A message from Master Clive Wilmer, together with an update on this Saturday's Companions Day, news of Beate Howitt's 2018 Whitelands Ruskin lecture & an invitation to participate in the 2018 Studio in the Woods at Ruskinland.
June 11th 2018
From Clive Wilmer
I have this weekend received two major items of news, one sad, the other happy.
Companion Howard Hull, Director of Ruskin’s house Brantwood, tells me that Companion Sally Beamish died on Friday night after nearly a decade struggling with cancer. Sally was Head Gardener and Estate Manager at Brantwood for 26 years. In that role, and with Howard’s inspiration and support, she effectively recreated Ruskin’s gardens and revealed to modern visitors his genius as a gardener and garden designer. Crucial to her work in this respect was her own creative instinct and the richness of her botanical imagination. She died peacefully and remained fully engaged to the end. On behalf of the Guild, the Master and Directors send their condolences to Sally’s brother Harry, who saw her through this last stage of her illness.
The good news is that my predecessor as Master of the Guild, Dr James S. Dearden, was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. The citation describes Jim as Founder of the Ruskin Association and states that the award is given ‘for services to culture’. Jim’s foundation of the Ruskin Association in the late 1960s marks the beginning of the Ruskin revival from which we all benefit now. A Cumbrian by birth, he studied at Bembridge School on the Isle of Wight and came under the influence of the school’s founder John Howard Whitehouse. Whitehouse’s incomparable Ruskin collection, now in the Ruskin Library in Lancaster, was then housed in the school and Jim was to be its Curator for most of his professional life. In that role he proved a patient, tireless and deeply knowledgeable help and advisor to at least two generations of Ruskin scholars. He published a great many articles and books and for more than forty years worked with great dedication as a Director of the Guild. He served as Master from 2004 to 2009. The present Master and Directors of the Guild send Jim warm congratulations on this splendid, well-deserved and very welcome honour.
The 2018 Whitelands Ruskin Lecture
On behalf of the Guild, the Master wishes to thank Companion Beate Howitt for her splendid Whitelands Ruskin Lecture, delivered at Whitelands College on May 11th. Beautifully crafted and engagingly delivered, her talk gave vivid testimony to the deep meanings embodied in Ruskin’s conception. His May Day has often been thought one of the more eccentric of his projects. Beate made it clear to us that, on the contrary, it touches on the whole purpose of the College and asks us to reflect on education, community, love of nature and the joy of life.
Like most Guild lectures, the text of Beate Howitt’s One of Ruskin’s Whitelands College May Queens: Her Personal Story is available as a Guild booklet. Priced at £6, copies may be obtained from the Director for Publications, Peter Miller, at peter.miller30@btinternet.com . Many other Guild publications can still be obtained from Peter, including the Ruskin Lecture for 2017, Louise Pullen’s Genius and Hell's Broth: A Tale of Two Artists - Frank Randal and William Hackstoun, also £6.
Companions Day this Saturday, 16th June
We are delighted that more than 25 Companions and guests are joining us at Bewdley for the 2018 Companions Day this Saturday. There are still a few places available if you are interested. The day runs from 10.30am until approximately 5pm, is free to all Companions and you are welcome to bring guests. We would need to know by the end of this Wednesday if you'd like to come but have not yet reserved your place(s).
Please write to Simon Seligman at communications@guildofstgeorge.org.uk or call him on 07736 148771. Please also let us know whether you will be coming by car or by train.
Studio in the Woods - 5th - 8th July, St. George's Farm, Wyre Forest
Studio in the Woods, the ‘making’ workshop that was established in 2006 and the inspiration for many hands-on workshops since, returns to St George's Farm this year. The workshop is open to all – architects, students and any other interested participants and some places are still available. More information here.
A gallery of previous years Studio in the Woods is here.
The workshop runs from 4.00pm on 5th July until 2.00pm on 8th July 2018.
You will need to arrange your own transport to the event. There is free camping on site. Lunch, dinner, and all materials are provided. You will be responsible for organising your own Breakfast.
Presented by the Guild in a partnership with The Heritage Lottery Fund and Wyre Community Land Trust.
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