Storm Amy was approaching as Lindsay Society for the History of Dentistry members began to gather at the Woodland Grange Hotel and Conference Centre, Leamington Spa. This was to be our 63rd annual conference and after settling into our rooms and registering our arrival by collecting programmes and lanyards we were treated to the first of many delicious meals.
As friends from far and wide were spotted much conversation was to be had exchanging news and catching up – with some newer attendees settling into the weekend. Not all the talk was about dentistry – line dancing struck a chord with several people and even led to a couple of steps being performed by our esteemed secretary! An evening in the bar followed for some whilst others returned to their rooms to prepare for the start of the conference proper on the following day.
At 9am proceedings opened with a Welcome from the President, Helen Nield who then introduced the first speaker, Peter Dyer. Peter gave us a personal insight into the life of dentist Eric Cooper. As a prisoner of war in Colditz he treated both the prisoners and the guards, hiding the fact that an escape tunnel was being built under his dentist’s chair! One lasting legacy of the war for him was his determination never again to feel hunger. In complete contrast the next talk, given by Brian Williams with dental technician George Morgan described the tale of a child’s denture (or was it?) sent to the BDA Museum with an accompanying tin of boyhood memorabilia supposedly the property of a young lad from the late 19th century. With much regret and after much discussion the museum volunteers came to the conclusion that it was a fake. It had in fact been sent in by George as a test of his own skill.
After a short coffee break Professor Andrew Spielman of New York University gave us an insight into the amazing number, variety and misleading nature of dental eponyms, showcasing a small portion of his research. Xavier Riaud, a well known French dental historian followed with a talk about the facial injuries suffered by Napoleon’s soldiers and their treatment. He focused especially on the work of Dominique-Jean Larrey, his flying ambulances and the way he used needles and sutures to stitch facial wounds together.
The morning finished with a whistlestop slideshow of Royal Leamington Spa through the ages given by local historian and tour guide, Barry Franklin.
A visit to the Lord Leycester Hospital in nearby Warwick had been arranged for the afternoon, and fascinating it was too. It has been a home for a small number of retired soldiers since the 16th Century under the purview originally of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. However, the site was originally used in the 1300s by the United Guilds of Warwick. Their main guild hall still survives complete with oak beamed ceilings. A guided tour was followed by some welcome tea and cake.
After a brief couple of hours for rest back at the Grange it was time for the Conference Dinner. A chance for us all to relax, sit and enjoy a three course meal together.
The following morning’s session began at nine – a bit too early for some! But the first lecture was an intriguing tale of how genealogical research can turn up a rogue and was entertainingly delivered by dentist and genealogist, John Parkinson. Dental inventor, Dr Chris Turner followed with an overview of dental instrument manufacturing and design. It was surprising to learn just how much is involved in creating even the simplest piece of equipment. Just before the coffee break Rachel Bairsto and Helen Nield the heads of the BDA Museum and Library respectively gave a presentation on the work involved packing and moving these unique collections into storage following the sale of the BDA’s building at 64 Wimpole Street.
Damian Walmsley was our last speaker. He gave us a slideshow tour of some of his thousands of photos of BDA museum objects taken before they were packed away. Some alarming images were shown of various dental products marked “poison” with very little indication of precisely how much of each should be used in any procedure! Slides covered the weird, the wonderful and the “what’s that??!!”
The conference finished with the Society’s AGM during which Peter Dyer was nominated and accepted as our new President. He will serve for the next two years.
A well-organised, interesting, convivial, thought provoking and successful weekend had come to an end. We’re already looking forward to next year…!
