York National Book Fair

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Zoe Finlay

I went to the York National Book Fair yesterday, the largest second hand and antiquarian book fair in Europe. Despite my arrival on the second day of this two-day PFA event, there were still plenty of customers around and many beautiful maps, prints, printed books and manuscripts.

There were so many highlights it would be impossible to mention them all; however a few which  stood out for me were several huge, bound Parisienne manuscripts and a tiny vellum-bound manuscript with the most delicate painting of a courting couple on the cover. A third, not a book at all, was an intricate and beautiful woodblock engraving which was attributed to Thomas Bewick but with an added note that it was more likely to be from his studio. Handling the tiny, intricately detailed engraving of two birds, carved into a small piece of boxwood less than an inch and a half square was a real privilege.

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Sony develop a paper-powered battery

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Zoe Finlay

I’ve just come across this (admittedly rather old) news article which I think is really quite exciting. Sony  have developed a new prototype paper-powered battery which could allow customers to use their products (including mobile phones) by using waste paper-powered batteries. Shredded paper is turned into sugar using enzymatic processing and the resulting sugars then become a source of fuel.

The full article can be read here:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16288107

How great would that be, no more batteries leaking out corrosive chemicals on landfill waste sites.

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The National Family History Fair comes to Newcastle

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Zoe Finlay

The National Family History Fair on Saturday 08th September should give you lots of very useful help if you are trying to trace your family history. Packed full of key exhibitors, there are also talks and seminars plus advice on hand.

The fair will be  held at Newcastle Central Premier Inn, New Bridge Street West, Newcastle, NE1 8BS, 10:00am – 4:00pm. Admission is £3.

Good luck!

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Cultural Event in Newcastle: NE Generation Collective Showcase

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Zoe Finlay

The North East Generation Collective Showcase celebrates young people’s creativity across the North East next month on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September, 12-7pm at Stephenson Works.

‘The Collective Showcase celebrates three years of NE-Generation championing meaningful cultural opportunities for young people in the North East. The Stephenson Works and Doves Yard will be transformed for the weekend with a diverse range of creative happenings taking over the old industrial site.

The event brings together all 15 projects in a vibrant mix of performances and exhibitions representing the creative talent of local young people in collaboration with cultural organisations and practitioners.

Live Music ~ Short Films ~ Circus Performances ~ Visual Art ~ Dance ~ Photography ~ Audio Visual Installations ~ Book Sculpture ~ Dry Stone Walling ~ Textiles ~ Interactive Heritage Exhibitions ~ A Giant Indoor Tree ~ An ‘Exploded’ Shed… oh and a couple of sheep!’

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York Conservation Consortium

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Zoe Finlay

I’ve just joined the York Conservation Consortium which has an incredible wealth of conservators of all types of specialisms.

It’s great to think that there are so many craftsmen and women dedicated to preserving the history of one ancient and beautiful city and its surrounding areas. I’ll look forward to hopefully attending events which highlight the conservation and restoration of some of the oldest features of York, and also to meeting some of the other conservators there.

View from York Minster, looking out over the city

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Woman ruins Spanish fresco in DIY restoration attempt

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Zoe Finlay

You may have seen this article in the news recently, where a DIY amateur restorer decided to take it upon herself to restore a 120 year old fresco in her local church with rather disastrous results.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/offbeat/story/2012/08/22/fresco-ruined-woman.html

What may appear to be a simple treatment to the eyes of an untrained onlooker can often be far more complex than is realised. In addition to any practical work carried out, conservation takes into account the chemistry of the materials old and new and the ethics of the planned action before treatment is begun.

I hope that the painting can be removed but the wall, the old and new paint and the method of application will all have to be taken into account. Whatever occurs, unfortunately the painting will never be exactly as it was.

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York National Book Fair – 14th & 15th September 2012

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Zoe Finlay

I booked my train tickets today to visit the York National Book Fair on Friday 14th September and Saturday 15th September.

It’s Europe’s largest second hand and antiquarian book fairand is a must for any avid collector and book lover. There will be 215 booksellers from all around the country and if you have a special interest and find it difficult to track down that certain book that you’ve been struggling to find, it’s the place to be.

If you register beforehand you will save yourself the £2 entry fee and a free shuttle bus takes you from York railway station every 20 minutes.

What’s not to love? Book your train tickets…quick, before the prices go up again….!

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Let’s go fly a kite…

Posted on August 18, 2012 by Zoe Finlay

I made this paper kite for my husband as a joke present for our first (paper) wedding anniversary recently. Here’s a photo of me having a shot at flying it today, on a beautiful, hot, sunny Saturday in Seaton Sluice, (how rarely those words are found in the same sentence)!

Kite flying at Seaton Sluice

I made it out of a long-fibred Japanese paper. Although it isn’t exactly the type a conservator would use to mend paper it is very similar. The strength of these fibres have leant themselves to all sorts of paper items such as hot air balloons, clothes and carpet which have withstood remarkable forces.

Unfortunately, the strength of the wooden structure I made wasn’t quite so reliable!

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Tynemouth Second Hand and Antiquarian Book Market

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Zoe Finlay

The next Tynemouth Second hand and Antiquarian book market will take place on Sunday 19th August, 10-4 pm.  I will be sharing my stall with Polly Bird, a local book binder who has trained under master bookbinder Derek Bradford of the Lit and Phil, Newcastle upon Tyne.

As usual the market will take place within the now fully restored, 130 year old metro station which is worth coming along to see on its own. But don’t just take my opinion, even the Guardian recently praised the beautiful station and the success of its restoration. and Princess Anne also popped by for a Royal visit.

What the article doesn’t mention is that devoted locals and the Friends of Tynemouth Station group managed to pluck it from the hands of developers who wanted to replace the rusting Victorian structure with a large supermarket.  The station not only now stands as a listed building but also as a testament to what a community can achieve.

Tynemouth station – now fully restored

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Letters of Note

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Zoe Finlay

I recently came across this fantastic website which has kept me fascinated for ages and must be the best website I have seen for a long time. It’s a huge resource of digitised and/or transcribed letters which allows you to read first-hand some of the most relevant and interesting letters, faxes and speeches of our times.

Some examples include correspondence from figures such as Keith Richards, Albert Einstein, Neil Armstrong,  Francis Ford Coppola, John Steinbeck, Gene Wilder, Kurt Vonnegut, Ronald Reagan and Bob Dylan. It’s a brilliant website full of humour and emotion.

I could go on but I won’t. Instead, click the ‘Random Letter’ link and settle down with a very big cup of tea.  Letters of Note

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