Society Events
The Society’s Annual Convention, held together with the Society's AGM, is the highlight of the year’s activities. It is generally organised by a Branch, or two Branches working together, and is held in one of the larger and more accessible towns in their area, usually in April or May. It provides an ideal opportunity to meet fellow members of the Society.
A typical Convention runs from Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime. Activities during the weekend include talks and demonstrations on printing and related crafts, an auction of members’ surplus equipment and supplies, a trade exhibition, a Bring-and-Buy sale, and a display of members’ work. On Saturday evening members enjoy a banquet with a guest speaker. Following the dinner, the annual awards are presented by the President. Sunday morning is usually set aside for visits to local places of interest, including local members’ workshops, and further talks are usually organised.
The Annual General Meeting is held during the weekend, usually on the Saturday afternoon, and various items of business are dealt with including the presentation of the accounts, the election of officers for the coming year, and the annual subscription. The AGM of the Publishing Group is also held during the weekend, usually during the Saturday morning.
2012 Convention at Kent
This will be held 13-15th April 2012 at the Bridgewood Manor Hotel, Walderslade Woods, Chatham, Kent ME5 9AX. This is a four-star hotel that goes beyond expectations, which you will see from the moment you check in to the moment you check out. Designed around an attractive inner courtyard, an attentive service goes hand in hand with the superb setting. You won’t find another hotel in Kent where you’ll feel more at home. For an aperitif before dinner, relax in the Squires Bar. Understated elegance and simple chic surround you as top quality chefs prepare culinary delights in the Squires Restaurant. A lot of thought has gone into the 100 rooms and suites, all the way down to the duvets.
Click Hotel Map for a detailed map to find the hotel.
Click Booking Packages for the details of the Convention packages available. To book, chose the package desired and then print the application form produced by clicking Booking Form. After completing the form, send it, together with a cheque for the deposit/full amount and then send it to:
Chris Green, Noddyshall, Rockshaw Road, Merstham, Surrey RH1 3DB
Tel: 01737 644145 email: president@bpsnet.org.uk
Convention 2011 - Peterborough
The Lincolnshire Branch of the BPS, Chairman Ian Cork, welcomed members to Peterborough for the 2011 Convention. This was held in the very comfortable Holiday Inn West Hotel which had excellent food and pleasant facilities. The weather was good and the arrangements went as smoothly as clockwork.
There was a wide range of presentations which included a talk by Mike Edwards on "Digital Prepress" which included a large number of examples of designing commercial advertisements used in newspapers. Roderic Findlay followed this with an authoritative talk on " 500 years of Typefaces" which discussed the features of many of the major typefaces used from early letterpress to the present time. Jean Watson gave a presentation on "The Art of Letterpress" which had a very practical approach. As a respite from printing we had a talk by Tim Honnor on "The Battle of Jutland" , Tim had previously been a naval submariner before setting up his printing business. Another very practical programme event was given by Wendy Warne and Pauline Adkins on "Making corsages for The Annual Dinner" (and very nice the finished corsages looked when worn by members and guests at the annual dinner!).
Other attractions included Craft and trade Stalls, and the ever - popular Bring and Buy Sale. One member sold seven Adana Press's! (with the earnings going to charity).
The Annual General Meeting was the first one led by Chris Green the new President, who kept affairs well under control with his pleasant and firm leadership. The AGM of the Publishing Group, which likewise had a new Chairman - Ron Prosser, which established plans for the coming year. The annual Dinner was a rather splendid affair which was honoured by having the Major of Peterborough as guest speaker who gave us a fascinating history of this fast-growing City.
Below is a selection of photographs taken at the Peterborough Convention by Ron Rookes:
 Hotel |
 Publishing Group AGM |
 Jean Watson & Adana |
 Roderic Findley & Robert Lallje |
 Steve Hubard & Chris Green at AGM |
 Members at the AGM |
 Making Corsages for Annual Dinner |
 Peterborough Mayor at Annual Dinner |