Kirkby on Bain and Roughton Cameo Club
January 2024
Jill Starling - You Hue Colour & Style Consultant
From Jill Russell
Hardy Cameo members braved a cold January night to listen to Jill Starling, You Hue, Colour and Style Consultant.
Jill began by telling us a bit about herself and her history. She explained she was just about to end a 20 year stint in the Royal Air Force and decided to get trained by “Colour me Beautiful” to start a new career. She has a love of fashion and style so is well suited to talk on these issues. She also feels strongly that she needs to counteract the negative effects the fashion industry can have on nature, with clothing waste and harmful chemicals. She believes that sustainability is so important and advocates buying second hand clothes.
Jill then went on to explain to us about colour analysis whichis a way of determining the best colours in clothing for individuals which best suits their complexion, half science, half artistic flair. She told us that a certain Albert Munsell was the first person to come up with colour theory in 1905. Colour affects you all the time and how you feel about yourself. She
said that it is best to invest in a piece that makes you feel good about yourself and what will look good on you, not what the market suggests and which makes you buy a garment you may never wear twice!
The features to enable you to choose the right clothes are eye colour, hair colour and your complexion ie tonal system. Jill concentrates on eye and hair colour mostly when she does her consultations. She aims to help you shop wisely and build a better wardrobe, making it more
exciting. She concentrates on colour above the waist and says it should not be so strong as to take over your looks. Depth, from dark to light, Tone, from warm to cool and Clarity, clear from pastel shade to primary. She then explained to us the six main types and the hair colour associated with each, although people often are mixtures of these:
Cools: Grey/white hair. Softs: Blended features brown hair. Lights: Blondes.
Clears: Dark hair, blue eyes. Warms: Red Hair. Deeps: Dark Hair and eyes.
Jill went on to talk about colours to avoid such as stark black or white and choose a variety of reds. Universal colours which suit all types are purple and teal. Question posed: Are you warm or cool skin tone? Jill then invited certain members to be practically assessed and laid coloured bibs on each person to demonstrate how colour helped bring out their features or washed them out! She finished by a lipstick masterclass and invited two members to trial out lipsticks which might suit them more than they might necessarily have normally chosen.
Finishing off her very informative talk we had a question and answer session and interesting discussion from recent trends for over blacking of eyebrows, the over influence of the media on youngsters and affecting mental health to Trump and the Royal Family!
Coffee, Tea and biscuits followed with an offering of Haggis, neeps, tates and whisky sauce made by Louise our Chair to celebrate Burns Night. Very tasty! 50/50 draw and raffle held.
Next meeting: Tuesday 20th February 7.30pm Roughton Hall.
Rachel - Lincoln Cathedral Stone Mason
New members welcome.
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Reporter Jill Russell
February 2024
Rachel Wragg - The Life of a Cathedral Mason
From Jill Russell
Rachael came to give us a talk on her life as part of a team of five stonemasons who work on Lincoln Cathedral. She is very proud to be one of the few female stonemasons and the only one at Lincoln. She was keen to let us know about the history of the craft and what the modern day stonemasons get up to. Her obvious enthusiasm for the job shined through from the start and we realised early on that we were in for a treat of a talk!
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From the time of William the Conqueror he set up buildings needing good locations,
available materials, wood as well as stone and good builders able to design and construct
these buildings. Lincoln Cathedral is built from Oolithic limestone laid down one to one and a half million years ago. This is now running out and they have to get larger stones from France.
Rachael then went on to tell us about the life of a Mediaeval Master Mason. These people were highly paid and it was a prestigious job. They had to be multi skilled as architects, designers, builders, structural engineers able to work in stone, wood, glass, lead and mortar. It would have been a transient life travelling from job to job, taking their families with them.
I have personal knowledge of this as my great grandfather was from a long line of masons living near Lands End in Cornwall. At the end of the 19 Century he temporarily moved the family to South Wales where my grandmother was born. He also moved the family later to South Africa for work. This journeyman practice still continues today in Germany and France where gangs of workers move where they are needed.
