I don't know where to start really, I guess the first thing is to thank Stewart,Avril, and everybody in Stirlingshire that made us all so welcome and made it such a great meet.
I decided to take Åsa with me and spend a few extra days showing her places we visited as kids when we visited relatives up in that area, the views and scenery are beautiful and we arrived with sunshine which made it all the more enjoyable, I met Stewart on the monday who was putting together the final touches and you could see that it had been a mammoth task, and at times an uphill struggle with the local council.
People started arriving tuesday onwards and it was great to strat bumping into old friends and meeting people off here for the first time. Funny that the written word often fails to show a fraction of the person behind those words....no surprise that there is friction and misunderstanding at times.
The meet got underway and as always there, is so much going on and so many people you want to talk to, and ask questions, and it all seems to go so fast. John Jordan, Dave Smith, and John Studdan wére doing some glass gilding so we started there, was blown away by pictures of their work, such a great priviledge to be around them and get so much help.
Noel Weber and Cam Bortz where gilding Screw-Its letters, Mike Meyer was busy blending, Dave Kynaston was showing scripts and graining techniques, Alan Brindle was showing his skills with transparent paintover aluminium leaf, for fairground art, Tramp Warner and others, Art Shilling, Mark and others were pinstriping, Paul was doing his Heraldry, Doug was carving, there was sandblasting going on, loads of new faces to me from both sides of the pond, tattooing, plus loads more, Stewarts mum keeping us all fed, with her gang, great location great centre, nice little town, unusual hotel
I for one didn't want to leave, we got back here late last night, and straight into a load of work today.
Made some new great friends and rekindled some old friendships, it was great to see Marcus and Manfred again, meet Jill, Jeff Lang, Tim,Ash, Leeson, and the river/barge painting, and more.
Meeting Duncan from Montana was great too, as was Jack Keith and his wife, Judy, and Jonathan Gough, and more that I can't put names too just now James Kelly,Wayne Osborne.
Really good to meet up with Scott, and Damian again after Greece, I never got a picture of your trossachs panel Damian , I meant to ask if I could take it outside, but never got around to it.
I'm sure I've forgotten other names....but not faces
I have some pics here, alot of shots from inside the hall are yellow and some are blurred, as the lighting was abit like that, haven't edited so much so there are pics of surrounding area, and us on a greát but killer walk on the last day, which I ended up doing twice, as Åsa lost an earring she got from Sonny, which we found pretty close to the top, talking of Sonny it was great to seehim and Peggy again, and he left his mark on the local bookshop, which they talked about in a very warm way both on the sunday and monday after the meet.
Thanks to everybody, and thanks Dave for a great t shirt design, we had a time I wont forget for along time, it was so nice for us to get away as a couple too no kids just time for each other something that gets overlooked at times with 4 kids and a company to run.
[ May 16, 2006, 02:32 PM: Message edited by: Henry Barker ]
Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
We just in the door!
Had a great time!
Thanks everybody!
Posted by John Arnott (Member # 215) on :
WOW. . . .nice photos. . .looks like Nita and I missed a real nice meet
Posted by Wayne Osborne (Member # 4569) on :
Great Pics Henry! Hey- Just Thanks everybody for such a great time.
I must admit meeting all the faces I admire was a little scarey, but after a couple hours I felt like I'd known you all for years.-and thanks to Stewart, Avril, and team-and to you all for making me so welcome.
It kinda freaked me out getting back on the plane to come home and being surrounded by strangers again-that was a weird feeling.
It was my first meet but It sure wont be my last.
Posted by jon gough (Member # 4223) on :
Got as far as Slough..........thats me stuck in the vortex. Have to say I had a blast and look forward to the next opportunity to chew peoples ears off.
As with many others it was nice to see faces again. In no particular order Stuart,Avril & the Stirling Hillbillies,'Das Barnsiemeister', Clint Eastwood, The Deadwood Duo, Tim, Scott & Kate, Dave Smith, Mike Meyer, Dave Kyn (& @last the luuurverly Tina) Damien, Gerry et Femme.
