LOOKING at the table meticulously set before us our speaker Mr Jeff Ford transported us to another world of the skilful ancient craft of enamelling, which is a fusion of glass to metal under high heat.

Used by the Egyptians 1,500 BC for use in bricks and pottery, also 6-9 BC bronze and ancient metals were used by early civilisation as we find in excavation digs.

This began as a hobby for Mr Ford in 1968; his workshop is in an alpine hut at the base of his Brownshill garden.

Demonstrating, we saw small pieces of glass pulverised in a pestle and mortar becoming powder ready for use, six colours to every shade, kept in small pots.

Working only in copper, although other metals can be used, the pattern was cut by strong pliers, cleaned with wire wool, beaten and chased into shape.

Using a small brush polycell was painted over the surface where a mixture of light blue powdered glass was sieved onto the surface and left a moment to get a gloss before a darker shade of royal blue was added and small frits, pieces of glass, gently set on top, this was placed over a grill heated to a high degree, over 700C, using propane gas.

After cooling a metamorphosis took place as beautiful jewel like colours emerged and patterns unique to this item.

Seven to eight techniques are used, skills passed down from the Venetians.

Some techniques are as follows; stencils, sgraffito, basse-taille, champleve, grisaille and plique-a-jour.

Throughout his demonstration not a sound was heard as our WI ladies were mesmerised and transfixed, so unusual for us.

Workshops are held in the alpine hut in Mr Ford's garden.

A very warm round of applause followed and Josie Street gave a vote of thanks, saying it was a "spellbinding, absolutely absorbing evening".

The competition winner was new member PamKidgell.

Business was brief but sad, news of the passing of two loyal WI members, Nancy Tuck and Dorothy Cridland, our sincere thoughts and prayers go to their families.

Skittles were won, the next round is Monday, July 21.

Early news, the Baton reaches us on March 17, 2015.

We next meet in Upton St Leonard's Village Hall on Monday, August 4, 7.30pm for our Summer Social Evening with favourite recipes and food to eat.