The first thing to be built on sites was the Mason’s Lodge which was the site office, made out of stone, which could be locked to protect the precious drawings and tools. It basically became the training centre for that particular project and came to be a mysterious building always dismantled at the end of a job, hence the Masonic Lodges of the organisation today. Setting out the plans is the vital start to any build. Stones are set out in full size and designs scratched onto a plaster floor which become the training floor. Templates used made mostly out of wood. York Minster’s original tracing floor still can be seen. Now all masons are expected to set out and carve although before there were different specialisms. Banker masons used wooden mallets, chisels and axes and Rachael told us little has changed today with these tools and early masons would still be able to join in on builds today.
Work done all by hand to build up from 2D to 3D shapes and even 10 per cent of mediaeval women got involved! The only
difference is the tungsten tips to tools these days. These Banker masons used Masons’ Marks which were unique marks put on stones to identify the builder as they were paid by the stone. Again, I have an especial interest in this as my stonemason ancestors had a family name of Marks! I wondered whether they got the name from their profession? Rachael couldn’t answer that. Sculptor/Carvers did all the delicate work. Mortar Mixers was a specialist job, burning lime a bit like a scientist. The hotlime is made from quicklime and makes the best mortar. Cement started to be used in the 1800’s but proved not good for the
stone as it did not allow the stone to breathe. Rachael told us this is why so much restoration needs to be done to rectify the damage done by cement and hotlime mortar is now widely used. Masons today are expected to mix their own mortar the traditional way.
Fixers or rough masons would put the stones on the building ie the structure using plumb bobs and wooden levels. They used to use windlasses, giant wheels to hoist the stones up. Salisbury cathedral still has its giant 14 th century windlass up under the eaves where people would climb in to turn it like a big hamster wheel! Today Rachael says they use air powered
hoists. She showed us her set of Lewis Pins which are still used today to lift up large blocks of up to 2 tons or more. Modern day fixing is mostly replacing stones due to shifting and erosion. The art is matching the new stones with the old.
Rachael then went on to tell us about a recent project in which she was involved. In 2021,the pinnacle originally built in 14 th century by Alexander the Magnificent, on the left of the North East Transept, needed to be completely replaced. 20 per cent of the original stone was reused but 80 per cent new stone. As it was French stone it appears whiter but will blend in in time. The pinnacle looks small from below but is as high as a house and it had to be raised three and a half storeys high! Very manual work to dismantle it, hoisting rubble down, taking care to keep good stone. Also, they had to be aware of any archaeology and
they did find some discarded decorative carving used as infill and a mediaeval putlog. A putlog was where a beam had been placed for stones to be placed round which then rotted and left a trench.
On starting the pinnacle build, the first stones were of the most importance and then marks made needing to be followed on subsequent layers. No two stones were the same. The base were plain blocks called ashlars. She said it seemed like slow going as the pinnacle progressed and it was filled with rubble as it went up. All that rubble which had been brought down had to be taken back up again. She agreed the work kept her fit! The work got quicker as the pinnacle got narrower. Topping Out is when the top stones are filled with molten lead. Rachael was particularly proud that she was allowed to finish off the top piece
and also completed her three year apprenticeship at the same time. Overall the pinnacle project took six months.
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We then had a question and answer session after a really interesting talk. She bemoans the fact that schools don’t seem to encourage students to look at being a stonemason as a career and she only became one after answering an advert in a paper! She obviously loves her work and would wish to be part of a new build if the chance came up.
We then had refreshments, tea/coffee and lovely cake provided by our Chair, Louise. The 50/50 draw and raffle were held. Louise then talked about forthcoming events such as the April Craft Fair and visit to the Petwood Hotel. She also asked for questions to be emailed to her for the Gardeners’ Question Time night. She also asked for suggestions for our Charity this year and also if anyone would like to join our committee.
Next meeting: Tuesday 19th March 7.30pm Roughton Hall.
Sue Lumb - Cathsworth Ghosts and AGM with cake.
New members welcome.
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Reporter Jill Russell
May 2024
Baroness of Bolsover - The Afternoon Tea Lady
From Jill Russell
We arrived at the hall to find the tables set out in a horse shoe round the outside of the
room, chairs on the outer side with a cup, saucer and napkin in front of each of us. At the top end stood a small table set out with all items necessary for afternoon tea, but no sign of our speaker?
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Suddenly Baroness Bolsover appeared through the door with plenty of flourish and took us all by surprise! She was dressed head to toe as a Victorian lady, which included full dress of the time and the obligatory hat. She regaled us with exuberance and ‘over the top’ gesticulations to engage our attention and keep us on our toes. No-one could hide from her questioning manner and full-on repartee, she was acting totally in character! What a performance which woke us all up and kept us enthralled about what would happen next?
