Yesterday was such fun. We met some really interesting characters along the way - they said they were “visitors to Radstock”. We went to the Museum, where staff said people were searching for us. Well, Mary, who found us wearing her rather splended candlewick dressing gown, who then proceeded to say she couldn’t run anyway, but did so, round the greenfield with a feather duster. At the Museum we stayed a while and found out about some history of the railways and mines, of a scratchy vicar who wrote lots of stuff about his parish in his journals, the hard working life of both the men and women. We got lost and talked about what is what, then went on our way again. We met a rather vivacious beautiful lady who was cross that we weren’t in the right place at the right time and that she couldn’t get into the Radstock Museum to the see the art show without coughing up money (which she had already spent on her onions). We went back to her place and talked about gifts lost and found. Later, we slopped off tot he pub and then as the full moon rose over the Pitt Wheel we ended up in art therapy at the Baptist Church, saw two dollies hanging from coat hooks from their hair and a wooden wall full of signs. Got introduced to a rather nice chap “He’s a bit cynical about you” was a comment, but minutes later he had agreed to bring along to Methodist drop in session his beloved collection of books, which include a series of Pilgrims Progress.

Val

I can't believe I am yet again on this flipping machine in pyjamas receiving and being able to respond to emails so early in what is a really dark and rain filled morning. Re your not being able to come down today, no worries. It is what it is.  The most important thing is the well-being of yourself and family.  No problems re the house today, absolutely none.  My plans have gone pear shaped too, including the idea of being parked up for the afternoon in a vehicle (which I haven't got) outside the Radstock Museum, only to be advised last night, that the dear chap who had kindly offered to contact someone at the Council to rubber stamp the unlocking of one bollard is sadly unwell, and didn't/couldn't/had'nt as yet, or simply they wouldn't let an artist loose on the centre of town. I am past caring at this stage.  The Manager of the Museum suggested maybe I would like to wear an old coat and, with a set of bags, lay on the park bench outside instead.  Oh I thought, a chance to be still, rest and reflect for a moment.  Now, it's pouring with rain and my plan was to be out and about in the urban and rural landscape. All I can think of to take down to the day is my pac a mac and a newly acquired purple feather duster whilst I think my friend Julie was going to bring a cape and a nurse's hat!

Monday afternoon Mags and I are organising the final little soirree/closing event - a chance to meet other festival organisers, with a drink, nibbles, photographs and stories from the week's activities, Church Tea Rooms 6.15 pm.  If you were able to be there that would be fabulous, you could see your house in a different light!

Have a restful day, may your husband be rested and well.

Jill

Mary rings to confirm she will join in the journey of the MOP and we will meet her at the Pitt Wheel. We discuss what needs to brought... I mention Anniversary Girl... “You should have heard the gasp of delight” I tell her “When I wound her up at the OAP lunch”... “She’s got wing’s” they said. Since then her wing has been repaired but has dropped off again. She promises to bring some special glue and suggests we set up an Emergency Ward 10 scenario. I inform her that Philippa has promised a new arts & health photographic/ music group will be joining us. “Will they know whose who” said Mary, “Maybe they could take my picture, I’ll go and find my candlewick dressing gown to be ready”. Are you taking a day off, she enquires. Well, I say, I am still in my dressing gown. I think your brain must be boiling. Go get one of those swimming caps that look like a brain, she recommends and then changes her mind. “Well, I think you should go and lay in a darkened room and play whale music”. I agree, so I’m off to find my 1970’s box of music.

Eugene,

I can't believe I have missed not one, but two of your bicycle rides. At the moment I am struggling to sort out website, photo collections, materials etc, and it is not very health giving and I would much rather be in the great outdoors seeing some of the beautiful surrounding countryside of the Radstock area. I do hope you have a great journey this morning., Look forward to receiving the photographs you took. Thank you so much!