And the new people i was lucky enough to meet ...... Kelly, 'The Tattooed Two', Henry & Asa (can't find the accent), Eric, Jill "blew my beans", Pat, Faye & Lynn (who made EVEN ME blush!!) The Meyer Mafia and not forgetting the irrepressible "Scotty 3X's"
Have now admitted myself into Detox, and had a lung reinflated after laughing too hard. I might even try to live down the "No Work Team" handle after being so inspired by some of the fantastic work I saw there. I'd also like to thank the weather for giving us the entire Scottish Summer Sun allowance in one go A really big thanks to Stuart and Avril for the hard work that must have gone into the meet and the even harder work of not throwing me out for dancing to Chas 'n' Dave, which, in most European countries is a criminal offence. A special thanks goes out to the Benedictine Monks of Buckfast Abbey..you know why!
And finally.......... next stop........ America!! My address has changed from that below so any donations should be sent to 23a Fernhill Road
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Thanks Henry, awesome pics. Wish I could have been there, looking up my McIntosh roots, but, I love the scenery pics too!
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Help- I've edited my pics and Snapfish has changed the format for sharing. How can I post these for everyone to see and/or download?
Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
What great pictures. Thanks for posting those Henry.
You guys look GREAT in those kilts!!! Especially you Sonny, that suit is SHARP!
Suelynn
Posted by Matthew Rolli (Member # 4089) on :
This just ROCKed...
I loved this gorgeous country, more than just the scenery. It's the PEOPLE! They were so welcoming, and fun to be with.
Too many things to say: You gotta go to these meets people, they'll change your life.
Heck my 10mo. old daughter now says "hia" just like the scots. And my 5yr. old still says" Wear 'e goin? and "aye"
Love you guys, kisses and cuddles from this side of the pond!
THnaks for the panel Damien! Thanks for the room Scott, Katie, and Molly!
THANKS FOR THIS MEET STEWART
I'll be back!
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
....I hope this works, It's Photobucket. And remember that I love cemeteries... Love.....Jill
Posted by Dusty Campbell (Member # 4601) on :
Waw wah. Not without a password Jill.
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
I don't know if this will work, but go to Snapfish.com and log in as signcreations@comcast.net password: Quando22 then click on Scotland album
Someone please post and let me know how it goes. I tried to add captions, but apparently that didn't work.
Regarding the meet, here's a little overview of our trip. Peggy and I flew from Atlanta along with Judy Pate and eventually arrived at the castle in Stirling where Stewart, Mike and Ayleen, Billy, Matt, Mike, and Damian picked us up and we got fitted for kilts and had the first of many pints. Then a beautiful drive past Doune Castle (where Monty Python filmed The Holy Grail) to the venue and finally, the venerable Dreadnought Hotel with the world's funkiest showers. We missed the Mexican scran that evening but met up at the Bridgend Pub later with a whole lot of Meyer clansmen and other early arrivals. I won't try to name everyone because I don't want to leave anyone out.
The next day, we climbed the Callander Crags, a mountain overlooking the town with spectacular views, (Henry, I wouldn't have climbed it twice, especially for an earring) making it back to the venue in time for lunch and seeing the many panels Jill Wesh and Alan Brindle had already completed. Lots of fine gold leaf and carved projects were under way, but due to a camera idiot-user interface problem, many of the pictures didn't come out. Glassmasters (and personal heroes) Doug Bernhardt, John Studden, Dave Smith, Pat Mackle, Noel Weber, John Jordan, Cam Bortz, and Terry Colley were all collaborating on various pieces, while Mike Chamberlin striped some custom fenders as schoolkids watched in amazement.
The venue was a school and community center complex a short and pleasant walk past the old cemetary and over the bridge. The scenery was great, as was the weather. Friday evening we cruised by bus to Loch Katrine for a boat tour and dinner in the pier restaurant. Later, a rocking Scottish band entertained us in the hotel, followed by Damian, Scott and friehds playimg and singing until the wee hours.
Earlier that day, Canadian Russ Kelley and his daughter had wandered into a small bookstore on Main Street and befriended the owners, Ian and Sally, promising to return the next day and paint their window. I jumped at the chance to be Russ' sign flunkie and met him Saturday morning to help paint his Celtic bevel-style design. Lucy Weber and my wife, Peggy, came by to check on the progress and joined Ian and Sally for lunch in their backyard English garden. It was rewarding to spread some Letterhead spirit in town.
