Czech Republic visit 16th 17th October

I attended and gave two lectures at the centenary of the Czech Association of Textile Chemists and Colourist in Dvore Kralove nad Labem, about two hours drive east of Prague. One lecture was about the Society the other was how we can improve efficiency and colour communication through best practice. The Association is part of IFATCC, International Federation of Associations of Textile Chemists and Colorists and there were the Presidents of the Polish, German and Italian Associations also present at this event. I was invited to give a paper at the next International meeting in Italy in 2010. The events showed there is a keen interest for the remaining industries within Europe to share know how and improve the efficiencies of the remaining factories. We also visited where there was a plaque commemorating the start of the Association and a 16th century castle where the current family was also celebrating their centenary of ownership.

Visits this week

This week I attended the second RITE conference in London. (RITE is Reduced Impact of Textiles on the Environment). The SDC sponsored students to attend this conference and had a table at the exhibition manned by Anika and Quentin. The speakers varied from politicians, journalists, world wildlife fund and retailers to suppliers of genetically modified crops. The question and answer session was very stimulating and at times contentious. On Wednesday night I attended the Swan Dinner, invited by the Dyers Company. The dinner was held at the Cloth Workers Hall, another magnificent building in the City of London. I was made very welcome at this dinner in celebration of the Swan Uppings carried out in July. I sat next to my friend and ex President David Blackburn and a major in the Royal Signals whose regiment is sponsored by the Dyers Company. Please visit the Dyers Company Website for more of the history.

Visits in October

Since I have last written in my blog I have been very busy. We have now virtually completed a Visual Standard and Best practice guide for visual and instrumental assessment and have accredited two more tutors in the UK, and one in India for our Colour Management in Textile Diploma Courses. After a successful visit to Hong Kong in July we are returning in November to set up the training program there. Next week I am attending the RITE conference in London and then the Swan dinner at the Worshipful Company of Dyers in London. The week after next I am speaking at the North of England Region and then in Czechoslovakia at the Czech Textile and Colourist Association Centenary. I will certainly report back on all the events!