Jill


On 22 Sep 2010, at 08:59, Eugene Kertzman wrote:, , Hi Jill, , I have got some photographs of the picnic ride, I will send them from my hjome PC as I can't do it from work., , Kind regards,

Eugene

Hi Maudey
 
Wow you've really pulled it off ............you all look fab. What's the drill for Sat shall I come to you first or are you staying in Radstock? Karen is coming and maybe Val if she is up to it. I hear the VW isn't for the whole week have you come up with a difinative plan yet?
 
The Fete went really well and we sold all the cakes ...........I'll be glad when Val is back in action makes you realise how much effort she and Karen put into the whole village thing.
I am going to an 80's thing at the Wyvern and am dressing up.....Adele has come up trumps again and it's like Madonna all over again.
 
Get back to me soon with details
 
Love
Win


Dearest

Plan, what plan?  I am not sure yet what is happening.  Mobile Media, Swindon, are loaning me the media bus, with Barry the brilliant sound production manager.  However, not sure yet whether the 'quirky beast' of the converted american rv will get round the corner onto the green field site on the family fun day. "It is made for the open road" he said, so maybe we could just take off to the beach.  Won't know till the eleventh hour - but nothing new there!  I may be able to get my hand on a stretched VW black limousine, which is apparently being used today for a funeral with a cheerful slant to it, according to Dave of Classic Bug for Hire, Radstock.  How does this all fit, with a gazebo, and/or what was originally intended to be a 40' circular marquee tent, no tables, and a huge collection of dressing up stuff for portraits and a nice oval mirror and some fabrics from Mieke's friend Sue - with a collection of small dollies with no clothes, jewels etc etc.  Monica is coming with a knitted shell. I am hoping to rope in Agent Graham, perhaps Toby if I can convince him, there will be Hilds too, Julie and me all retroe-d out.  Plus, Tony is recovering from his operation and hopes to attend, so we may need to find him a bed or at least a deckchair from somewhere....  I have no idea what we are actually going to do, but my front room is full of stuff - need to involve the tiny ones - but how, all my permanent pens got used up at the last event.  Some of the children from last week are promising to return with a farmyard set and a collection of cars, I was thinking they could build little theatres or gardens, dress up as their own characters. If we get the media van it is techno inside till I get my hands on it...then we would have stuff outside too. Or if it rains....Gulp?

I do hope Val is able to come with Karen, she will be totally uplifted by seeing the knitted house in the nave of the Church.  If it feels too much on Saturday, there is Monica there on Monday afternoon, installed by the house knitting with drop in visitors.  xxx

I am going down at crack of dawn to set up for 9.00 am. Do you want to come down with Hilds a bit later - the event is 12-5?

I am looking forward to checking out the 80's look.  We are bringing a 'mysterious woman' cape!

Off to see Jolyen today to get body re-aligned after all this excitement.

Yours, somebody, not sure who, it’s too early to tell. xx


On 21 Sep 2010, at 21:15, Jan Willis wrote:

John

Can you help? I have been avidly blogging my Travelling Museum of Possibilities project and can't seem to find a way of seeing all the entries for that subject on my website. I want to save and print the collection, so I can bring to Bluegate or any writer’s group, get a collection published, get famous etc, invest in a nice place by the sea.  Is there a way of doing that?

I've done it - see attached
You too can do it like this:

1, Click on Blog on top menu
2. Click on the RED ARROW HEAD  at the bottom of the screen
3. Scroll to find the Museum of Possibilities
4. Click on Museum of Possibilities
5. on the TOP OF SCREEN MENU click on File the Print
6. When the Print window comes up click on PDF in the bottom right hand corner
7. When the drop down PDF menu comes up click on SAVE AS PDF
8. Mutter under your breath "He's bloody briillant!"
9 Job done

Best 
John 
visit my forum & blog
at the BlueGate Poets website

Val

Just wanted to say to you and your group of knitters, thank you so much for making the house happen in Radstock. I love the way it is snuggled in the nave of the church.  I saw it for the first time today, and really appreciate that you were all up for the challenge of installing.  Children from the school assembly were bringing their parents back to see it. One little girl I know called Courtnay, said "I soooooooooooo want to be in it".   Who would you be, if you could be in it' I asked. "God" she replied. "What would you wear" I said. "White, all white".  This little girl comes from a street where the parents were very unhappy about their living conditions and no garden for them to play in.  So, with Monica's knittings and a Christmas fairy I made the story come alive.