Saturday night was the Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee), a Scottish dinner and dance. We were greeted by an army of bagpipers, then treated to a tasty traditional dinner of haggis (don't ask), neeps, tats and baps. Then it was time to DANCE - imagine clueless kilted signpainters trying to spin, weave, duck, and do-si-do to fast-paced Scottish fiddle music.
Sunday, many people headed to various destinations in the UK - Peggy and I took the train to Edinburgh, then on to London where the last few photos are taken.
It's impossible to sum up all the wonderful experiences of the weekend, but our warmest thanks go to Stewart and Avril for making this such a special meet. We definiely got TICKLED IN THE TROSSACHS.....
[ May 18, 2006, 04:14 AM: Message edited by: Sonny Franks ]
Posted by Henry Barker (Member # 174) on :
Sonny, nice pics, the earrings meant alot to her, and she means a great deal to me, and it was a nice momento from you
I just went to Tesco's and ate a couple of chocolate eclairs got some instant energy and away I went, I did have a picture of her at the top with both on, so I retraced our steps down. I thought I was abit mad but I found it....albeit near the top.
I'm still going through withdrawal symtoms, I had a really good time, and have met loads of new people, and time went so quickly that I never got to talk to others who I have admired in the past.
I could move to Scotland next week if I could make it all work I was on my way there in the 70's, got stuck in Wales and now live here!
Jon Gough I'm still laughing at the the discussion on Bollockology you and Ash had, I would love to make it Warminster, my mum lives really close.
The story about Stonehenge and the policeman was great too.....why does time go so quickly!
Really enjoyed meeting the Inspector, and Tim too..
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
Photobucket _jillbeans password: weezer Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
So many kilts- did everyone buy their own? (& what do you pay over there for a good one?)
Jill- who did the Sassy Lassie?
& Nice pix, Jill & Henry!
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
I dunno who did that one, Ian, but I really liked it. I dunno who did the baddly dunn one or the Tickle one either, but they were good too! My best part was learning to paint those narrow boat flowers that Alan did. Mine of course didn't turn out so hot, but I'm gonna practice. He also showed us a nifty dry brush blendy technique for drop shadows. I also got to stay in a 300 year old inn....my room was called "Drunkie"! It was the nicest room I've ever had, and also different for me as I have never been alone in a motel before. The men all looked fabulous in their kilts. Glad the link worked! love....Jill
Posted by jon gough (Member # 4223) on :
always room for one more guerilla signwriting oddball at the Big Green Gathering Henry. Apart from the humour oppurtunities its an eyeopener. Would be great to see you both there
"You're never too old to have a happy childhood" me, letterheads 2006
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Wonderful pics!!
I sat here and pouted over bein' unable to attend, and thought about y'all the last few days . . . I'll never get over it . . .
But I am SO glad y'all had such a fantastic meet!!
Posted by David Fisher (Member # 107) on :
Nice.
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
Photobucket signsbyjudy80 Password: preble
Click Slide Show for easy viewing. Judy
Posted by Wayne Osborne (Member # 4569) on :
HEY -More great pics! I noticed the bokshop window on the last day, I wondered why I had,nt spotted it before- I did'nt realise it had been "Tickled Up there!"
I'm ashamed to admit the Tickle, and Baddly Dunn panels were mine...
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Thanks Henry, Jill, and Judy. Great pics of a great meet. Hope we get to see more when everyone else gets home.....
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
Wow, makes me wish I was there, all that beautiful country!!!
Henry those pics of you & your wife are so nice. I can see the love between the two of you!
Jill, those grave pictures are really fascinating! I always loved to walk in cemetaries too. Why are there holes in those open graves? For the "dead people stuff" to leak out in the ground? And there were places for their heads, too!
And the guys in their kilts...neat-o!
I can hardly wait, I hope I can make the zoo!!!!
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
Wayne, I loved those! The Baddly Dunn one was my fave. I wish I would have gotten a chance to talk to you. Love.....jill PS Yup, Bobbie, they are drain holes. I may make a slideshow of all my cemetery pix (more grave photos than meet stuff!) That was at St. Andrews in Scotland.
Posted by Ellen Day (Member # 5365) on :
My....what beautiful pictures! Thanks Henry, Jill, and Judy for sharing! Love the boat named "Ellen's Isle"... Scotland is a beautiful country...we shall go there one day. Those meets are the best, aren't they????
