When we arrived, Jane Bowen displayed a very comprehensive show of Northumbrian views on Mauchline Ware and gave a talk on the career of the engineer Lord Armstrong who built for himself Cragside near Rothbury.

The next day we visited Cragside and after a guided tour we were free to explore the grounds and view Armstrong’s engineering works there. Unfortunately the few pieces of Mauchline Ware Lord Armstrong had have now been mislaid, but we live in hope that they may turn up!

On Saturday we were shown round the interior of Bamburgh Castle, which Lord Armstrong had bought and refurbished. The views over to the Farne Islands and to Lindisfarne were spectacular in glorious sunny weather. During the afternoon we visited the Grace Darling Museum, where several displays of Mauchline Ware had been set up by members. Subjects included views of Mauchline, the 1886 "Old Edinburgh" exhibition, Stencil Ware and Black Lacquer Ware and transfer views of bridges over the Tyne.

That evening followed a drinks reception and the traditional Convention Dinner. The Convention ended the next morning with the Dealers’ Fair where members enjoyed the opportunity to expand their collections! The members’ sales table provided some real bargains also.

It was a very relaxed and interesting Convention and our thanks go to Jane Bowen and Jan Ward for arranging it.