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Hi everyone, I have just posted this message on SignPig.com and would really appreciate your feedback. I am considering planning a Letterhead Meet next year here in Salisbury, UK and have called it (roughing out logo's already in my ed!) The LetterHenge Solstice. I am planning to tie it in with a visit to the Summer Solstice at the incredible Stone Henge as it is now opened to the public between June 20th at 10pm until 9am the following day to witness the Solstice.
Organic Image moved to Salisbury over 2 years ago and has had plans for all this period to develop a Grade II listed barn here on the farm into a workshop. Plans are already in place to make this happen and also, we have other large barns and buildings on the farm where annual events and parties are hosted amidst hay stacks!
I had some fantastic and very encouraging feedback whils doing demmos at this years Sign UK and talked to lots of folks who were interested in the traditional ways of sign painting, lettering and also, airbushing. My background is sign painting, murals and poster writing, 2 of my uncles were signwriters/coach painters and I lettered my first bus at 14! Things have come full circle for me now as I see lots of customers more and more interested in paint rather than ink and I have dreamed of doing this for most of my life. With the classes I now teach it has become a reality to immerse myself full time into painting and I think an event like this is a natural progression for me as I absolutely love hosting the classes and workshops, it's a blast!
The farm, where I live and work, boasts a 17th Century B&B oned by Mr & Mrs Fergie-Woods who are the most delightful people you could meet. We hav a small cottage on the land here but the main farmhouse has several rooms (the land here is mentioned in the Doomsday Book!) and the village of Downton is only 2 miles away with award-winning food, pubs and more bed and breakfast accomodation. Most of my students for airbrsh classes stay here when the farm is full and the chaps at the Kings Arms and the Wooden Spoon (pubs actually next door to each other! ) have been doing a first class job of looking after students for the past year, the feedback is excellent.
Salisbury is only 5 mins away by car and has the incredible architecture and of course, the beautiful spire and Stone Henge is only 25 mins drive.
Like I said, if I start planning now and talking to people then we could plan it for next summer and it would be fantastic fun I'm sure. We also have contacts here on the farm who keep horses who are events organisers so doing this to 100% is not an issue. On the lawn of he main house many gala tents and marquees have hosted all types of events from parties, weddings to church services and live choirs!
. . .what do you all think???
It woul be fantastic to get some early feedback so I can start planning for real. It is my intention to host the event as I think it is the right thing to do and if any of you have read The ArtistsWay by Julia Cameron then you will know, this just feels right so I am following the path
Looking forward to hearing from you . . . . .
Beej
[ May 24, 2006, 10:58 AM: Message edited by: Brian Curtis ]
-------------------- Beej Curtis Organic Image Cornwall UK Posts: 25 | From: Cornwall - UK | Registered: Aug 2003
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One line of my family came from the Salsbury area- What a fantastic opportunity! Please keep us posted! Cat
-------------------- Catharine C. Kennedy CCK Graphics 1511 Route 28 Chatham Center, NY 12184 cck1620@taconic.net "Look at me, Look at me, Look at me now! I't's fun to have fun, But you have to know how!" Posts: 2173 | From: downtown Chatham Center, NY | Registered: Feb 2004
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Dammit Beej, I thought this trip two weeks ago was my last time to cross the pond. Now you have me thinking. I believe that Stewart's meet has re-lit the UK Letterhead fire, and I think with some help you could pull a meet off just fine. The initial "good feeling" about hosting can often wear down into exhaustion without a few trusted reliable helpers, so make sure to recruit some. It was nice to meet you at Sign UK, but I wish we would have had a proper chat. You are an amazingly talented guy, and could give Ryan Young a run for his money on bike helmets any day, and probably put Lavallee into a cold sweat too. Best of luck...I'm sure James will be of help! love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I certainly will do all that I can to help. It's great that Beej has taken the bull by the horns and taken this on, and the timing is great with so much interest coming from the wonderful meet that Stewart hosted for us at Callandar.
