It was serendipitous, that speaker, Philippa Threlfall – who had studied Illustration and Ceramics at Cardiff College of Art and had begun to receive commissions for mural work – should meet and marry Cambridge-educated Historian, Kennedy Collings, working at that time for Clarks of Street.

He had become fascinated by materials and techniques, and his interest and skills worked excellently with Philippa’s in design and modelling.

They built a large studio behind their medieval house in Wells, and together, worked out new, and often original, approaches to making relief ceramic murals, mostly from commissions, as well as smaller panels, which they sold through various exhibitions.

Their shared interest in history influenced their approach to a specific design, and they always wanted their work to be sympathetic to the site, providing local interest with a sense of place and relevance to the viewer.

Philippa’s PowerPoint presentation enabled us to see the amazing works and to hear about the varying materials such as ceramic, natural stone, aggregate, pebbles, slate, and, in later years, resin. She mixes her own glazes of natural oxides which sink into the textured surface, adding richness and detail.

Some local examples are the Exploration Obelisk at Bristol’s Redcliffe Quay; the History of Bristol; map of 18th century Wells for Tesco, and the Four Seasons Obelisk at Weston-super-Mare.

Following this absorbing presentation, ‘History on the Streets; A Life of Mural Making’, now-widowed Philippa offered for sale the small decorative terracotta tiles of great intricacy, which she sells through the retail trade, with her son, via their Black Dog of Wells business.

Treasurer, Kate Pugh, issued the very attractive TG 90th anniversary diaries 2019 to those who had pre-ordered them.

Guild and Bath Federation Chairman, Joan Norman, accompanied by Secretary, Glen Hepworth, had welcomed Cllr Tim Warren, Leader of B&NES Council/Deputy Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and TG’s newly-appointed National Recruitment Officer, Sara Trayers, to speak at Federation Council on 27th September.

In the event, WECA Mayor, Tim Bowles, accompanied Tim Warren, and both briefly outlined their respective roles, the challenges ahead and answered questions. WECA is based at Temple Way, Bristol and is totally funded by central government, not via local Council Tax.

Sara Trayers had travelled from TGHQ, Birmingham, and spoke of her role and plans to increase TG membership UK-wide, an undeniably crucial challenge – we wished her well. Sara will network with Nexus Creative, TG’s Public Relations contractor which has also had its recruitment brief extended.

Members were advised that gone are the simple means of encouraging members to stand for committee in a small, unincorporated charity which is self-funding and has no assets.

The Charity Commission now requires a member to declare in writing that she is a ‘fit and proper person’ to undertake the role. This, added to the requirements of personal data holding under GDPR, will deter members and may cause Guilds to eventually close.

Members had once again responded generously to the annual Christmas Shoe Box Appeal, and Glen subsequently delivered the contributions, including donations towards transportation costs, to local organiser, Betty Pratten.

When you’re planning a celebratory anniversary meeting, who better to welcome for an afternoon of ‘Junk and 30th Birthday Capers’, than DJ and collector, Stewart Sheppard, making a welcome return.

This meeting will be held at St John’s Church Hall, BA3 2HX, 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 20th Novermber, and Glen will be pleased to answer any queries on: 01761 413528.

Joan Norman