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This meeting was in the Yew Tree Lodge - a fine new venue for ISASC. The main theme of the meeting was 'Inspectors' scales and weights'. Many members bought items for display, with a fine assortment of Standard Weights and Measures, and some Inspectors' Balances. Amongst the weights and measures, Yorkshire was well represented, with some exceptional measures (including pre-Imperial ones) from Hang East & West, Lepton, Shepley and Bradford, and a full set of Globe weights from Ossett. The other side of the Pennines was also represented, with an unusual set of Pooley standard weights from Liverpool, measures from Manchester and Blackburn, and some amazing Tombstone measures from 'Hundred of Wirrall' (sic) and Macclesfield. This was much better than a museum, as you could (carefully!) handle the exhibits - indeed there were some for sale, for example a full set standard bell weights from Norfolk, a nice set of bronze measures from Suffolk, and a nice standard bell weight from Bucks. The meeting was treated to an interesting talk by John Knights and John Cheesman, mainly about their memories of their lives as Weights and Measures inspectors, which was very well received. After lunch there was a 'Show and Tell', with the two Johns being reinforced by Norman Biggs and Diana Crawforth-Hitchins. Running through the day were a couple of 'guess the weight' competitions, and a weights & measures quiz, which kept the members entertained. A big thank-you to all the members who made this event possible.

The Falcon Hotel,Stratford upon Avon

Report:
The W&T Avery Ltd Theme

Apart from the formalities of the AGM, members presented displays of the more exotic and unusual scales made by that longstanding and prolific scale-maker W & T Avery (later W & T Avery Ltd) of Birmingham. This generated tremendous interest and the meeting literally hummed with chat as experts and novices discussed finer points.

During a question and answer session Jack White, in his own inimitable way, demonstrated how the positioning of the fulcrum knife-edges and bearings of a Roberval scale determined the accuracy and sensitivity especially where verification was necessary.

Afterwards, Albert Rangeley spoke to point out how Jack had proved that Mordan scales had a flawed design feature that precluded them being sufficiently accurate and sensitive to pass rigid verification requirements. He referred to them, in a disparaging way, as 'gilt toys' which is the term often used in old trade directories to describe such products.

Nevertheless Albert exhibited a truly wonderful display of the most attractive and ornate Mordan scales that drew a lot of attention from the ladies present at the meeting. All the examples displayed by Albert were immaculate with original gilding and correct weights.

Noel Scarratt displayed an immaculate, gleaming, and very rare Avery turret scale together with a pristine set of nine porcelain Avery weights from 7lb down to 1oz. Two Avery bread scales and three elegant globe weights were also included in Noel's display. Gerry Chellingworth had on show a very early Avery Beam Scale and a rare early Avery Stilliard - both were snapped up on the day by eager collectors. Diana Crawforth-Hitchins had extracted some interesting Avery examples from her extensive collection and was busy throughout the day dealing with queries as they arose.

Altogether an interesting, and often fascinating, day. Rewarding too for the lucky purchasers but for all undoubtedly a memorable day.

Ken Govier
January 2007