DMG Fairs

The DMG Master Classes for 2005, started at Shepton Mallet on 7th May. David was at Shepton Mallet along with Sheila Dunlop. Normally I would gave a few pictures of David's Master Class to put on here, but this time things were a bit different. As David took some paintings along with him this time, I helped by holding them during his talk. This restricted my pictures to a few shots afterwards.

This particular painting I thought was one I would explain, as I found it interesting, so hope you will too.

The man with the naked lady is in a suit of armour. He is Uther Pendragon, (Arthurian Legend), and he goes to her bedroom, she is Ygerna, pretending to be her husband. Merlin has created a solid mist on the lake so Uther Pendragon can ride across to her. He is in armour to disguise himself. The result of him making love to her, she believes it is her husband, is a child called Arthur.

The 6th of April 2004, saw the first of David's talks on antiques at the Newark antiques fair. Henry Sandon from the Antiques Roadshow was first to give his talk on Worcester porcelain. Both talks lasted half an hour. But David's could easily have been longer. It was informative, funny, well paced and related with such enthusiasm that you couldn't help but leave wanting to hear more. David had taken many items of his own to use. An excellent and varied selection to keep everyone's interest. Not only during the talk, but after as well, as many people went to look at the pieces close up.

This article appeared in the Nottingham Evening Post 5th April. Some of the facts were taken from this web site. Good to know the site is well read!!

The 21st of April was the second of David's talks on antiques, this time at the Ardingly antiques fair in Sussex. David's fellow speaker this time was Madeleine Marsh, who's talk was on 1950's collectables. David again brought along a varied selection of items to put on display. The talk was fluent, powerful and conveyed with real feeling. David is a man obviously passionate about antiques.

The third of David's talks on antiques took place at the Shepton Mallet antiques fair on the 8th of May. The first speaker this time was John Sandon from the Antiques Roadshow, with advice on buying porcelain. David was on top form as usual, with a very enlightening and indefatigable half hour on the Identification of Period Styles. Resulting, once more, in several people taking notes. The talks were again well attended. The afternoon in particular, with the marquee being full, resulting in many people have to stand.

The 24th July saw the last of David's talks, this time at the Detling antiques fair in Kent. With David on this occasion was David Battie from the Antiques Roadshow, who's talk was on glassware.

David's talk was once again on period styles. His thirty minute talk in the morning, lasting almost one hour! David couldn't believe it when I told him! But I said that if you go to a thirty minute talk and come out an hour later having been informed, educated and entertained then who minds?! The afternoon talk was over-running too. David apologised to the audience, who immediately replied he could carry on! Previously on this page I had said that David was a man passionate about antiques. Today, David told the audience "I am passionate about antiques". No-one was left in any doubt!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank David. For his time. His patience. Not minding me being at each of his talks and seeing him "dislocate his hip" in the Court Mannerist style! See the last picture from Ardingly and last but one on this page! I, and I'm sure many others have learned so much from these talks.