The Society’s Records

Gel Brigden

← People of the Society · on record 1964–1985

Everything the Society’s own records say of Gel Brigden — the offices held, the standings conferred, and the awards won — gathered on one page. Where the records are silent, so is this one.

In memoriam · 20 December 1988

A Life Member and Associate (1974) of the Society for all of its 39 years by the Fall 1988 obituary's count, and, during his long service on the C.N.E. Board of Directors, the man who persuaded the Board and Administration to set up the Arts, Crafts, Hobbies Show — which grew from a small start into its own building. Also active in weaving, silversmithing, pottery and woodcarving; many C.S.C.L. Executive meetings were held at the Brigdens' Forest Hill home. Died 20 December 1988, a week short of a year after his wife Lorna, in his 91st year (Fall 1988 newsletter, p. 3). The newsletter gives his full given name, Geldard, in the obituary's own heading; the Society knew him elsewhere as Gel, the form the archive already used for his 1975 Life Membership and his Associate designation, and keeps for continuity.

From Fall 1988, page 3.

Also recorded as Cal Brigden, Gel Bridgen, Gel Brigdon, Geldard Brigden

Standing

Toronto Branch Member 1979

Branch

Toronto · listed as a member in 1979

Certification

Honorary Associate of the CSCL 1974
Distinct from his ordinary Associate standing, also 1974 (see his other row) -- printed as a separate honour, an Honorary Associate Certificate awarded on the Executive Council's recommendation.
Associate of the CSCL 1974

A member since the Society's founding, taught by Reta Larmour, he served for many years on its Executive Council, was named an Associate in 1974 and given an Honorary Associate Certificate the same year for his service, and was made a Life Member in 1985. As a member of the C.N.E. Board of Directors, he proposed and championed the Arts, Crafts and Hobbies show that opened in 1964 and chaired the building that housed it He served on the Ribbons committee of the Tenth International Assembly of Leathercraftsmen, 1964, where the committee list prints him “Cal Brigden”; he died in 1988, and the 42nd Annual Meeting programme of 1992 carries a line “Gel Brigdon Estate”.

From Fall 1988, page 3; Autumn 1963, page 2; and 42nd Annual Meeting 1992 — programme, Beacon Motor Inn, Jordan Station (Vineland), page 7.

Served the Society as

10th Assembly Committee - Ribbons 1964
Executive Council 1964–1975
Council 1976–1979

Honours

Honorary Associate Certificate 1974
Presented at the 24th Annual Meeting, hosted by Belleville at the Holloway Street United Church, 4 May 1974, “recognizing his many years of service to the Executive Council.” The same meeting awarded the Weston Trophy to the Barrie Branch, the Zalitis Pin to Joyce Poulson, and Associate standing to Joyce Poulson and Howard Brock Sr. Full given name Geldard, per his 1988 memorial.
Life Membership 1985
Presented at the 35th Annual Meeting by Membership Chairperson Hilda Chynoweth. A separate honour from his 1974 Honorary Associate Certificate. Fred Brown’s profile of him (Fall 1985, pp10–11) adds: leathercraftsman, weaver, silversmith, potter, wood and soapstone sculptor, pewter worker and enamellist; nephew of the Canadian artist Fred Brigden; a member since the Society’s beginning, taught by Reta Larmour; Vice-President of Brigden Ltd. until his retirement c. 1965; as a C.N.E. Board of Directors member proposed and championed the Arts, Crafts and Hobbies show that opened in 1964, and chaired the building that housed it.

Demonstrations given

Small Articles 1965
15th Annual
From Spring 1965.

Where this comes from

This name in the index of people →