The C&TA AGM and Talk held on 18th May 2024

Sheringham Seascape Embroidery

Ruth Battersby, Senior Curator Norfolk Museum Service

Here is a brief note about the C&TA AGM and talk by Lisa Little of Sheringham Museum,
on 18th May 2024. The aim of this little piece is to give you a flavour of the event in case
you could not attend in person.
A friend of mine, when I asked her if I would see her at the C&TA AGM, said “Oh no, I
don't do AGMs.” But I have to say the C&TA AGM is such an exemplary affair I could find
no excuse not to attend. It is informative, briskly run and so mercifully brief. Minutes of
the last meeting, agenda and treasurers report were available. A variety of members
from the floor were quick to propose and second motions, so there was no tedious delay
and all the reports were clear and to the point.
The Jerningham Room upstairs at The Costessey Centre was full and there was a lot of
chatter in between the various presentations. I was impressed at the smooth transition
between officers, as we had changed both our Chairman and our Treasurer. The
previous post holders were properly thanked and flowers were presented. The
Chairman’s talk included thanks to many and pride in our achievements, in particular
the 35 th Anniversary Exhibition at the Norfolk Makers Festival, held in April at the
Norwich Forum. The Treasurer explained the audited accounts and our different
sources of income. The digital report highlighted how important the online talks had
become for the C&TA income and how they had extended our international
membership. There was a discussion of what I would call the digital divide and people’s
confidence in using new technology
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Ruth Battersby, Senior Curator at the Norfolk Museum Service’s presentation was very
interesting. She focused on the recent work of moving the collection and the importance
of location documentation; and highlighted the contribution C&TA had made to the
work of the Museum Service. She also explained the Norfolk Museums Service’s role in
the advisory services available to other heritage organisations
There was then a small gap in proceedings, so anyone who had wanted to avoid the AGM could arrive just for the talk.

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The speaker for the day was Lisa Little of Sheringham Museum.
Lisa spoke about her family connections to Sheringham. Her talk covered two main topics of great interest to
members: The first was John Craske, the fisherman, artist and embroiderer. Lisa
showed the design and development of a community piece in response to his work, the
‘Sheringham Seascape Embroidery’, a view of the Sheringham shoreline - this piece of
work-in-progress was set out on a table for us to examine afterwards. The second was
the East Anglia Gansey Group project [A gansey is hand knitted woollen jumper worn by
British fishermen], which included an insight into the development of the International
Gansey Day (23 rd November) and the ‘Gansey of Inclusivity’, a truly impressive piece of
5ft 8in knitting celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Lisa’s enthusiasm and hard work
shone through her talk.

We hurried away promising ourselves a visit to Norwich Castle when the Keep
restoration project opens, and a visit to Sheringham, where the museum is open
everyday, except Sunday, as soon as possible.

Helen Ann Durrant (Member, C&TA)

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Giant Gansey

Lisa Little, Curator Sheringham Museum