She began by introducing herself as the Baroness of Bolsover and her family background and that in 1880 she had been given the title by Queen Victoria. She was here to inform us all about Afternoon Tea etiquette and how to act in the most refined manner of the time, the do’s and don’ts of society living! She told us it was Anna, 7 th Duchess of Bedford, who first came up with the idea of tea in the afternoon and made it fashionable. She used to get hungry in between meals and started having a mid-afternoon snack. She then started inviting friends and by the 1860’s tea parties offering tea, coffee, non-alcoholic punch and snacks had become all the rage.
We then began a hands-on practical experience and Baroness Bolsover went through all the etiquette practice we needed to know, making sure we all complied, or she would come after us!
1. Posture – sitting up straight, elbows on the table a no-no. No crossed arms, fingers
linked in lap in front of you.
2. Using the napkin correctly – find corner and flick out, fold in half and hold at top with
two fingers. Place fold nearest the body. Dab the mouth with same spot each time and leave servants to pick up dropped ones. Likewise, do not pick your dropped cutlery! Baroness Bolsover was lavish with praise and conversed with individuals who caught her eye!
3. As tables were often low in those times need to lift saucer with left hand and cup with right. Left handers NOT allowed in those days. Cup to be picked up with thumb and second finger, third finger below under ridge. Little fingers were NOT raised, a popular misconception, but tucked in. Sip drink delicately with affectation.
Hostesses would make up their own loose leaf tea blend, using an often locked tea caddy, as tea was so expensive. Tea from Joseph Tetley, wholesale tea dealer or Yorkshire tea from Taylor’s of Harrogate, names we still know today.
4. Question asked of us – milk in first or tea first? 50/50 our answers. Etiquette demands milk goes in second to ensure drinker has their preferred dilution.
5. How to stir sugar – certainly NOT stirred round and round but backwards and forwards as sugar lumps hard to dissolve.
Hostesses ran several tea parties in a day up to about 7. Guests would need to be invited
by calling cards dropped off the week before with date, place and time. Stay at least 30
minutes at each party, between 3.00pm and 7.00pm. Guests tried not to require a toilet by only sipping a bit and pouring excess drink into a slop bowl provided. Apparently if any lady got desperate she would need to delicately ask: ‘May I use the ladies’ room please?’.
6. Food provided would have been minimal just a few nibbles to be nibbled daintily
accordingly. First finger and thumb to hold over finger sandwiches without crusts:
Nibble, put it down, pick up, nibble put it down. This would give time and
opportunity for the all-important gossip! Sweet would follow: Victoria Jam sponge
created at this time, Battenburg, scones and Garibaldi biscuits, named after their
namesake in 1862 for Italian unification. Scones would be opened with thumb and
two fingers. Jam or cream on first? They had no cream then so only a question for us
today. Most people said jam first. NEVER dunk biscuits!
She then took questions from the floor. Were men invited? Yes they were, as long as they followed certain conditions. They needed wealth, to be single and have a title so they were suitable for match making. What was the dress code? Men wore day suits and had to remove their hats, unlike the ladies who kept their hats on, but gloves off. Baroness Bolsover was dressed as for 1893 when daywear for ladies used to be layers of silks over corsets with a bit of padding at the back. Gone the crinoline and bustle. Hats were upturned flower pot shape. They would have their reticule to hold their fan and sundry items. Only the hostess was allowed to wear lighter, loose flowing clothes and no hat or corset, which is why ladies loved holding these tea parties. These wrap over tea gowns were the fore runners of modern day dressing gowns.
Were people invited or just by calling cards? For very large gatherings invites were
sent out.
We thanked Baroness Bolsover very much for such a stimulating and informative talk. Our Chair asked her to give a prize to the best hat worn by one of our number and she gave it to Rose Kimberley.
We then tucked into tea and coffee plus scones made by our Chair, Louise, with jam and cream. They were delicious and a fitting end to such an entertaining evening!
We were reminded to bring money next meeting for the Petwood afternoon tea visit in July.
Next meeting: Tuesday 18th June 7.30pm Roughton Hall.
Rev Charles - Horncastle Church.
New members welcome.
