In this year of thinking back over 40 years of the BSP, you may have been wondering how it was in the beginning. Please enjoy the recollections here below written by Eric Simco (now in his nineties!). Eric was himself President of the Society in 1966 and again in 1984. Old friends will be glad to know that Eric is very well even though he is not as mobile now as he used to be.
"The first meeting to consider a society was held on Friday December
7th 1962
Mr F.V. Wells was the convener.
The agenda was sent to S.G. Field, G. Hackforth Jones, W. Littlejohn,
R. Favre, H. Squire, Jack Pickthall, Rene Millon and Eric Simco.
On April 9th 1963 a meeting was held in Bannington Hotel, Bloomsbury.
Advice of this was sent out and there were 28 acceptances.
At this meeting
R. Favre was elected Chairman
S. Field was elected Vice Chairman
J. Pickthall was elected Secretary
V. Wand was elected Treasurer
Messrs Botfield, Holding, Landon and Simco were elected Committee members.
The most urgent and important requirement was to produce a book of rules.
This enormous task was carried out by J. Pickthall.
First subscription was £5/5/- (five pounds and five shillings)
and £2/2/-.
The first two lectures were at the Royal Society of Arts, and meetings followed at the Masons Arms in Maddox Street.
The first dinner dance was at the Martinez Restaurant on October 15th
1965, £2/2/- per head.
In 1967 this function was at the Hanover Grand.
The first Joint meeting with the S.C.S. was on Feb. 3rd 1966.
The first Joint Symposium with S.C.S. was at Eastbourne in 1970."
Since those heady days of 1963, the BSP has obviously come a long way.
We are indebted to the "founding fathers" for taking the initiative and
creating what continues to be a stimulating and thriving Society in which
members and non-members can participate in, learn about and enjoy our fascinating
industry.
If any of you would also like to share some experiences or anecdotes related to the history of the BSP or, more generally to perfumery, please feel free to send your drafts, notes or articles to the BSP newsletter.
Wessel-Jan Kos