The Chapter Fall meeting was held at The Holiday Inn, Boxborough Woods, Massachusetts, on Saturday, October 9, 1999.

Doug Cowan, NAWCC First Vice President, visited Chapter Eight to meet Chapter members and share with us some of the issues that are of concern to us. He also met with The Chapter Eight Council on Friday Evening before the meeting to review the current state of affairs of our National Association.

There were 74 tables and 309 members and their guests, and the trading in the mart was good.

Doug Cowan, presented the morning workshop "Identifying and Collecting Carriage Clocks". There was a full house for this comprehensive workshop, with good quality slides and was very well presented. He provided us with the criteria and ability to identify different periods and value to avoid costly mistakes. Cowan's interest in clocks began after reading "In Quest of Clocks" by Kenneth Ullyet. Chapter 159 's newsletter "The British Horological times "describes Doug Cowan as "collects, talks, writes, dreams and hunts English clocks and watches".--very true. To join British Horology Chapter 159, write to Doug Cowan, 110 Central terrace Cincinnati OH 45215 email dccowan@juno.com. Doug Cowan, next National President Of the NAWCC, is President and CO-Founder of Chapter 159 (British Horology), past President of National's Long Range Planning Committee, and a Member of the Program Committee. He is a retired corporate President and engineer.

Today's luncheon speaker was Patrick Putten, and his presentation could well have been have been called "Auctions are for rich people" but as Putten pointed out there many different levels of auctions, all of which, are open to the public and urged us all to attend. He revealed the "what drives an auction " and the differences between EBAY and auctions. The slide show presentation reviewed highlights of past auctions and the prices they were sold for. After lunch Patrick examined Members' watches and gave informal appraisals. Putten is a Swiss National whose family has been involved in the watch industry for three generations. Following Seven years management experience at Rolex Watch, he is now responsible for running Christie's Watch Department in New York and its tri-annual sales of fine and rare watches.

The afternoon Workshop-presented by Laurie Penman "Problems of Old Tall-Clock Movements." Penman and his son Jerry (a "two fer" team!) discussed typical failings of early good-quality English grandfather movements, and introduced his plans for a millennium clock .We discussed the design of his new movement, improvements of escapements and replacement versus conservation. Laurie Penman, fresh from his sold-out clock repair seminar with Steve Conover. Trained as a mechanical engineer, he works as a clock restorer, tutor to hundreds of other repairers and restorers, and author of several popular books on clock design and repair; has a workshop in Devon, England. For the web browsers, click onto Penman's site at www.penman-totnes.co.uk it's well worth the visit.

The attendance was a little below the yearly average, but nevertheless it was an excellent meeting, thanks in part for Tom McIntyre, the afternoon workshop presenter, who stepped down to let Laurie Penman take his place. Thanks to Burt Kassap for delivering Laurie and Jerry Penman to the hotel -- maybe Bert should be appointed Chapter Transportation Officer! And last but not the least ,YOU, the members -- without you there would be no meeting!

Don't forget to mark your Calendars for the picnic. Year 2000 is Chapter Eight's Fiftieth Birthday. Part of the celebration will be an Anniversary picnic at Bowen House Woodstock, Connecticut, on August 5, 2000. Bob Frishman the program Chairman is working hard to make this event a grand affair.

Holiday Inn, Boxborough Woods, Massachusetts. The Hotel is located on the east side of Route 1-495 at exit 28. Those desiring overnight lodging should contact the hotel directly at 978-263-8701.

The Chapter hospitality suite will be open on Friday, at 5.00pm -- ask at the front desk.

Registrations before October 4, 1999 are $18.
Registrations received after October 4, 1999 and "walk-ins" will be $25.
As always, registration includes your luncheon and is required for participation in any of the meeting activities.

The Presidents Corner--Larry Chelmow

I'm looking forward to this meeting as the fall is such a wonderful time of the year in New England. I'm hoping our typically great weather and foliage encourage many members to take a weekend drive to attend this meeting and participate in what will be a particularly interesting program. I'm still studying the results of the survey from the last newsletter and will be able to discuss some of the results at the meeting. Your council does feel that the basic format of workshops and presentations mart, and a luncheon should continue. Obviously, we must be able to do this at reasonable costs. Our goal is still to have the Chapter provide something for everyone.

We are also fortunate to have Doug Cowan, First Vice President of NAWCC, attending this meeting. Doug will be looking forward to meeting and talking to as many members as possible. I'm hoping to see you at the meeting. As usual, please feel free to call me with any thoughts, criticisms ,or comments. My telephone number is (781) 828-1626.

Speaker Biographies at today's meeting:

Doug Cowan, next National President Of the NAWCC, is President and co-Founder of Chapter 159 (British Horology), past President of National's Long Range Planning Committee, and a Member of the Program Committee.He is a retired corporate President and engineer.

Patrick Puton, is a Swiss National whose family has been involved in the watch industry for three generations. Following seven years management experience at Rolex Watch, he is now responsible for running Christie's Watch Department and its tri-annual sales of fine and rare watches.

Laurie Penman, fresh from his sold-out clock repair seminar with Steve Conover, has kindly offered to attend our meeting before he heads back to his home and workshop in Devon, England. Trained as a mechanical engineer, he works as a clock restorer, tutor to hundreds of other repairers and restorers, and author of several popular books on clock design and repair. Copies of his latest books will be available for sale and signing at our workshop.

Chapter Eight's SILENT AUCTION
There is no charge to join the auction, Sellers, write the item description with a minimum bid. Buyers can then write larger bids. At 11:15 when the auction ends, Sellers and high bidders settle directly.

5% of the selling price donated to the chapter funds.---Plan to bring an item to auction.

RAFFLE :-Open to all Registered Members --no walks-ins
prize :- one meeting registration and one free mart table.
The drawing open to all registered members.(no walk-ins)
must be present to win --non-transferable

Program for 1999:
January 29, 2000, Chapter meeting; at Sturbridge Host Hotel
April 15, 2000, Chapter meeting; at Manchester NH Holiday Inn

We will hear expert presentations about the first makers, owners and home settings of early Boston area timekeepers, as well as have special tours of the museum. Watch for sign up information accompanying the October meeting notice.

Mark your calendars now