all helps planned for Tuesday 19th April at
AGM and site visits by Zoom RPG and CILIP survive, and you 12.30 and details are within this
and other arms of social and can win! Finance will continue edition of Post-Lib.
other media. The continuing to remain a challenge but the Post-Lib continues to become
convenience of social media has decision by CILIP to move the the main link for RPG members
also meant more RPG members headquarters should create an to share experiences and
are now communicating via operating surplus that will help views. Subject to funds we
email etc. allowing us to ensure the membership in the future. plan to produce two or three
everyone gets Post-Lib and Our Annual Lunch is a major electronic and one hard copy
saving postage. event in our year and although a year and although more of
Finance challenges for CILIP the membership are receiving
has meant a decline in support
“Partnership electronic copies some
for the special interest groups
remained the members are reluctant to share
(including RPG) and prior to the challenge and email details with CILIP/RPG. I
decision by CILIP that special opportunity of 2021 understand the concern about
interest groups would have to for RPG both to handing out your email details,
be self-funding from 2022 RPG promote the group but CILIP/RPG will not share
had started to attract funds via and attract funds.” your email details with a third
22
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 22 14/02/2022 17:47RPG’s Business
plan for 2022
The RPG Committee has formulated its planned activities for
party! So please the more we send
2022 following participation in CILIP’s Big Conversation. Our
by email the more we save your
plan is in line with the strategic aims in the “We are CILIP”
subscriptions.
campaign which can be found at https://www.cilip.org.uk/
Partnership remained the
page/StatementOfPurpose. In particular, as a Special Interest
challenge and opportunity of 2021
Group, we aim to build a strong community network and to
for RPG both to promote the group
grow our membership so that CILIP can continue to be a
and attract funds. At the 2019 CILIP
sustainable and thriving representative organisation.
Conference I was approached by
Bringing this down to a practical level, these are our
colleagues who asked about what
priorities for 2022:
retired librarians do and since then
• a programme of monthly visits throughout Summer
RPG has started to sell itself as a
• a programme of bi-monthly virtual visits
brand that is about many things
• at least one event focussing on opportunities for retired
of which retirement is just one!
information professionals
Charmaine has organized visits on
• an annual lunch at the Civil Service Club, open to all CILIP
a regular basis and were it not for
staff and members
COVID face to face visits would still
• a 3-day residential visit within the UK
be ongoing, but COVID has meant
• publication of two electronic issues and one printed issue of
we have to offer more electronic
the journal Post-Lib, using an external printing service and
visits and this programme is now
including advertising space.
firmly in place. During 2021 as your
• electronic newsletters to members promoting all activities
Chair, I visited an Art Exhibition
• strengthening regional RPG representation
in Suffolk, spoke with a Russian
• an automatic welcome message to new members
Librarian, and discovered that
• setting up a 100 club
public libraries have played a big
• at least one Committee member to attend CILIP Annual
part in fighting loneliness during
Conference
COVID and many more such
• support Anthony Thompson award in partnership with ILIG
events. Details of such events are
circulated to RPG members and on
Our online AGM on 7th June 2022 is an opportunity for
the web site.
any RPG member to comment on these plans
2021 has been a year as we
– we are always open to new ideas!
slowly edge towards normality
2022 will be even more fun!
Sian King
Ian Orton,
Vice-Chair, RPG
Chair RPG
23
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 23 14/02/2022 17:47Reports, Events
and Announcements
CILIP Retired Professionals
Group 2021 Accounts
(Since 1st January 2021) Prepared by Judith Allery (Hon. Treasurer)
for Committee Meeting 11th January 2022
Current Account (Unity Trust Bank)
Income
Month item £
B/f 1.1.21 £2,808.12
April 2021 FY18 VAT Refund £208.27
July 2021 CILIP Special Grant (Note 1) £872.00
Sept. 2021 Annual Lunch Income (Note 2) £835.50
Sept. 2021 Annual Lunch Raffle (Note 2) £120.00
Oct. 2021 4 Donations re Bromley House Visit £20.00
Oct. 2021 K&IM Group Joint Webinars (Note 3) £197.50
Oct. 2021 Repayment of CILIP Recovery Loan (4) £100.00
Nov. 2021 3 Donations re Bromley House Visit £15.00
Dec. 2021 3 Donations re Salisbury Cathedral Visit £15.00
Total Income at 31.12.21 £5,191.39
Expenditure
Year item £
2019 Printing & Postage for hard-copy Post-Lib £690.31
2020 Committee Meeting Travel Expenses £184.35
2020 Committee Meeting Subsistence £20.09
2020 Electronic Post-Lib Design £200.00
Mailshot expenses £38.43
Committee Postage £15.99
Committee Travel £24.60
RPG Recovery loan to CLIP £100.00
Webinar on Supporting Local Libraries (1 delegate) £118.80
RPG Annual Lunch (Note 2) £772.20
2021 Electronic Post-Lib Design £200.00
Manual Handling Bank Charges £3.80
Total Income at 31.12.21 £2,368.57
31.12.21 Current AC balance: £5,191.39 - £2,368.57 = £2,822.82 2021 overall profit was £14.70
24
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 24 14/02/2022 17:47Summary of 2021 Income Summary of Expenditure 2021
Item £ Item £
B/F @ 1.1.21 £2,808.12 Annual Lunch £772.20
Annual Lunch £955.50 CILIP Loan £100.00
CILIP Loan Repayment £100.00 Committee Travel & Subsistence £229.04
CILIP Special Grant £872.00 Manual Handling Bank Charges £3.80
Joint K&IM Webinars £197.50 Post-Lib (2019-2021) £1,090.31
VAT Refund (2018) £208.27 Postage £54.42
Visits £50.00 Public Policy Exchange Seminar £118.80
Total Income £5,191.39 Total Expenditure £2,822.82
Note 1 - Funding
Although there was no Annual Funding (formerly Capitation) from CILIP for Special Interest Groups and
Member Networks during 2021, the one-off grant of £872 was received by the RPG in July 2021. This will
ensure Post-Lib is published as RPG’s main Member offer. In future all MNs/SIGs are to be self-sufficient.