Hope your husband is healing well.  Hope to see you soon.


Dear Jill

I am so pleased that you like the house and truly moved that it meant so much to that little soul.  I am hoping to get down on Thursday for some part of the day. Geoff is making good progress thank the Lord.

kindest regards
Val

Hi Chris

Unfortunately I now will not be able to make the bike ride with Eugune on Wednesday. A whole wealth of materials and opportunities have arrived out of being artist in residence and, I was hoping to be resident in Radstock during the week in a camper van. Unfortunately, I couldn't get insurance.  So, I have been driving back and forth from Swindon, but  I will need a day at home tomorrow to organise materials, sort photographs collected etc, write up accounts etc.  However, perhaps I will just have to dust off my own bike and at the end of the day get and ride round the block to celebrate and be in tandem with events.  It would have been lovely to see the area.  If it is possible for anyoneto to take any pics please let me know - as I am showing a digital collection of event imagery on Saturday in mobile media bus hopefully. So, riders welcome to bring along your pics to share and on the Monday evening celebration and review!

Hi my dear
are you resting!!?? The photos are great We are doing good stuff !
The lunch yesterday was wonderful, sorry I had to leave before the story telling, the Knitted house has been a huge success and an amazing
project to undertake, they must be really pleased with the response.
I do think the 10 day festival may have been a bit ambitious for Radstock, but I think this Saturday will be busy, I have my knitting
needles at the ready. I am sorry now that I ditched the huge knitted shell I made and exhibited some years ago, may be I should do another !!!
see you on Saturday, when are you setting up? I will be there to help.
love and hugs
Monx

You are a flipping star.  Not got to the resting bit, still in pyjamas mid-day sorting out photos, knitted house images, and portraits a Radstock family wanted of their little girl from two years ago, a proposed picnic to the beach plushow to organise the arrival and use of the mobile media van and Barry. Most importantly I urgently have to sort out all the flipping collection before I tip over the edge. Hilds suggested tying the little dollies to the traintrack.

Yesterday had a wealth of stories, history and stuff to set seeds of ideas for the future. Margaret at the lunch club who shared her love of knitting and her wish that she could knit again with hands that can’t be still, really moved me. Is it possible to find out how to help?

I love the idea of a knitted book. How easy is that?

I will be setting up from 10.00 ish on Saturday, need to confirm when van will arrive. It will be a treat to have you there too.

Off to sort out stuff, But going to get some fresh air too, I have neglected my garden of herbs.

lots of love. jx

A kind invitation pulled out of the hat through Allayne’s networking skills magically enabled the Travelling Museum of Possibilities to appear as part of St Hugh’s lunch club on Tuesday lunchtime. Julie and I appeared, together with Monica and a pile of knitting in tow. We sat with lunchtime members and enjoyed a lovely shepherd’s pie (my Mum’s favourite comforting meal for us) followed by a cheesecake with fruity topping, and a raffle for afters. Everyone was very welcoming and I was given a special visitor’s tablecloth and long table to set up my stuff for my ‘talk’ - a circle of chairs was set out for the members to sit and listen. OMG I thought as I stood behind the table which could only be described as looking like a bring and buy stall. “Is that teapot for sale?” a voice asked. Hmm, I thought, as I noticed a seemingly rather formidable lady’s amythest and diamond crucifix glinting at her throat, whilst I sent up a quick prayer for some inspiration as to how I should make this work. I grabbed a tray from hall and started setting out some of the materials which looked all wrong “Is that rubbish?” I asked, “Yes” replied most of the ‘audience’ whose kind but seriously attentive faces peered back at me. I peered back, over the tartan blanket, the flags, the Scottish kilted girl, the 1950’s sun specs, the knitterlings, tea sets, books and the much admired teapot.

