LONDON & SOUTH REGION

The London and South region of the Society of Bookbinders was founded in 1980. The region has a membership of over 300 and its area covers London, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hampshire, Kent, South Oxfordshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight.

Early meetings were held at the London College of Printing, although now we mainly meet at the Congregational Chapel in Kelly Street, London or at Morley College in London.

There are two seasons of masterclasses that run from September to December then again from January to May. In addition to this there are two annual visits to libraries, binderies, museums, tanneries or conservation studios. Non-members are also welcome.

Directions to the Congregational Chapel in Kelly Street, Kentish Town
The following stations are within walking distance: Kentish Town (Thameslink), Camden Town (Northern Line) and Kentish Town West (London Overground).

There is no parking in Kelly Street, but there is parking at the rear of the church, reached from Kentish Town Road (through the black iron gates near the church notice board). Alternatively, parking is free to the east of Kentish Town Road on Saturdays.

REGIONAL OFFICERS
Chairman:		David Brown 38 Bowes Hill Rowlands Castle Hampshire PO9 6BP	davidwbrown@waitrose.com
Vice Chairman:		Eddie Kidby 2 Stokenchurch Place Bradwell Common Milton keynes MK13 8AW	e.c.kidby@online.rednet.co.uk
Secretary:		Arthur Green 150 Cricket Road Oxford OX4 3DL	arthurfgreen@yahoo.co.uk
Treasurer:		Ray Newberry Silverwood 8 Wildwood Close Woking SURREY GU22 8PL	ray.newberry@ntlworld.com
Regional Newsletter Editor:		Alan Parker Beechfield Waldens Road Horsell Woking GU21 4HR

