From the Archives - the Lectern

The Lectern

The reading desk, or lectern, used each week, was presented to the Club on 1^st November, 1951 by members H.L.Gradon and G.E.Fawcus.  The lectern is made from a number of different woods from around the world, and the meeting book (preserved in the Durham County Record office) records the actual woods used - and where - in a neatly typed list pinned to the page:-
            2 ends - English oak 900 years old
            2 bases - mahuku (Africa)
            1 top - silver grey wood (India)
            1 centre rail - Honduras Mahogany (S. America)
            1 bead edge - jarrak (Australia)
            2 turned roses - rosewood (Singapore)
            1 Rotary crest - sycamore (Canada)
            1 name plate - walnut (France).

The meeting book goes on to record that the lectern was designed by Mr. J. S. Griereson and was made by Mr. A. Kirk who were visitors to the Club that day.  Their skills were warmly acknowledged by the members present.