NEWSLETTER Issue No. 33 Spring 2015
FROM THE CHAIRMAN
The weather this year has been a complete contrast with last year's which has indeed been a blessing for
our fragile roof. Since last I wrote we have moved ahead with the repairs and just before Christmas we
signed a contract with local contractors Williams & Burrows to complete phase one of the restoration
process. This entails erecting a weatherproof scaffolding structure over the roof and then stripping the
roof material so that our professionals can inspect the failed roof structure, decide the method o f repair
and obtain the necessary permissions so that phase two repair of the roof can be completed. We expect
that both phases of the work will be completed by April 2016.
The trustees intend that the Institution will remain open throughout this time. You will notice a change
in the Libraries as they will be lit by artificial light. This is needed as a false ceiling will be built in both
rooms to protect the internal environment and provide a suitable working platform for the workers.
Throughout this work the books in the galleries will be well protected and accessible to the Librarians.
The Trustees have initiated the work at this time because we were concerned by the continuing
deterioration in the roof. Funding is from the amount already raised (£500,000) and if necessary the
balance of £87,000 will be drawn from capital reserves.
On the positive side I am pleased to report that we have been successful in our initial application to the
Heritage Lottery Fund, inasmuch as we have been given a first stage award of £25,000 in order to
prepare our second and final application. We will know the result of this by September 2015. This
application is involving the Trustees in a considerable amount of extra work and I would like to thank
them for all that they do to ensure that the Institution can continue to flourish.
We have many everyday tasks to carry out in order to keep the building well maintained and fully
functioning. This always goes on as part of our regular programme of maintenance, the most recent item
visible to members being the renovation of paintwork in various parts of the building.
In the midst of all this we were very disturbed to hear from Exeter University that they were termin ating
the agreement with the Institution that has been in place for the last forty years. They will continue to
fund the IT support and Library Catalogue but will no longer fund a Librarian or support the office and
conservation work. This news has only been communicated to us very recently so we have yet to plan the
way forward. Suffice it to say we have had expressions of support from many members of the University
who are very perturbed at these changes, which are due to take place by February 2016.
As you will appreciate there is much to be done before then and you will be kept fully informed on
proposed changes. Whatever happens we shall be even more dependent on our team of volunteers: we
will need more in both the Library and the Office so even if you have only a couple of spare hours a
month please contact Pamela or Jenny. Training will be given.
Despite the above, the everyday work of the Institution has carried on. Pamela Wootton has continued to
delight us with her series of evening lectures. This is the last year that Pamela will do this: retirement
from this aspect of her work beckons. We wish her well and thank her most sincerely for all the
interesting speakers she has cajoled into speaking to us. We are delighted to be able to say that the
lectures will continue in the hands of Diana Symes who has taken up the task.
Lunchtime lectures in the capable hands of our Treasurer Julian Nowill have also continued. These offer
a small window into the Institution for the general public who are able to attend.
Mary, our Housekeeper, supports our functions with her excellent and varied meals. We thank her for all
she does not only to meet our culinary needs but all the many things which ensure that our premises are
kept in good condition.
Please support our events, they all require much planning. Book early as we need your commitment to
ensure we have sufficient numbers to go ahead with each event.
Thank you all for your support.
John Manley-Tucker
SOCIAL EVENING TALKS
The Friday evenings have been well attended and enjoyed this winter and I am sure that the one
remaining, on 24th April, will be equally popular and will inspire interest in visiting Devon Gardens.
As this is the end of my last season of arranging the talks I would like to thank again all those many well over a hundred - speakers who have so generously given their time, enthusiasm and expertise to
inform and entertain us. And I add my thanks to the many members who have come to hear and
appreciate them.
I am delighted that Diana Symes will be arranging the talks from now on and I look forward to coming to
hear speakers who are new to me.
Pamela Wootton
SUMMER OUTING Thursday 2nd July
This year's outing has been arranged to the Morrab Library in Penzance. The Morrab is a private
library very similar to our own and a fellow member of the Association of Independent Libraries. It is
situated in the subtropical Morrab Gardens and close to Penlee House Gallery and Museum.
The coach will depart from Belgrave Road (beside the Vue Cinema) at 09.30 and return to Exeter at
approximately 19.30. The cost per person is £25.00. Please book with Jenny in the Office - as this has
been a popular trip on previous occasions, early booking is advised.
