The DSWA National AGM and Members Weekend

Our Branch had the pleasure of hosting the Dry Stone Walling Association AGM and Members Weekend at Wentworth Castle near Barnsley. This was the first time that this momentous occasion for UK wallers had been held in Yorkshire since the DSWA's conception 39 years ago.

Months of preparation suddenly culminated as myself and Alan put out direction signs from the M1 on the Friday night guiding DSWA Members to Wentworth Castle. We expected a few members to arrive that night but most would arrive during Saturday.





Saturday arrived with a thin drizzle wetting those branch members who turned up to help with the running of the weekend. We enjoyed a substantial breakfast in the Castle dining room which somehow tasted better in the sumptuous surroundings. It's not often you can raise your eyes to the roof and see lovely paintings adorning the ceiling!




The first meeting of the day was the National Committee Meeting held in Holme Farm which is a recently restored annex to the castle. Meantime branch members guided guests to their rooms and informed them where to catch the transport to our first visit of the weekend, the National Mining Museum. Members who visited the museum experienced an underground tour of the mine which is part of the museum and got to see dry stone walling miners style where the miners had packed the stone which was a by product of their excavations. One of our members apparently liked the tour so much that he decided to stay and went missing underground!!

A big thank you to the staff of the National Mining Museum for their help in making this tour possible and a great experience for our members.






Attention then turned to the AGM which was held in the renovated St John's Church which is deconsecrated and stands in the castle grounds and was once the, almost, private church of the Fitzwillam family.







Helen soon got down to selling DSWA wares before the meeting commenced.











After the meeting members had the opportunity to see an exhibition of miniature building made entirely from stone by Malcolm Debenham. Malcolm and his wife Rene, had given up their day to display their models and explain the techniques involved in making them. Quite a lot of DSWA members have had a go at building miniature dry stone walls and could fully appreciate the skill which is involved in making these buildings.

A big thank you to Malcolm and Rene for a fascinating insight into their skilled craft.
















With the formal part of the day over, it was time for dinner in the Blue Room of Wentworth Castle where we were joined by some of the sponsors of the weekend.





We were fortunate to obtain the services of Ian Clayton as our after dinner speaker. Ian is the presenter of YTV's My Yorkshire. His speech was very funny with his reminiscence of his youth in Yorkshire which was enjoyed by all and sundry and surprisingly there was no need for the services of a translator!


















After his speech Ian very kindly signed copies of his book 'Bringing It All Back Home'. We held a collection in aid of the Billie Clayton Trust which Ian set up in memory of his daughter Billie who tragically died in a canoeing accident. We managed to donate £160 on the evening which will be used to buy musical instruments for local children. Signed copies by Ian and our National Chairman Richard Love of the program of events/sponsors list will be available for any members wishing to have a momento of the evening - in return for a small donation to the Billie Clayton Trust!

A big thank you to Ian for his services.

The evening continued with the OFB Band providing the music. We were joined by some of the students from the Northern College who are resident at the Castle. Unfortunately we don't have any photo's of the band and the dancing which ensued as we were all on the dance floor strutting our stuff!! It was a brilliant performance with some classic soul and dance music which was enjoyed by almost eveyone.

A big thank you to the OFB Band. You certainly won a few more fans that night!





Sunday found us visiting the Yorkshire Sculpture Park to see some of Andy Goldsworthys art using dry stone walls and walling techniques. They were built by DSWA members and are a great piece of walling.

We were guided around the park by Alan who is the main man at the Park and his assistant Claire. A big thank you to them for the interesting tour and giving up their Sunday morning for our members.














After the tour it was time for members to make their way home, while I headed off to the Cherry Tree at High Hoyland for a hair of the dog!

A big thank you to branch members Owen Jones, Don Jones, Alan Devonport, Gary Helliwell, Mick Booth, John Alston and David Longden for their help in everything to do with the weekend, without which it would not have been such a success.

Thanks to Alison who is the DSWA Office Manager for her part in organising the weekend.

Thanks to the staff and residents of the Northern College for their help and a smashing dinner.

Thanks to Chris Stephens and John Alston for the use of their photographs.

A huge thank you to our sponsors Dodworth Direct Taxi's, Lavender International NDT, HSBC, Scores on the Doors, Transaction Network Services and Outo Kumpu.

And lastly a thank you to the DSWA Members who took the time to attend the DSWA Members Weekend and who's company I enjoyed.

If you wish to buy a signed copy of the sponsors list then please call me on 07952 551025 or email me at les@hadriansdrystonewalls.com.

Les Young
Secretary
South Yorkshire Branch of the Dry Stone Walling Association of GB.