Posted by Wayne Osborne (Member # 4569) on :
Sorry Jill-Me too!,- too many people -not enough time,I guess I would of liked to have split myself into 6 so I could be everywhere and see everything-Maybe next time eh?
Posted by Scott Telfer (Member # 3949) on :
Hey Guys
Great seeing all the old faces and meeting all the New Ones.
I know I had a great time and it sounds as though you all enjoyed it aswell. You never really appreciate your own Country until you see it from an outsiders point of view. I want to Say a big thankyou to Stewart for having the Guts to host his second meet and to Avril and all the family for putting up with us all. Callander Council were about as helpful as "£$% all.. Any Barrier they could put up to mess things up they would..This makes Stewarts achievements all the more impressive.
So as I say hope you all enjoyed yourself and that you all got home safe and sound... Hopefully see you all again soon ... except Goughie of course.... Jon I forgot to tell you your mind is twinned with a guy called Mike Contreras..you should get together sometime...Take Bollockology to an International Plateau...
Hey Hey...See you at Sonnys in Oct Hopefully..
Posted by jon gough (Member # 4223) on :
Don't want to spook you Scotty, but, I bet you've never seen me or Mike in the same room together! And looking at the picture of member 3949 I bet you never see him and Peter Kaye in the same room!
Happiness: An agreeable sensation bought on by contemplating the misery of another
Posted by stewart mclaren (Member # 2737) on :
Hello Everyone
TO ALL WHO MADE THE TICKLE ......THANK YOU.
I dont really know where to start, To the sponsors who gave very generously. SIGNCRAFT SIGN BUSINESS AMAL ONE SHOT BANANA BANNER UK SIGNBOARDS SCREW IT CAMPBELLS SHORTBREAD ROBERT HORN GROUP LETTERVILLE
To my mates for constant support, even when things dont go how you think,
Special Thanks to my Mum Rhoda. my sister Brenda, my daughter Louise, to Hairy Andy and to Billy McNeil who all done a fantastic job of keeping everyone fed and watered and everything in order, people collected and delivered,and were solid in every department. Thanks to Butler for our shirts . Thanks to the project leaders. Thanks to the bands for our entertainment , Thanks to uncle Pete for engineering all the sound a big Thanks to all the letterheads who made the journey from all corners of the globe, you are what make the meets special.
Thank You all from the bottom of my heart.
The biggest THANKYOU has to go to my Beautiful wife Avril, who for the last 18 months has had to put up with my rambling and blethering about the meet and has also had to endure all the things that go on when you are putting a meet together,
THANK YOU AVRIL ,I LOVE YOU
Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
was there a meet in Scotland?
What? It was LAST WEEKEND?
hahahah
Great Job Stewart! We knew you could do a kick A$$ job! See you in October in Georgia!!!!!
Posted by David Kynaston (Member # 4395) on :
Hey Big Stu,
Oh what a meet, I've still got my Ceilidh bruises to prove it! So good to meet up with old friends and make new.
Thanks to all others involved and especialy Avril,
Your funny Welsh friends, Dave and Tina...AKA the Kinny's.
Posted by stewart mclaren (Member # 2737) on :
Hello again , there are alawys some people who get left out by mistake, my turn to do this was yesterday, a big THANKYOU must now go to Kellie for our hdu and to A.S Handover and Wrights of Lymm for materials, gold leaf,and fantastic door prizes. Meets cant really go on without the help of our suppliers , so we all owe them a vote of thanks..
STEWART
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
Just wanted to say a special "Thank You" to Stewart & Avril for hosting such a great meet. Special thanks go out to your Mum Rhoda, your sister Brenda,your daughter Louise,Hairy Andy, and Billy McNeil for all the things they did. Great people, beautiful scenery, and Scottish hospitality can only add up to a great letterhead meet. Steve and Barb, without this site I would never had gotten to make new friends all over the world. Thanks, Judy
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Stewart, You might want to mention that Kellie is Kellie Miller from PRECISION BOARD, purveyors of quality HDU products and the prettiest rep in the biz. With your permission, here's a photo from Scotland of her and our utterly huggable host.
Posted by jon gough (Member # 4223) on :
Bliimey, not half bad! A right little cracker! Photos well but looks better in the flesh..........Kelly looks good too
"It's not an optical illusion, it just looks that way." Posted by Kellie Miller (Member # 2788) on :
haha, thanks Sonny and um, Jon. (I think, lol). It was great spending time with you.
