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On Saturday, September 22nd, 2012, members had a chance to see the large heraldic display created by our master craftsman Laurie Patten in its new home at the Mews on the grounds of Government House. Here is a photo summary of the day's events.
Below are a series of views as one enters the Mews area.
Once you get through the arch and turn left at the "Heraldry" sign, you will be at the entrance to the building housing the display, as shown in the photo to the right.
Here is a close-up of the sign that sits just outside the entrance to the display.
The front panel of the display greets visitors as they enter the room.
Lady Susan Erling-Tyrell was our Government House hostess for the afternoon. She was also representing the Friends of Government House, with whom we may be forming a relationship in regards to the manning of the display.
Members are starting to gather into the display room. Here, Laurie Patten (branch director and heraldic craftsman) and Jamie Hammond (private secretary to the Lieutenant Governor and executive director of Government House) are looking at a proposed addition to the display room.
Members are enjoying a delicious lunch. The sandwiches were scrumptious, well accompanied by a wonderful seafood chowder. From left to right: Lynn Patten (wife of Laurie Patten), Tom Mercer (branch director and glazier), Allan Ailo (branch vice-president and editor of the Blazon), and John Neill (branch president).
After lunch, Susan gave a tour of the costumes on display next door to the heraldry room. The uniform on the left is the actual outfit that His Honour wears on official occasions.
The flag is concealing a surprise presentation for the upcoming meeting.
Members are gathering for a meeting that will present various visions of how the heraldic display, and the relationship between the branch and Government House, may evolve.
President John Neill opens the meeting by welcoming branch members and officials of Government House. He then asks director Steve Cowan to give an update on the display.
Steve presents ideas on how the heraldic display at the Mews may develop.
Steve shows an example (which he made) of what could be posted on a wall.
An example shield of what also could be attached to a wall is passed around amongst the members.
Now it is director Tom Mercer's turn to give his vision. He (surprisingly!) proposes to add stained glass panels to the windows in the room.
Here are the windows to which Tom was referring. Can you imagine some heraldic stained glass, here?
Steve now comes back to the podium and shows off another one of his projects. It is a panel of a set of three that explains the basics of heraldry. Work is almost complete on this set. (This project is independant of the Mews heraldry display).
Allan Ailo presents a very nice photo to a pleased Jamie Hammond. The photo was taken at last Spring's National Conference in Nanaimo and shows Jamie and his wife, Fern, dressed up for the black tie dinner. This photo has particular significance because it was at this conference where the germ of the idea to transfer the heraldic display to Government House was first planted in Jamie's head.
Now we come to the highlight of the day's activities. A surprised and overwhelmed ancient craftsman learns that the heraldic display in the Mews has been named in his honour, the Lawrence J. Patten Heraldry Exhibit.
Now the mystery hidden by the Ulster flag is revealed. The flag was hiding a sign that will be attached to the heraldic display, declaring that it is the Lawrence J. Patten Heraldry Exhibit. The sign also gives a short biography of Laurie as well as his coat of arms and a photo showing him with the Lieutenant Governor, with the display in the background.
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