DON GRAY DORSET, 1997

"As we stand on the threshold of the new millennium looking back into history we must marvel at what went before. Then to consider the materials and equipment of today and all the potential offered by communications technology. Surely the enthusiasm and stimulants of a gathering such as this will be translated into the innovations of tomorrow. I can do no better than refer to Owen Jones (1806 - 1889) architect, designer and teacher of Applied Arts, appointed Superintendent of Works for the Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace in 1851) who held strong convictions that historic and exotic styles were for inspiration rather than imitation and insisted on honesty to ones materials and soundness of craftsmanship, in short, artistic integrity".