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DATE	EVENT	VENUE
11.09.10 Sold Out	Doug Mitchell: Long Stitch Binding Doug has been a bookbinder for 40 years. He was a five year apprentice and has worked for the British Museum and Foreign Office Binderies. Doug is now working as a paper and book conservator at the British Library Centre for Conservation in London. He is a regular face at the SoB conferences lecturing at York in 2007. The long stitch binding was an early form of book which prevailed from the 1st to 4th centuries. This early codex binding, like the Coptic book structure, is still very popular with the modern binder. This is because there are so many methods of sewing a long stitch. For our purposes we are going to concentrate on one simple style which is the leather wrapper structure. This one day introduction will have you reproducing this early form of book structure but using modern papers to produce a decorative and pleasing non-adhesive binding. PLEASE NOTE: There is an additional materials charge of £15 per member, which can be paid on the day. If you prefer to bring your own leather the dimensions are 20mm x 48mm and the charge for paper only will be £6. Please bring the following if you can: Leather (optional) Ruler Bonefolder Scissors Pencil/rubber Needle (medium) Cutting mat Dividers Bookbinders awl Glue brush (medium) Numbers will be strictly limited to 20 for this practical workshop, and will be allocated on a first come first served basis – places will be reserved once payment is received! Members should be aware that the room being used is situated on the second floor and is only accessible via stairs.	Linnean Society of London Burlington House Piccadilly London W1J 0BF Nearest tube: Piccadilly and Green Park
09.10.10	Stephen Conway: Decorative Techniques for Paper/Leather & A Quarter Leather Dropback Box After serving a five year apprenticeship Stephen established his own business in 1985 and now runs one of the few commercial craft binderies operating in the North of England. Situated in Halifax, West Yorkshire, the bindery specializes in fine bookbinding for publishers and collectors, small to medium run limited editions for private presses, boxmaking and repair/rebind work for the antiquarian book trade. He accepts commissions for fine bindings and his bindings are to be found in private collections and institutions worldwide, including the British Library, the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington and the Lilly Library in Indiana. His most recent project, in conjunction with James and Stuart Brockman, has been the binding of ‘The Highgrove Florilegium’. The morning session, which will be similar to that given at the recent Training Seminar in Chester, will start with a discussion on how decorated papers and decorative techniques have played a large part in his design binding work over the years. Stephen will then demonstrate the making of: paste papers, salt papers, hand painted papers, craquele calf, and reconstituted leather parings. In the afternoon Stephen will show us how he uses one of the above when he makes a quarter leather dropback box. Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day.	Congregational Chapel Kelly Street Kentish Town NW1 (map)
23.10.10	Visit to Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge. Samuel Pepys bequeathed his famous diaries and unique library of 3000 books to Magdalene College in 1703 and they are housed in Second Court, an architecturally unique building. Meet at the main entrance to the College (on Magdalene Street) at 10.30, and then we can make our way over to the Pepys Library for the start of the tour at 11am.  Please note that photography is not permitted in the Pepys Library, and large bags and food or drink will need to be left in the lobby. There are lots of restaurants and cafés in Cambridge, a number just opposite Magdalene, on the other side of the river, or the other side of Magdalene Street, so after the tour we can enjoy some lunch. Numbers for this visit are limited to 20. The College does not have any parking for groups.  There is however information about public parking on the following websites: www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/transport-and-streets/car-parks/www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/around/parkandride/
30.10.10 Sold Out	Chris Rowlatt: Book Edge Marbling This one day workshop will offer a brief introduction to marbling as well as the skills and experiences needed to be able to decorate book edges with marbling using acrylic inks. A brief explanation of the aims of the course is followed by the recipes and methodology for their preparation. Students will create three samplers that will explain the methods used for creating some of the standard patterns found in traditional marbling.  The course aims to introduce the skills and give the necessary information required for successful book edge marbling. Skills covered are: size making, ink preparation, efficient print making, book edge preparation, edge dipping, and using trindles (if time). At the end of the course, the student should have some confidence in their marbling abilities as well as having achieved some decorated book edges.  The tutor will have all equipment required available e.g. trays, drying rack, combs, ink pots and dipsticks, etc and also plenty of book blocks for experimentation and practice.  Notes on marbling will be given to each participating student.  PLEASE NOTE: There is an additional materials charge of £15 per member, which should be paid to the tutor on the day Please bring:  A few sewn unrounded book blocks A laced in boards book that has been rounded and backed. Don’t be too ambitious as to size.  If you have a pair or pairs of trindles, please bring them. Apron/overall An open mind.  Numbers will be strictly limited to 16 for this practical workshop, and will be allocated on a first come first served basis – places will be reserved once payment is received! The college cafeteria will be open.	Room C32 Morley College 61 Westminster Bridge Road SE1 (map) Nearest Tube: Lambeth North