-------------------- James Kelly Ireland Posts: 43 | From: N. Ireland | Registered: Dec 1998
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Hey Jill, I wish we had more time to chat properly too! I was stuck on that damn stand for 3 solid days, good job the toilet was nearby! You will have to definately come back then, and thanks for the ompliments on my work, very much appreciated
I have just come off the phone with Stuart MClaren who has been a great help with tons of advice . . . but I'm still planning on doing it though!
I really do wish I had gone North now instead of being in Birmingham but hey-ho! I missed the Greek do . . I missed Melliards do in Poole 2 yrs ago AND then the following year . . at least if I host my own I get to actually go and meet everyone lol!
I'd like some feedback from our international friends because like I said earlier, planning it around the Solstice means 20-21 June time but Stuart advises later in the year due to travelling costs etc. as this is peak travel time and I never thought of that. Any advice on this would be welcome, I planned for the Solstice cos a)what another great reason to visit Salisbury and b) it makes a great title!
It doesn't HAVE to be then but it still can be, I will try to mould it around needs of others and with plenty of forewarning, I'm hoping that a good solid plan in the next month will come to fruition.
Looking forward to hearing more from you guys soon and thanks again. Also a big thanks to James Kelly who has really helped get the ball rolling, cheers bud
Check back regularly Catherine, I'll kee you posted here. Sounds like another great reason to come
Beej
-------------------- Beej Curtis Organic Image Cornwall UK Posts: 25 | From: Cornwall - UK | Registered: Aug 2003
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The Moose Jaw meet in Canada is set for July 4-8- only two weeks later, so that would make it awfully tight (last time I went for the Solstice, it rained anyway...!) Cat
-------------------- Catharine C. Kennedy CCK Graphics 1511 Route 28 Chatham Center, NY 12184 cck1620@taconic.net "Look at me, Look at me, Look at me now! I't's fun to have fun, But you have to know how!" Posts: 2173 | From: downtown Chatham Center, NY | Registered: Feb 2004
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I was in Salisbury in early August (while I was over for the Cork meet) The weather was absolutely gorgeous...remember the heat wave of 2003? I think it would be better to avoid the druids, pagans and others who will gather there in June for the Solstice. They might not "get" us Heads. Stonehenge is very cool as well....on TV it looks so colossal. In person it is a humble structure all the more interesting when you try to fathom just who put it there and how. ....isn't it kind of hard to pinstripe on rocks? love....jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Stefanie Fox: I am starting to think that the real reason Letterheads work Monday-Friday is to get funds to go to meets... :-)
Why, is there another reason?
-------------------- James Kelly Ireland Posts: 43 | From: N. Ireland | Registered: Dec 1998
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Woo hooo! I think I just talked my wife into going! That'll make for a nice 5th aniversary trip.
After explaining the whole thing to Sara, she got all skittish and said, "They won't make me paint will they?
To which I replied, "Probably someone will, yeah."
"But I can't letter!"
"So?"
"They'll make fun of me!"
"Not for painting they won't. Besides, you make fun of me every day, it's payback. Plus, I haven't lettered anything by hand in like 8 years. You think I'm any good?"
"Well, how much will it cost?"
"I dunno. Look, it'll make your mom all sorts of jealous."
That last bit hooked the deal
So anyhow, keep us posted Beej. I can't friggin wait.
-------------------- Jon Androsky Posts: 438 | From: Williamsport, PA | Registered: Mar 2002
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Just a very quick update: I have been approached already by Wrights of Lymme who have offered sponsorship matching what they offered in Callendar! That is awesome and THANK YOU to Clive in Cheshire for thet call yesterday.
It may be that Jill had a very good point though . . we can still all wear Druids costumes and big beardies (as suggested by Cluive from Wrights of Lymme yesterday and it gets my vote!) but, it may be wise to make it early September so travelling costs are much lower and we can still organise a trip to the Stones but won't have to queue for an hour to get in!
I'll keep you all posted and thanks again..
Beej
-------------------- Beej Curtis Organic Image Cornwall UK Posts: 25 | From: Cornwall - UK | Registered: Aug 2003
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![[Wink]](wink.gif)
) have been doing a first class job of looking after students for the past year, the feedback is excellent.
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