Members from several U3As were among the large audiences at the two illustrated lectures on the cleaning of the famous Silver Swan. In the first we saw the swan in skeletal form. The whole familiar setting had been dismantled. Every single part, no matter how small, had been carefully measured, photographed and logged. At the beginning of the month the silver and glass rods were being cleaned and repaired. The graceful neck has no less than 113 silver rings. Each takes about 2 hours to bring back to standard. 140 fine glass rods make up the water feature. Each has to be cleaned out. By the time the second lecture came at the end of the month the three clockwork mechanisms had been broken down and repaired and we were shown the very fine chain system used to bring the magic to life. The chains are only about a quarter the thickness of a match – some even less. All is now ready for re-assembly and should be operating by the time the Silver Swan Soirée event takes place late in November. Sandy
 

Sandy on
01325 384 496
Or
Sheila on
01325 302 462