6.11.10	Chris Rowlatt: Book Edge Marbling Due to high demand Chris is hosting a second workshop along with the one scheduled for 30th October 2010. Preference for this second date will be given to those who were unable to get a place on the first date. Please note that this workshop will be held at the Congregational Chapel, Kelly Street, Kentish Town.	Congregational Chapel Kelly Street Kentish Town NW1 (map)
13.11.10 Sold Out	Arthur Green: Board Attachment Arthur first studied bookbinding at Manchester Metropolitan University where he received a BA (hons) in Graphic Design. Following five years working in various London binderies he went to Camberwell College of Art, gaining a Post Graduate Diploma in Conservation. Arthur then undertook internships at the Leather Conservation Centre and the British Library. He is currently working full time as a conservator at the Oxford Conservation Consortium. The workshop will be split into two halves. In the morning Arthur will give an overview of the problems faced by both book conservators and bookbinders when repairing loose and detached book boards. The morning’s presentation will aim to give an overview of the main tried and tested techniques that are used to re-attach boards. The focus of the presentation will be on explaining the strengths and limitations of each approach and when they are appropriate, rather than a step by step guide.  The afternoon session will consist of two short practical demonstrations of board re-attachment techniques. The first will be ‘joint tacketing’ given by Arthur, the second will be a demonstration of ‘board slotting’. This will be given by Victoria Stevens – fellow Conservator at the Oxford Conservation Consortium. Due to the space of the venue numbers for this workshop will be limited to 16 and will be allocated on a first come first served basis – places will be reserved once payment is received!	Oxford Conservation Consortium Grove Cottage St Cross Street Oxford OX1 3TX The studio can be found behind Magdalen College, on the corner where Longwall Street meets St Cross Road
04.12.10	Bring & Buy Sale The Region’s annual fundraising Bring & Buy will take place first thing. Ros Long invites everyone attending to donate something, however small, and to buy. If you won’t be there, do arrange to send a contribution via a friend. If you will be seeking a buyer for a more substantial item, please consider giving 25% of the sale price achieved to SoB. Early notice of likely contributions will help Ros ensure a wide range of goods offering something of interest to all. Please contact Ros at the following address: roslong@tiscali.co.uk Michelle Brown: A Talk by Michelle Followed by the Christmas Party Michelle Brown is Professor of Medieval Manuscript Studies at the School of Advanced Study, University of London and is Tutor to the History of the Book MA. She was for many years the Curator of Medieval and Illuminated Manuscripts at the British Library, where she remains as a part-time project officer. She was, until recently, a Lay Canon and member of Chapter at St Paul’s Cathedral. She has curated several major exhibitions, including Painted Labyrinth: the World of the Lindisfarne Gospels (British Library, 2003) and In the Beginning: Bibles before the Year 1000 (Smithsonian Inst., Washington DC, 2006-7). Michelle has lectured, published and broadcast widely on medieval manuscripts, history and Christian culture, catering for a wide range of audiences. She has delivered the Jarrow Lecture, the Sandars Lectures in Bibliography and the Toller Lecture in Anglo-Saxon Studies. Her books include The Book of Cerne: Prayer, Patronage and Power in Ninth-Century England, The Lindisfarne Gospels: Society, Spirituality and the Scribe, The Luttrell Psalter, The Holkham Bible Picture Book, Manuscripts from the Anglo-Saxon Age, A Guide to Western Historical Scripts, Understanding Illuminated Manuscripts and The Lion Companion to Christian Art. From her writings and lectures on the different aspects of Anglo-Saxon and medieval gospel texts, Michelle will be providing us with an insight into the role books played in our social history. Following the talk we will take a late buffet lunch with Christmas drinks. Numbers are not limited for this Christmas talk so all are welcome. If you are a new member or have not been to one of our meetings before then this would be a good opportunity to meet the regions diverse membership. Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day.	Congregational Chapel Kelly Street Kentish Town NW1 (map)
22.01.11	Doug Mitchell: Long Stitch Binding Due to high demand Doug is hosting a second workshop along with the one scheduled for 11th September 2010. Preference for this second date will be given to those who were not able to get a place on the first date, however there are likely to be plenty of spaces for all to attend.	Congregational Chapel Kelly Street Kentish Town NW1 (map)
29.01.11	Stuart Brockman: Gold Finishing Due to the high demand for last year’s workshop, Stuart has kindly offered to repeat the successful workshop on gold tooling he hosted earlier this year. Preference for this repeat session will be given to those who were not able to get a place at the last workshop. The day will include demonstrations of the techniques used in the bindery on both conservation work and fine bindings. There will be an opportunity to have a go yourselves. Stuart trained as a bookbinder with his father James, and now works from his bindery in Oxfordshire on fine bindings and conservation, restoration of manuscripts and fine books. PLEASE NOTE: Numbers for this workshop are strictly limited to 12 due to the size of the studio. There is an additional materials charge of £5.00 per member, which can be paid on the day. The workshop will be hosted at Stuarts Bindery in Oxfordshire. Please meet at 10:15am. Please call Stuart on 01235 831320 if you have any problems with directions.	Willow Cottage Steventon Hill Steventon Abingdon Oxon OX13 6AA