SPRING VISIT TO HANNAH'S AT SEALE-HAYNE Tuesday 12th May
For many years Seale-Hayne, near Newton Abbot, was the county's, and probably the country's,
foremost Agricultural College. Since 2010 it has been the location of "Hannah's at Seale -Hayne", an
innovative and ground-breaking solution to the lack of facilities for people with disabilities once they reach
adulthood. It is also home to a host of creative artists and craftsmen providing a top quality art gallery and
a series of craft workshops and studios. There is a blacksmith's forge, a music recording studio and a
health and physiotherapy centre. There is an area for "glamping", together with Hannah' s Farm and
Horticultural Centre and a greenhouse with unusual vegetables and fruit and bees. Most importantly there
is a wonderful bistro providing delicious meals from Hannah's own produce.
On Tuesday 12th May DEI members and their guests will have a unique opportunity to enjoy a guided tour
of Seale-Hayne, including a visit to the old library with a "Seale-Haynian" to explain the history of the
college and a current member of the team to outline present and future plans. Starting with coffee or tea
in the old library and ending with a delicious lunch in one of the college's private rooms, with time to visit
the craft workshops and art gallery; this is a trip not to be missed.
The cost is anticipated to be in the region of £22.50 each, including return transport from Exeter, tea or
coffee on arrival and a delicious two course lunch. Tuesday 12th May - put it in your diary now! As we
must arrange the guided tour and the coach hire well in advance, it would be really helpful if you could
indicate your interest as soon as possible: please contact Tony Rhodes on 01404 811299, email
tonyandbrendarhodes@gmail.com or leave a note in the DEI office.
CINEMA CLUB NEWS
There are now two thriving Cinema Clubs for DEI members. The 'original' club for more mainstream
films, both old and new, classic and modern, meets for a screening in the Outer Library on the fourth
Wednesday of each month. Sandwiches and soup, provided by arrangement with Mary, are available
before the show, with tea or coffee afterwards.
The World Cinema Club, for foreign language and, sometimes, more challenging films, meets on the
second Wednesday of each month, and members are encouraged to bring their own drinks etc.
If you are interested please contact either Su Conniff in the Library, or Tony Rhodes (in the DEI Office each
Tuesday afternoon) for details of membership availability, subscription fees etc.
"STONE'S CUTTINGS" FOR THE ROOF APPEAL
The little book, "Jottings from the Cuttings Box," based on the contents of two tins of century old newscuttings left in a cupboard by former DEI Secretary, Henry Stone, was published last year by the Institution.
The book is a light-hearted resume of the more curious items in the boxes. Topics covered range from
weddings to wills, burglaries to bric-a-brac, first flights to last rites and many more.
Some copies are still available, price £5, from the DEI Library or Office and the total of each sale will go
to the Roof Appeal as we have now covered the original publishing and printing costs.
Tony Rhodes
HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND PROJECT
At the end of November 2014, the DEI obtained a "round one pass" from the Heritage Lottery Fund
(HLF) for a grant of approximately £200,000 towards a project (already generously supported by
English Heritage, as previously reported) which aims to deliver the restored roof and collection care
programme. A further aim is to increase the understanding of the library collections, the building and its
setting in The Close. We are now developing proposals to make a round two application in May to actually
secure the funding to start in September 2015.
A key document for the HLF round two application is an Activity Plan to guide the non -capital
elements of the project and for this we are reviewing the conservation needs of the collection,
considering volunteer roles and their training needs and looking a t interpretation and learning
activities that engage the communities without compromising the ethos of the DEI. Member feedback to
date is very clear about how much the DEI is appreciated for what it is and HLF is very sympathetic to
this.
A hard-working Activity Planning team drawn from the Executive and working with consultants has now
put together a set of proposals which include portable "pop-up" interpretation panels and schemes
for formal learning. These will focus on primary and secondary on-line resources on the one hand, but on
the other hand focus on the DEI's ability to deliver to an overlooked school/college learner by
facilitating extra-curricular activities for more able students such as independent study EPQ or essay
writing competitions for university entrance. A teachers' consultation session is being arranged for
4pm on i6th April. We would welcome teachers, particularly those with sixth form experience. Please
contact members(5)devonandexeterinstitution.org.
And finally HLF funding is allowing us to appoint a Programme Manager to run the project - we hope to
have made the appointment by the end of March.
The Activity Planning team would now like to share all these proposals with members and
to this end an "Open Afternoon" will be held from 2.00-5.oopm on 2ist April in the Outer
Library. Please drop in to find out about the latest on the roof investigations and to discuss
the activities programme and the new volunteering opportunities emerging.
Katharine Chant (Activity Plan Co-ordinator)
ROOF VISIT VOLUNTEERS
Training has begun for Roof Tour Guides, but it would still be useful to have a few more volunteers. If you
would like to help in this way, please contact Tony Rhodes as soon as possible (see the previous page for
contact details).
EASTER CLOSING DATES
The Institution will be closed on Good Friday (3rd April) and on Easter Monday (6th April).