Mollie McHugh’s Irish Restaurant and Pub.

President’s Corner

This quarter the Sunshine Chapter met in Lakeland at Mollie McHugh’s Irish Restaurant and Pub, a location really long on atmosphere and characterized by good food. It’s the sort of place you could find off to the side in Dublin well away from the tourist areas. Even the music was typical—not Irish, but at least not country western such as you hear in some Irish restaurants catering to locals. It was a bit of an adventure locating the restaurant for some of us. Can’t imagine why..

I was here just 47 years ago.

The business meeting was longer than usual. We had reports on the conventions (Grand Rapids and Ireland) as well as the situation with outsourcing to China. More on this elsewhere. I will say that Phyllis and her chapter did a great job putting on this convention, even though attendance was well below expectations. Grand Rapids is a great place to visit, particularly after the crowding and traffic of Florida. I personally think it would be a great place to live with the possible exception of the winter season.

Vicki has learned from Patricia McCauley that the next convention will be held in Belleek on April 18-21, 2007. There aren’t great many other details available at this time. However, the Carlton has completed an addition of 30 rooms, and Vicki has information on the availability of cottages for rent for the week in Belleek. Call her for details. We have at least four couples already who have expressed firm plans to attend.

Judy and Dot enjoying a laugh together.

Vicki presented the financial report. We have a bit over $1100 in the treasury at this time, and the number of dues-paying members has declined somewhat over the last couple of years to about 35. The treasury balance is a bit lower than in the past, and this may affect our ability to meet our support of the scholarship fund and provide as much support for the river cruise as we have in the past. We agreed to revisit the river cruise at the next meeting and make some decisions after we determine the outcome of the annual auction to benefit the scholarship fund.

Mickey with his Guinness. Marcy and Michelle look over a collector’s magazine.

Speaking of the auction and the next meeting, we have invited Linda Beard, BCIS Honoree and Chairperson of the Degenhardt Scholarship fund to attend our next meeting. She has accepted. She will speak to us about the activities of the scholarship fund and the help it is providing to deserving students of the arts. Interestingly, we learned at the Grand Rapids convention that there are no administrative costs charged to the scholarship donations, and Linda funds her own travel to Ireland twice annually on scholarship business. For this reason, we voted to pay for her travel to Orlando.

I raised the issue of sponsoring a convention in Orlando for 2009 with a mixed response from the group. The suggestion has been made that we survey the membership and determine if there are persons who could provide assistance in organizing such a convention before making any commitments. I will work with Vicki to conduct the survey and report to the group.

This was our annual meeting, so in accordance with the bylaws I called for nominations from the floor, there being no written nominations. There being no nominations from the floor, it was moved, seconded, and voted that Vicki and I continue in our present roles. Thank you for your confidence in us. We will try to continue to provide a meaningful program for our chapter.

Kitty has recovered after a summer illness.

The next meeting will be held on January 14 at Vicki’s home. Let’s have a good turnout for Linda and a good auction to support a cause that is dear to all Belleek collectors. Naturally, donations for auction will be appreciated. Have a happy holiday season and we’ll see you in January.

Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, MI.

The 2005 Convention

Fergus Reports

As discussed in our chapter meeting, Belleek has outsourced certain products to China. According to Fergus Cleary, this decision is based on 3 factors:

· Increased labor and energy costs in Ireland,

· Competition from giftware competitors such as Lenox and Waterford, and

· Price pressures that make Belleek non-competitive.

Products made in China will not bear the Belleek trademark, but will have a new harp mark. Other products will include the Belleek Living line and certain products labeled “By Belleek.” These will include non-ceramic products, the Bunny Baby collection, cake toppers, and dining ware. All will be designed in Ireland. Fergus also said that the Belleek formula has not been given to these outside manufacturers. The Belleek trademark will not appear on any of these foreign-made products.

Baskets will continue to be made in Belleek and will emphasize higher quality. The pottery will also make a series of limited edition products that will be numbered and dated.

Fergus reported that a new mark will be introduced in 2007 to be used on limited edition pieces for the anniversary year only. Beginning in 2008, a new mark will be used.

Reception table.

2005 Convention Report

The BCIS International Convention was held this year in Grand Rapids, Michigan and hosted by the Great Lakes Chapter. Although attendance was small, 175 attendees, compared to other Belleek conventions, the high standard set by the other chapters was upheld by this superbly organized and fast-paced meeting. In my estimation, the program was one of the better ones, highlighted by Bryan Graham’s well-researched and documented presentation on Eugene Sheerin. Another feature that seemed better than usual was the sales room. The vendors brought perhaps more unusual and rare pieces than I recall seeing before. Prices are never low for these special pieces, but they seemed very reasonable considering the quality of the offerings.

The convention opened with a reception that provided an opportunity for old friends to renew acquaintances. Angela and Phyllis Bagnall, convention coordinator and previous BCIS honoree, welcomed the guests. Unlike earlier conventions, the sales room opened at 7:00 p.m.

Vendor’s area.

Friday began with a continental breakfast followed by Bryan’s presentation on Sheerin. Bryan has a number of pieces by Sheerin in his collection and he has made a point of researching Sheerin’s career at the pottery. It was interesting to learn the source of Sheerin’s inspiration, a book of engraved views of Ireland. Since the most complete set of Sheerin’s work was sold at the recent auction of Mrs. McElroy’s collection (to a museum for a reported $100,000), this was very timely. Bryan showed a side-by-side of the illustrations and the painted scenes they inspired.