Note 2 – Annual Lunch on 21st September 2021
24 guests attended: Income was £835.50; Invoice was £720.20; Surplus was £63.30
The raffle organized by David made £120.
Total amount raised = £183.30.
Note 3 - Income from joint courses with the K&IM Group
The K&IM Group paid RPG the sum of £197.50 which was half of the income (£395.00) from the 3 joint
courses held with the K&IM Group in 2020 and early 2021.
Note 4 - Recovery Loans to CILIP for 2020/21
(a) The sum of £100 loaned to CILIP from the RPG Current Account on 10th May 2021 was repaid on 29th
October 2021.
(b) T he sum of £500 which came from a donation to RPG/RMG and held in trust by CILIP was loaned to
CILIP for the Recovery Programme. This should be repaid to RPG by end of 2022.
Judith Allery, RPG Hon. Treasurer
8th January 2022
25
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 25 14/02/2022 17:47Reports, Events
and Announcements
RPG Tours and Events
March - October 2022
Monday 14th March 2022
Time: 2.00pm
Venue: Moravian Church House Library and Archives
Address: 5 - 7 Muswell Hill, London N10 3TJ
Description: The library contains printed books relating to the history of the Church both in Britain and
abroad, biographies, Moravian hymn and tune books and theology. The archive material consists of
records relating to certain congregations particularly those no longer in existence, mission reports, Synod
minutes and much more.
No.of places: 10 - 12
Cost: Free but donations very much appreciated
Please contact Charmaine if you would like to come on:
charmainebourton11@hotmail.co.uk or 020 8395 9209
Tuesday April 19th, 2022
(NB: This is the day after Easter Monday)
Time: 2.00pm
Venue: National Badminton Museum
Address: Bradwell Road, Milton Keynes MK8 9LA
Description: The National Badminton Museum was opened on 9th September 2003. The national
collection of badminton rackets, shuttles, books and memorabilia is one of the finest and most
comprehensive collections of badminton artefacts in the world.
No.of places: 30
Cost: Free but they ask for a donation of £5.00 per visitor!
Please contact Charmaine if you would like to come on:
charmainebourton11@hotmail.co.uk or 020 8395 9209
26
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 26 14/02/2022 17:47Wednesday, 23rd March 2022
Venue: Virtual Visit to the Royal Philatelic Society London (RPSL)
Description: Join Nicola Davies (RPSL Head of Collections) for this tour.
• An introduction to philately
• A brief history of the RPSL (oldest philatelic Society in the world, established in 1869)
• The move and redesign of the RPSL library & collections during 2019
• International work with other philatelic libraries
• Current conservation and volunteering projects
This virtual visit has been organised by CILIP RPG (Retired Professionals) in association with CILIP East
Midlands and U3A (University of the Third Age).
Cost: There is no charge for CILIP and U3A members to join this virtual visit: you are invited to donate
£5 to support CILIP work with library, information and knowledge professionals across the UK.
For further information, contact David Byrne: david.f.byrne@icloud.com Tel: 07850 791002
Ad Hoc Art UK
Tuesday 26th April 2022
Time: 12.30 for 1pm start.
Event: Retired Professionals Group Annual Lunch 2021
Venue: The Civil Service Club, Great Scotland Yard,
Address: The Civil Service Club, Great Scotland Yard, London SW1A 2HJ
For more details contact Ian Orton: ianorton5@gmail.com or phone 07841 577991
Monday, 30th May 2022
Time: 3.00pm (Doors open at 2.40 pm for refreshments.)
Venue: Tour of Trinity House
Address: Trinity House, Tower Hill, London EC3N 4DH
Description: This building was built in the years 1794-96 by Samuel Wyatt, Surveyor to the Corporation
and brother of the famous James; Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger laid the foundation stone on 12
September 1793, and the first Court inside the new building was on 23 May 1796. It was gutted in 1940
when a German incendiary bomb lodged in the roof of the stairwell, leaving nothing of the original building
save the Trinity Square façade. Professor (later Sir) Albert E Richardson undertook the reconstruction
of the house by using a number of photographs of the rooms, taken by Country Life magazine in 1919,
to reconstitute almost exactly the interior in its original form. Trinity House, which is Grade I listed, was
refurbished and redecorated in March 1990; the redecoration is, where possible, in keeping with the 1790s
period when the house was originally built.
No.of places: 10 - 12
Cost: £10.00 You can either pay direct on the day, or they will supply details to pay by bank transfer.
Please contact Charmaine if you would like to come on: charmainebourton11@hotmail.co.uk or
020 8395 9209
27
RPG_MAGAZINE_feb2022_FINAL.indd 27 14/02/2022 17:47You can also read