12.02.11	Colin Dunn: Calligraphy for Bookbinders Colin gained a degree in graphic design in 1988 from Middlesex Polytechnic. In 1997 his interest in calligraphy led him to begin work on a pioneering project at the University of Oxford digitising Celtic and medieval manuscripts at the Bodleian Library and several of the College Libraries. He then spent three years in Dublin working on the Irish Script On Screen project at Trinity College, Royal Irish Academy and National Library of Ireland. He founded Scriptura Ltd in 2004 and now works independently dividing his time between photography and calligraphy. The workshop will start with an introductory slideshow to present examples of historical scripts, design and layout, and codicological features from a selection of manuscripts. There will then be a demonstration of the preparation and use of traditional materials for calligraphy. If there is time there may be the opportunity for members to have a go and practice their hand!	Congregational Chapel Kelly Street Kentish Town NW1 (map)
23.02.11	Visit: Eton College Library E ton College’s historic Library contains more than 150,000 volumes, manuscripts, letters, prints and drawings from the 10th to the 21st centuries, all of national or international significance. For this midweek visit please meet at 1:30 at the entrance to Eton College for the tour which starts at 2.00. There will be arrangements to meet for lunch beforehand; those attending will be contacted with details prior to the visit. Numbers for this visit will be limited to 25.	Eton College Windsor Berkshire SL4 6DW
26.02.11	Annette Freidrich: Tooling with Foil Annette Friedrich served an apprenticeship in bookbinding and tagged on six years of study at the Fine Art University Burg Giebichenstein in Halle, Germany. After her degree she decided to move to England, worked in various binderies and set up a studio of her own. She focuses in her work on designer fine bindings which stand out for her lively use of coloured tooling.  The workshop will be a practical demonstration of tooling with foil on leather. It is a more risky business but should not daunt us. It gives us more options to work with colour and should be tackled so that we have more choices at hand. The morning session will have Annette giving an introduction/ demonstration and the afternoon will give everyone a chance to have a go. Please bring the following: A piece of board with leather adhered to one side Two or more finishing tools The college cafeteria will be open for lunch.	Room C32 Morley College 61 Westminster Bridge Road SE1 (map) Nearest Tube: Lambeth North
12.03.11	Rachel Ward-Sale: Screwpost Binders Rachel has been working as a full time bookbinder, for over 30 years. Based at Bookbinders of Lewes, in the Star Brewery Workshops she undertakes a wide range of binding and repair projects, for both trade and private clients. In 2005, she was elected a Fellow of Designer Bookbinders and her work can be found in public and private collections throughout the world. Screwpost binders are a very useful way of binding loose sheets, so that they can be removed or added to, as required. This practical workshop will start with a demonstration showing the techniques of making several different styles of screwpost binder. After lunch, there will be the opportunity to make a simple binder. If possible, students should bring the following tools with them: A large glue brush A bone folder Scissors A pencil Dividers A ruler Waste paper for gluing on AGM The AGM will be held during the lunch break of the March workshop. Election of the committee will take place. You will also get the opportunity to raise any issues. The AGM is not a lengthy process so please join us. Full details of the AGM along with nomination forms will be sent out in the December mail-out. Our Treasurer will be standing down at the end of this year so we are now actively looking for a replacement!	Congregational Chapel Kelly Street Kentish Town NW1 (map)
9.4.11	Mark Cockram: Box Making for the Bewildered Mark is a fellow of the Designer Bookbinders. He opened his first bookbinding studio in Lincoln in 1992 and Studio 5 in London in 2002 ish. Mark specialises in contemporary bookbinding and book arts and regularly teaches. The day will introduce a series of tips and tricks used in Studio 5 in the making of simple boxes. These will include the not quite 20 minute slip case and a two tray drop back box. The day is not intended for the expert, more for the learner, improver and the bewildered. There will be audience participation.	Congregational Chapel Kelly Street Kentish Town NW1 (map)
16.5.11	Visit: Winchester Cathedral Library The Morley Library contains a unique collection of books bequeathed by George Morley, Bishop of Winchester 1662-84, and houses the Winchester Bible dating from the 12th century. This is a great opportunity to visit an authentic mediaeval library. Because of the shape of the library numbers are limited to 15. Meet at the entrance to Winchester Cathedral at 1.30. There will be arrangements to meet for lunch beforehand; those attending will be contacted with details prior to the visit	Winchester Cathedral Library 1 The Close Winchester Hampshire SO23 9LS
	All Workshops run from 10.30am - 3.00pm with a half-hour break for lunch at 12.30. Both masterclasses and visits are £6 for members and £12 for non-members. If you wish to attend either a masterclass or visit, please check availability with the treasurer then send him a cheque payable to the Society of Bookbinders. Please also enclose your name, address and telephone number, plus your membership number. Tea and coffee is available throughout the day and there are local cafes and sandwich shops within a few minutes walk.
	Non-members welcome