 |
Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms |
|
|
|
As part of their special celebrations, the library organized a 'Craft of the Book' exhibition April 13th last and the Guild was invited to join in. Along with the Guild there were others demonstrating paper making, marbling, binding and printing.
Joan Gooderham and I went along, armed with lots of paste paper bookmarks for lettering and found ourselves in the same room as the paper maker and marbler. Schools had been invited to send classes to the event, but unfortunately, only one school (which was within walking distance) was able to attend. (Government cutbacks?)
However, along came the children in orderly fashion, and were well organized in how they circulated six or so at a time at the various displays. Joan and I were very impressed by these children - they were a delight. Well behaved, so polite and obviously very interested in what was being demonstrated. Excitement at making their own sheet of paper, exclamations of surprise and delight as beautifully patterned paper was lifted up from the marbling tank and as for our table, pleasure in choosing from a great selection of paste paper bookmarks for Joan and I to "calligraph" with their name. We were kept steadily busy for quite a long time.
Something rather surprising became evident to us - and that was the choice of bookmark that most of the children made. With a variety of paste paper colours and styles, including primary coloured ones, most of the children in each Grade chose the more sophisticated blue/purple patterns.
There weren't many visitors in the evening, but one of the children came back with his mother and sister in tow. He had been so thrilled by his field trip to the demonstrations that he had insisted on mother and sister having the same experience.
Our evening finished with being treated to a chinese dinner with our charming hosts - the Librarian and a member of the Board of Trustees - a fitting end to an interesting day.
Chris Towndrow