One of the presentations during the convention.

David Reynolds, chairman of the UK Collectors Group, made a presentation on the activities of his chapter. Mr. Reynolds was followed by Linda Beard who provided an update on the activities of the Richard Kennedy Degenhardt BCIS Endowment Fund. The fund is continuing to support two students per year. The endowment fund currently has reached the level of $72,000. At this level, and considering the low return on investments, the income from the fund must be supplemented by other donations to completely fund the grants. All donations from chapters go directly into the principal, and no administrative costs are charged to the endowment. Mrs. Beard makes two trips to Ireland each year in support of scholarship activities. As an aside, this is a considerable show of dedication on her part and a large investment of time and personal money in this activity that should encourage greater support from the chapters.

Paul Tubb, a member of the UK group, made a particularly fine presentation on the census reports for the town of Belleek for the periods 1901 and 1911. His analysis of the reports showed the pottery’s impact on the population of Belleek, rising in times of prosperity and falling when the pottery declined. The census also showed the occupations of the working citizens and the changes occurring when earthenware displaced Parian.

Saturday morning was devoted to an included tour of the Meijer Gardens which featured a large collection of outdoor sculpture. This was really one of the high points of the trip.

In the afternoon, Angela inducted Roland Glen- denning as honoree of the year. A collector for more than 40 years, Roland serves as the unofficial chaplain of the BCIS. We also saw

Roland Glendenning a video of the McElroy

Collection, and Fergus talked about some of the items that were available and the prices. We expect the prices to be published in the next newsletter.

Angela also announced that the 2007 Convention will be held in April rather than September. They are expecting 500 people to attend.

At the auction, the first mark Tridacna cup and saucer donated by the Sunshine Chapter raised $275 for the scholarship fund. In addition, there was a competition at which centerpieces donated by persons attending the convention were judged by the group ($.25 per vote). The centerpiece donated by Micki and Marti of our chapter was awarded first prize and sold for $110.

Mickey and Marti’s center piece.

Second prize went to a centerpiece donated by Pat and John on behalf of the chapter, resulting in a clean sweep for the Sunshiners.

John and Pat’s center piece.

This centerpiece sold for $85. All donated centerpieces were auctioned to benefit either the scholarship fund or the next convention. This was separate from the auction conducted to benefit the next convention.

In summation, this was a very fine convention. The Great Lakes Chapter and the speakers are to be congratulated for a great effort. Grand Rapids is a lovely city, and a great place to visit.

Sculpture in Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, MI

Outstanding Students Receive Richard Kennedy Degenhardt Belleek Collectors` Scholarships
10 May 2005

Photo of Marion Deane, Linda Beard and Rachel Buchanan

Degenhardt Scholars Marion Deane, left, and Rachael Buchanan, right, with Linda Beard, centre,
Chair of the Richard Kennedy Degenhardt Belleek Collectors` Scholarship Endowment Fund.

A researcher of Celtic mythology and a ceramic artist are this year’s winners of the Richard K Degenhardt Scholarships, awarded annually to outstanding students at the University of Ulster.

Marion Deane from Dublin will use her prize of £500 to publish her innovative research into Celtic mythology, including the tales of Cu Chulainn, while Rachel Buchanan from Moneymore will use her award to attend an eight day workshop in Wales conducted by one of Europe’s foremost ceramic artists, Micki Schloessingk.

Both were presented with their Richard Kennedy Degenhardt Belleek Collectors’ Scholarships at a special ceremony in Coleraine today. Presenting the awards was Mrs. Linda Beard, Chair of the Degenhardt Scholarship Endowment Fund.

She said: “This is the fourth year of these Scholarships have been presented, and I am delighted to say the enthusiasm and positive

commitment to the Scholarships from collectors all over the world has been overwhelming.”

The Scholarships are presented annually to outstanding students in the fields of ceramics and Celtic studies.

Mr Degenhardt was instrumental in establishing the Belleek Collectors’ International Society and the annual Scholarships, founded in his memory, are funded by Belleek Collectors, international Belleek Chapters, the Belleek Pottery, the Belleek Collectors’ International Society and friends and family of Mr Degenhardt.

Marion, who will be the first PhD graduate in Celtic Studies from the Magee campus in July, researched Celtic mythological tales dating from the 8^th century. She discovered that they dealt with issues that are as relevant today as then – covering topics such as the emergence of culture and the rights and obligations of a community and its leaders to pursue truth and to exercise justice in the interests of both personal and political integrity. She intends to publish her work at national and international level and to conduct further study.

Rachel spent some time as a trainee of the Crafts Council completing a pottery skills course in Kilkenny. She will graduate with a BA Hons in Fine and Applied Arts from the University’s Belfast campus this summer.

High volume produced pottery is losing its appeal to the public, but there is still a growing interest in hand-made pieces. Rachel is particularly keen on the art of wood-firing and intends to use to award to attend an eight day wood firing workshop held by Welsh potter Micki Schloessingk in August. There are only a limited number of wood fired kilns in Northern Ireland.