Just got home late last night and trying to get back to this time zone.
Thanks to Stewart and Avril for such a wonderful meet and 2 weeks in Scotland! Aye, had a braw time and thanks so much for everything! :-) The trip to the west coast was so much fun and thanks also for putting up with me and letting me stay at your house. Thanks Scott T. for the trip to the airport. Please give Molly another hug for me!
It was so wonderful seeing everyone from the states as well as from the UK.. also meeting all the new faces. Jon, hope you're still wearing your 'monkey' face! hahaaha
Take care to all of my friends from around the world, you've made these past 2 weeks very memorable. Hope to see all of you soon!
Cheers, Kellie (can't forget Mike and Mark from Vital- thanks for the plane ride over.. hahhaha)
Posted by FranCisco Vargas (Member # 145) on :
Hey Sweet Lou, you lucky dog. You look like one of them Scottish movie stars with a cute over the seas spring chicken! Sorry amigo I didn't get to make it over there...
Posted by Doug Bernhardt (Member # 1568) on :
Just got home here as I spent an extra few days there visiting my son(who lives in Edinburgh)and onward and forward with my seemingly endless snoop through English(and now Scottish)Pubs. I was amazed to see in person some of the folks from this site. Sonny and Judy Pate here introduced themselves and now coming to see photos of the meet, I noticed other familiar faces of ppl I'll get to meet in the future. Stewie did do a great job and I had a blast...so many thanx again Mate. I haven't been able to see all the pictures with the exception of Henry's at the top so I hope they'll be included at some point in the Past Meet section...cheers till next time all!
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Fabulous photos! Thanks so much for posting them.
~nettie
Posted by Gavin Chachere (Member # 1443) on :
Posted by James Kelly (Member # 189) on :
Good to see you folks all got home safely. Jon, there are a lot of pubs on your way back, have you made it home yet? Posted by jon gough (Member # 4223) on :
Nice to hear you got home safely james. As for me alas no, I'm stuck in the Farnham Vortex at the moment....Its very similar to the Bermuda triangle but without the blue seas, blue skies, warm weather, dusky maidens, palms....ok, ok, its nothing like the Bermuda Triangle. Hopefully tomorrow will see my ship pull into Newquay harbour and then I'll have to open my fridge .which I'm really not looking forward to.
Work is the scourge of the drinking classes. Oscar Wilde
Posted by Scott Telfer (Member # 3949) on :
Whats in the fridge jon
Garlic ..... and Bread ...
Posted by jon gough (Member # 4223) on :
dunno Scotty but I'm sure there's a scientist at Porton Down that can give it a name. If I'm lucky though it's opened the door, let itself out and made a headlong bid for freedom.
"Hard work never killed anybody...but why take chances?"
or
How wonderful it is to do nothing....and rest afterwards
Hmmmmm? there's a theme appearing with these
Posted by Paul Jordan (Member # 1198) on :
I,m really sorry I missed getting to the meet. From all I've read and after speaking to Scott and Dad it sounds like it was a great time. Did Dad behave himself or was he up to his usual tricks. I'm sure Scott was the perfect gentleman as he is just like his father. Can't wait for them to get home so I can see more photos of the meet. Better get back to work now.
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
Paul, your dad was the same as ever. What would a meet be without him? You beat me to it on Kelly's thread about getting one of those prints for a dart board! Scott was on good behavior, he is a very dedicated young man. He did more painting than his grandpap. love....Jill
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Paul, they were both surrounded by beautiful signbabes all weekend - how do they do that, anyway?
Posted by Paul Jordan (Member # 1198) on :
Jill, thanks, what mischief did Dad get up to this time then. He's a hard act to follow. Did Dad tell you that Scott achieved 1st place in stage 3 at Technical College for 2005. I am really proud of him. Sonny, It's a burden we Jordans have to live with,
Posted by jon gough (Member # 4223) on :
Home at last!!! The local landlors had to lay 2 barmaids off while I've been away but now the regional economy is back on track. Just to say I had a great time and was good to meet new and interesting people. The hard part is still trying to explain to people back home that you can have a great time in a sports hall painting signs.If I hadn't done it I'd think i was mad too.............Maybe I am ?!
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