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Reporter Jill Russell
September 2024
Mark Lane - Gardeners Question Time
From Jill Russell
We were incredibly fortunate to get Mark Lane to come to our group as he is a famous TV presenter, landscape/garden designer, columnist, radio broadcaster and writer. It was great that he could find time in his busy schedule to spend a long time chatting with us, sharing his expertise, proving what an all round good guy he is.
He began by telling us about his life and his experiences. He remembers his grandfather introducing him to his garden and this love of nature, instilled in him as a child, has never left him. As a student he dabbled in growing tomatoes. He acquired his first house at 30 and then moved to Kent where he really began his gardening. He now lives in Lincolnshire.
In 2000 he had a bad car crash which changed his life completely. Becoming disabled and in a wheelchair he had to rethink his life. While recuperating, his therapist took him out into the garden and just being outside helped him forget all the pain and in the next 12 months he took courses to become a garden designer. As a disabled person he found he was not encouraged to go on this journey but he found an on line course in which he gained a distinction. He gained RHS level 1 and 2 and really wanted to work with plants and garden designing. He began writing for Gardeners’ World and explained how the biophilic effect being surrounded by nature has on people and how he feels happier now even though in a wheelchair. The BBC came to film him in his garden and, as a result of this he was asked to present on Gardeners’ World, on which he became a regular, presenting at Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court. After COVID he joined BBC Morning Live and enjoyed the great team spirit there. He is most interested in gardening getting back to basics, making your own compost and being organic, protecting wildlife and the environment. He started writing books: Royal Gardens of the World and has written about 19 and aims for 21 which require a lot of research. A TV version might be in the offing? He also writes about the need for thriftiness in gardening, reusing and recycling. He advocates gardening as being lovely and therapeutic, producing seratonin. Every season there is always something to do in the garden and always things to learn. He explained that he likes to be totally honest and will admit it if he doesn’t know the answer to questions, but will endeavour to find out. He is a champion for ensuring gardening designers take proper consideration for the disabled with room to turn wheelchairs and ramps at the correct gradient. Also raised beds which can be reached by those who are seated and general accessibility for all.
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We then had a very informal question and answer session with lots of discussion and follow up queries overall nearly 30 questions! These ranged from pruning apple trees and general pruning of shrubs and plants, particularly roses, strawberries, clematis, honeysuckle, ivy, buddlea to what sort of compost to buy and how to attract and keep wildlife in your garden. He recommended Dalesfoot compost which has sheep’s wool as a constituent. Mix and match composts best. Concern for the environment was widely discussed and lack of insects this year and unpredictable weather patterns. Apparently if you need to identify an apple tree you can send an apple to RHS Wisley laboratories, Surrey to get the answer, also to identify roses. A good day out there recommended. Feed and mulch plants in Spring eing careful that the mulch does not touch stems. Cut back roses Autumn or Spring from third to two thirds and take cuttings from roses in October. Take 30cm lengths from mid stems, put in a shallow trench and leave them to develop. Problem with strawberries not flowering feed regularly and cut them right back in Autumn. There was a discussion about whether to lift Dahlias or leave them with a thick mulch. Often stronger if dried and get a better start? How to get rid of pests on Lupins – better to use fingers and avoid pesticides. One of the last questions was how to stop cats digging and messing in garden. Cat powder deterrents not effective. Get a dog?
We thanked Mark very much for a very interesting and informative evening, enjoyed by all.
We finished with coffee/tea and Chair Louise’s delicious Victoria Sponge cake. 50/50 draw and raffle took place.
October 2024
Hannah Sylvester - Consulting Medical Herbalist
From Jill Russell
We had the good fortune to have Hannah Sylvester, aka The District Herbalist – Western
Herbal Medicine in the Heart of Lincolnshire, come to give us a talk.
She began by telling us about herself and that she has spent 14 + years working with medicinal plants, very much as a full time job, realising the benefits of medicinal plants for humans and wider nature. She trained at Lincoln University and gained a Bsc Honours which she told us is a very hard degree as it includes finding all about plants and then also about the human body, training alongside medics to understand how medicinal plants work on the body. This would include botany(plants), chemistry(drug combinations) and biology(human physiology). Like doctors she refers to people she treats as patients and will refer cases on to doctors if needed. Also, safety is the topmost priority. She followed the general training and then specialised in skin, joints and reproductive ailments, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in her first
year of training. She benefitted from a great NHS plus herbalism to recover totally.
