Minutes taken by Paul Price, of a meeting of framers at Westonburt on August 28th 1999
to discuss the organisation of a framers gathering next year
Summary
This was an extremely positive meeting at which everyone present agreed
that holding some kind of event for framers next year was a very good idea.
Discussion centred on the format and potential locations. Some kind of
informal gathering over a single weekend, possibly connected to a community
related timber frame project, was the favoured type of event.
A 'driving committee' of volunteers from those present was set the task of
driving the ideas for an event forward guided by the discussion at this
meeting and feedback from all framers.
Notes
These minutes are only of a general nature outlining some of the main
points raised for the purposes of further discussion among all framers
whether present at the meeting or not. Apologies for any and all
omissions, please correct this by writing a note. Apologies also to all
framers who did not get to the meeting (see you next time!) but please do
make your views and suggestions known. (Best of all offer some time,
skills or contacts to make this meeting happen)
For now please forward all comments to the driving commitee care of Rupert
Newman to
57 Hamilton Road,, Southville, Bristol, BS3 1NZ
or by e-mail to rupert@westwindoak.com
Introductions
Henry Russell, Stefane Roux, Joel Hendry, David Murray, Alan Ritchie,
Justin Rose, James Lovekin, Tony Taylor, Nick Price, Tim Crump, Bill Keir,
Rob Wight, Dan Franklin, Hedge(James Ross), Les Oxborough, Jim Blackburn,
Martin Silburn, John Russell, Paul Slemmings, Paul Russell, Jake Keen, Pete
Eyles, Jane Warnell, Lui Rocca, Charley Brentnall, Phil Bonny, Isobel
Barnden, Piers Sweetingham, Rupert Newman, Jane Welsh,, Stuart Voarden,
John Winterbottom, Diana Hall, James Chitty, Stuart Voaden, Richard de
Trey-White, Paul Price, Patrick Head, James Godden
1994 Meeting
Notes were read from a meeting held in 1994, a list of who was there and
the general points discussed. At that time a steering group was directed
to forward ideas but little happened. Also hung up on the idea of creating
a formal grouping.
Question for todays meeting
Do the people here today agree that it is a good idea to have some sort of
meeting next year? The answer to this question was overwhelmingly yes.
What format should the meeting take? Where should it be held? When should
it be held? The remainder of the meeting discussed ideas relating to these
questions as outlined below.
Meeting format
Meeting could be set up to coincide with another event such as a Wood Fair,
or the Conservation Show at Singleton or a similar event.
"Trade show" exhibition as well as framers get together
Wood fairs at Westonburt and in Sussex
Singleton and Avoncroft museums
would promote timber framing by having displays
Meeting could be an essentially private framers event for individual
framers and their families to come to
relatively easy to organise, only need a date, a location and camping
facilities
one present offered his farm near Stroud as a location
Meeting could be wholly to do with making a building together
probably a publicly visible structure
would need detailed arranging by one person or company to coordinating with
others . Funding etc
best as done in North America as a "public good" community project eg
Habitat for Humanity houses, Guelph city bridge etc
needs to be do-able/finishable by a large number of people within three days
General discussion
Event should be as inclusive as possible of all people framing or
interested in framing.
Base of involved individuals to organise event rather than partisan companies.
Companies could organise a trade show. A formal organisation of framers at
this would get in the way of getting together.
A conference probably too ambitious but any meeting could have seminars and
workshops made by attendees
Have a big party , a "gathering" rather than a conference, with families
and stuff for them as well as framing stuff.
Timber Framers Guild of North America conference are well organised with
many themed seminars, slide shows of work, and often with a project and
several workshops plus parties. Expensive ie about £200 to attend but very
good. Last three days generally.
Put our money where our mouth is and collect a tenner from all present to
fund the event (not done!). A charge would certainly be needed to show
intent and pay for location fees etc.
Would need cheap accommodation preferably camping at or near event location
when? a single weekend in spring or summer
Driving Committee
It was decided to have "driving committee to take the ideas of this meeting
forward.
The volunteers for this committee were as follows: Justin Rose, Tim Crump,
Rupert, Charlie, Jim Blackburn John Winterbottom, Pierre Louis Isobel
Barnden
Communication
All at this meeting were invited to write down their name and address for
publication to all other attendees
the minutes would be published for future discussion by those present and
other framers who were not present
for now there is the existing web site for posting public comments in the
"UK Today" section of Ask the experts at
www.tfg.orgall comments and feedback will be made to the driving committee, central
address to be decided. Hopefully a central address will include e-mail as
well as regular mail.
For now the address will be as given above.
le dea-mhéin
Paul Price
[This message has been edited by Bill Keir (edited 11-08-99).]
[This message has been edited by Bill Keir (edited 11-08-99).]
