Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Trip to Manuscript Pen Co., Highley, Shropshire
TRIP TO SHROPSHIRE 2008
On Wednesday 18th June 2008 members of several calligraphy classes came together for the first time, for a day out to Shropshire by coach. This gave the various groups of calligraphers the opportunity of mixing with other like-minded people, and “networking”.
At 10.00am one group were picked up from Erdington, and another group were picked up from Acocks Green. (Two people were unfortunately unable to come at the last minute, so there were two spare seats on the coach.)
The weather forecast was not good, and it was raining heavily when we set off, but by the time we arrived at Severn Valley Country Park, just before noon, there was only a faint drizzle in the air, and it was quite warm.
I had warned everyone that although there is a visitor centre at Severn Valley Country Park – which now has Green Flag status - where we could buy hot drinks and snacks, it would probably be a good idea to take a packed lunch with us. Once there, I was a little apprehensive that it may start to rain more heavily, so I asked the ladies behind the counter if they would mind us eating our packed lunches inside, while we drank our hot drinks, but was firmly told “No – outside only”. I thought this somewhat uncharitable, considering that this place was way out in the back of beyond, and we were the only people there! In point of fact, the drizzle finally stopped, and the sun even made a half-hearted attempt at shining, so it was quite pleasant eating out of doors – the views were really spectacular! We could see the steam trains from Severn Valley Railway in the distance, and I am told that there is a picturesque area down by the river, although none of us ventured that far.
At 1.15pm, having eaten our lunch, we boarded the coach again, and arrived at Manuscript Pen Company, Highley, at 2.00pm. Most of us have used their products, from our beginner’s days. I have been teaching calligraphy for more than fifteen years, and have always used Manuscript fountain pens myself, and have recommended them to students as a useful tool, at a pleasantly economic price, for beginning the study of any script. They are also useful for practice work, preparing roughs, and for carrying around to classes, so it was fascinating to see where these pens came from.
When we got inside, we were divided into two smaller and more manageable groups. We were given a brief outline of the Company’s history, and some technical information about the manufacture of steel pens. I was interested to discover that these nibs are not coated with anything at all, after manufacture, so it is unnecessary to pass them through a flame in order to dispel any grease, as we traditionally do.
Manuscript and D.Leonardt & Co were once part of the same Group owned by Highley Pens Ltd, but the Leonardt part of the Company (situated next door) has now been sold off, and they no longer make pens themselves, contrary to what it says on various websites.. They remain an engineering company and are employed as sub-contractors by Manuscript for certain finishing operations. Manuscript owns the D.Leonardt & Co pen nib brand name and continues to make nibs for itself and other brands.
We were all then provided with ear plugs, to protect our ears from the noise of the press shop machinery, where nibs are stamped out from large reels of steel (& brass?)
We were then shown through the other sections of the factory in sequence, such as the toolroom which was a hit with the gentlemen amongst us, quality control, packing and so on.
At the end of our visit we were each given a Manuscript catalogue, information on online links to the steel pen trade, and a packaged dip pen and holder. Wasn’t that nice! We were also given the opportunity of purchasing a range of Manuscript products (at an advantageous rate!)
We stayed at the Company longer than I had intended - I am very conscious of the fact that this is a working factory, and not a “heritage attraction” – but even so, we were back in Birmingham for 5.00pm, and so home for tea.
Manuscript welcome small parties of visitors, by prior arrangement, and can be contacted at www.calligraphy.co.uk (website currently being redesigned).
Sandra Sandilands
calligraphy tutor for Birmingham Adult Education Service
and at The Pen Room, museum of pens and writing equipment
On Wednesday 18th June 2008 members of several calligraphy classes came together for the first time, for a day out to Shropshire by coach. This gave the various groups of calligraphers the opportunity of mixing with other like-minded people, and “networking”.
At 10.00am one group were picked up from Erdington, and another group were picked up from Acocks Green. (Two people were unfortunately unable to come at the last minute, so there were two spare seats on the coach.)
The weather forecast was not good, and it was raining heavily when we set off, but by the time we arrived at Severn Valley Country Park, just before noon, there was only a faint drizzle in the air, and it was quite warm.
I had warned everyone that although there is a visitor centre at Severn Valley Country Park – which now has Green Flag status - where we could buy hot drinks and snacks, it would probably be a good idea to take a packed lunch with us. Once there, I was a little apprehensive that it may start to rain more heavily, so I asked the ladies behind the counter if they would mind us eating our packed lunches inside, while we drank our hot drinks, but was firmly told “No – outside only”. I thought this somewhat uncharitable, considering that this place was way out in the back of beyond, and we were the only people there! In point of fact, the drizzle finally stopped, and the sun even made a half-hearted attempt at shining, so it was quite pleasant eating out of doors – the views were really spectacular! We could see the steam trains from Severn Valley Railway in the distance, and I am told that there is a picturesque area down by the river, although none of us ventured that far.
At 1.15pm, having eaten our lunch, we boarded the coach again, and arrived at Manuscript Pen Company, Highley, at 2.00pm. Most of us have used their products, from our beginner’s days. I have been teaching calligraphy for more than fifteen years, and have always used Manuscript fountain pens myself, and have recommended them to students as a useful tool, at a pleasantly economic price, for beginning the study of any script. They are also useful for practice work, preparing roughs, and for carrying around to classes, so it was fascinating to see where these pens came from.
When we got inside, we were divided into two smaller and more manageable groups. We were given a brief outline of the Company’s history, and some technical information about the manufacture of steel pens. I was interested to discover that these nibs are not coated with anything at all, after manufacture, so it is unnecessary to pass them through a flame in order to dispel any grease, as we traditionally do.
Manuscript and D.Leonardt & Co were once part of the same Group owned by Highley Pens Ltd, but the Leonardt part of the Company (situated next door) has now been sold off, and they no longer make pens themselves, contrary to what it says on various websites.. They remain an engineering company and are employed as sub-contractors by Manuscript for certain finishing operations. Manuscript owns the D.Leonardt & Co pen nib brand name and continues to make nibs for itself and other brands.
We were all then provided with ear plugs, to protect our ears from the noise of the press shop machinery, where nibs are stamped out from large reels of steel (& brass?)
We were then shown through the other sections of the factory in sequence, such as the toolroom which was a hit with the gentlemen amongst us, quality control, packing and so on.
At the end of our visit we were each given a Manuscript catalogue, information on online links to the steel pen trade, and a packaged dip pen and holder. Wasn’t that nice! We were also given the opportunity of purchasing a range of Manuscript products (at an advantageous rate!)
We stayed at the Company longer than I had intended - I am very conscious of the fact that this is a working factory, and not a “heritage attraction” – but even so, we were back in Birmingham for 5.00pm, and so home for tea.
Manuscript welcome small parties of visitors, by prior arrangement, and can be contacted at www.calligraphy.co.uk (website currently being redesigned).
Sandra Sandilands
calligraphy tutor for Birmingham Adult Education Service
and at The Pen Room, museum of pens and writing equipment
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)