She began work at a clinic in Lincoln and then spent 7 years as a lecturer, then Covid hit. She went on line and has 60% of patients from across the country and 40% from home visits. She was happy to leave education and is now just a clinical practitioner, also giving talks and leading walks in the countryside, identifying plants. She then gave us a bit of history about notable European herbalists. Hildegard of Bingen, 1098-1179, a German Abbess, wrote ‘Physica’. As well as herbs she advocated using crushed stones and animal parts which is not allowed now! John Gerard 1545-1642, Nicholas Culpepper 1616-1654 both writing about
herbalism although this practice much older than this. Maud Grieve, 1858-1941 wrote in ‘The Modern Herbal’, how to grow plants and use them which brought ideas up to date. After the introduction of the NHS herbal medicine went out of favour despite the fact that many drugs are derived from plants. Nowadays there are only about 500 registered herbalists from the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and Hannah warned that there are a lot of charlatans out there. You should only buy from reputable sellers and/or get a consultation first. This is to keep the standard high and safety first for the public. Jesse Boot was first a medical botanist and a medical act made up a schedule of 20 restricted plants, such as Belladonna which has to be signed for as it is so poisonous. Also Foxglove and Yew are not allowed to be used by herbalists because they are so poisonous, yet they can be
found used in certain controlled drugs very effectively. Hannah can prescribe drugs to patients but insists on a consultation with her first, to check if there is any conflict with other prescribed drugs being taken. Hannah told us she was keen to connect people with plants and nature as a whole. While she was talking she handed us samples to smell and taste. Alcohol in water samples could be dropped on to the back of our hands for us to taste. She told us that herbalism was not magic but a mixture of art and science. Plants used contain different properties eg Lady’s mantle contains tannins so good for drying out, helping with heavy menstruation, Marshmallow contains musilap which is cooling and soothing and a good cough medicine, Willow has analgesic and pain relieving properties. The whole of the plant can be useful and can have either hot, cold, dry or damp properties
and the secret is to get a balance to suit the patient. Hannah then gave us examples of plants which can be used to make tea, soups or add to salads.
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) – Good for caterpillars and ground cover. Young leaves(tops) good to steam and use like spinach, or make soup. Helpful anti-histamine for hay fever, if brewed as an infusion tea.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)- Young leaves in salad. Leave flowers for the bees. Root can be harvested, roasted brewed as bitter coffee or dried and used as diuretic, gentle bowel mover good for liver and also a hangover cure!
White Deadnettle (Lamium album) – Leave the ‘fairy shoes’ for the bees to enjoy.
Plantain (Plantago lanceolata / Plantago major) – used as tea/infusion, helps hayfever. Rubbed on insect bites to relieve itching.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – Good to staunch bleeds from grazes and improves circulation, also anti bacterial properties.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) – Better fresh. Infusion of leaves can relieve wind, bloating and cramp.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officianalis) – An infusion of the leaf can calm stress and wind. Also good in salads.
Sage ( Salvia officinalis) – Good to gargle for sore throats, anti septic and anti microbial. Also good as tea.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) – Helps phlegm. Use whole sprigs infused in warm water.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) – Helps memory and lovely to smell. Can be enjoyed as an infusion, small sprig in water.
Roses especially Damask Rose (Rosa x damascene) – Any petal helps improve mood and self esteem and good for the ‘emotional heart’. Keep smelling your aromatic roses!
Hannah then told us how to make a herbal infusion: 1-2 teaspoons or sprig into infuser ball or cup or teapot. Pour on hot water, just off boil ( boil, then let water sit for minute or two), then place saucer over your cup if not using a teapot, brew the infusion for 5-10 mins. Then strain and enjoy. Always make sure you know the plants you are using are safe to use! She
invited us to make our own teabag to take home and encouraged us to come on one of her walks, read her book or listen to her podcast, ‘Edge of the Hedge’. She hoped her talk helped to ‘sow a seed’ or two about how we might be able to use or appreciate plants we already have growing in our gardens in new ways or start growing in future. Also give us ideas of some plants to look for on our walks with new eyes too. Always something new and interesting to discover!
Our Chair, Louise thanked her for a most stimulating talk. We then had tea/coffee and biscuits, 50/50 Draw and raffle.