Hilds had earlier said, “get control” only take one box of collections, but I have to say, that a bit more stuff was hauled out to set the scene, including Julie’s Chinese red dress (that she wonders if it would be possible to ever get into), a series of wigs, glasses and gloves, plus a pink Cowgirl hat and a feather boa. Blinking heck, I thought, and donned the Cowgirl hat and feather boa and said “Do you think I am mad”? “Yes,” said Julie rather loudly. So, that was it....”Margaret” I cried “You loved knitting” and grabbed a huge fat aluminium teapot from the kitchen and placed it on the tray, “What has knitting got to do with teapots”? “A cosy?” said another. And so we were off. It was like being Paul Daniels on speed. I had to pull out of the hat and respond to stories and resource materials which could tell of marriages - with a wedding dress with holes (lace & net), bridesmaids, flowers and a ring that cost a thousand. There was serious tutting from the room when I turned a lady’s coat inside out to make the lining represent the wedding dress - “How about use the white table cloth instead” was offered ...”and put it in the girl with a hole in her head, as her veil”. Ideas and associations started to sparkle. “Has anyone ever met the Queen? “No” only the Duke, was the reply. A dream is shared of tea with the queen. “What would you wear, if you were invited to a garden party”? “A ballgown!” was the prompt reply. “What! in the day” came a retort from the seats. “What sort of biscuits would the Queen have at the tea party? “Chocolate” said a lady, whilst a quiet voice whispered “Give the Queen Ginger Nuts” -when I could only put my hand on a packet of Rich Tea. All this mingled with talk of health concerns, a wish to knit, cruises, trips to Africa, mining history, tragedies, the wish to find a dress that fitted, baby blankets, blood transfusions and a decision to say nothing to a daughter-in-law. “How about you all put something on the tray together” I say, and so it was that jewellery of one hundred years and less was trustingly placed on the tray, watches, rings, together with a poodle called Mitsi, keys, money, a beautiful lilac scarf, a Vera Lynn CD and a lovely list of signatures. Stand on a chair to take that said a man’s voice”Because we have gone up in the world”. “Not very health and safety” was the cry. Julie rushed to hold the chair, whilst I periously peered down the camera lens. Lovely, I thought, then I looked more closely and realised it could read like evidence found from a retro swing party. Oh, well, I thought, its all about possibilities. We finished it all off in a flurry, as three dear ladies dressed up as though in a scene ‘Mrs Watson attends the Queen’s garden party and finds there are no biscuits, not even Ginger Nuts”. As the drivers waited to drive them home, I struggled to retrieve and quickly unwrap Chinese Dress lady very gingerly. The satiny dress got rather stuck and visions of a rather petite beautiful person being taken to casualty came to mind. I must say I reflected urgently that I didn’t anticipate any of the above when previously completing the dreaded risk assessment form. “Oh well”, said the lady suddenly freed of the red dress, “its all about having fun”!

a handful of tiny gemlike fairies (one called Ruby) dancing with a silvered satin toed mouse
a man/woman/rabbit headscarved gloved creature wishing for someone to dance
musical people clinking and clonking
a snow white dog
a glade of youths
with wound- up lady - sat in a corner, wishing it was all her idea
& man with an owl dressing up set and a pair of lucky slippers

I am shattered. Me, the gifted beautiful VW Beryl, a gaggle of gorgeous friends and residents of Radstock featured and created story trays as part of our travelling picnic in a lay-by tableaux on day one of the festival. We were dressed in a cross between land girls meet “Shall I do you now, Sir” cleaning scenario. I dusted off Michael Evis’ Glastonbury beard, whilst Mon swept and Julie held the fort. Later, the visiting poet Hilds was to arrive and don my pac-a-mac and piggie blonde wig and basket and walk down the Church steps over and over. Later, Beryl became filled with what could be a contemporary take on the holy family arriving at the inn to find noone would strangely take them in. I invited folk to respond by simply placing things on Jayne’s tray. No thanks, said one lady, when I asked if she would like to respond, “You might get me doing something daft”. “Doesn’t look like anything much different is happening here” said another passerby. Whilst a little Mocca and her Mum had a fabulous time and told a strangely beautiful tale, dressed up like an animal/fairylike creature and ate my biscuits.