Margaret Wood trained first as a librarian from 1967 to 1969 and gained her Associateship of the Library Association. Then as a professional calligrapher, illuminator and heraldic artist, on a full-time three year course at Reigate School of Art and Design from 1977 to 1980, where she gained a First Class Honours Diploma. In 1976 she was approved as a tutor by the Inner London Educational Authority and elected a Fellow of the Society of Scribes and Illuminators in 1977. She was a member of the Society of Heraldic Arts for ten years and Chairman of the Blackmore Vale Scribes for seven years. She retired from both Offices because of pressure of work.

     She worked for the Crown Office in the House of Lords, at the Palace of Westminster, initially as a librarian and then as one of the five QUEEN'S SCRIBES from 1978 to 1987, producing illuminated Letters Patent creating Notaries Public, Judges, Life Peers, Heralds and Kings of Arms. She also painted heraldry for several of the Officers at the College of Arms, including John Brooke-Little (Richmond Herald), Rodney Dennys (Somerset Herald), and Sir Colin Cole (Windsor Herald and later Garter Principal King of Arms).

     Margaret was a keen gardener, creating a beautiful garden at Quillion House out of rough farm land, and she was also well read and knowledgable about English literature in which she took a great delight.

     She returned as a tutor and visiting lecturer at Reigate School of Art and Design, now part of East Surrey College, from 1979 to 1987. She moved to Somerset in 1987 and established an enviable reputation as one of the best tutors of the Craft in the Country. She was in much demand at Colleges of Adult Education, Community Education Centres and Universities as a resident tutor and lecturer. Her ability as a teacher was extraordinary. She was able to encourage and inspire everyone she taught, and was regarded with enormous affection by all her students and everyone who met her. She had endless patience and understanding not only with her students` work but with their problems as individuals. She was someone who all felt able to turn to and confide in. Her work was sensitive and imaginative and is much prized by everyone who owns it.

     Her commissioned work included the design and execution of formal documents on vellum and paper, calligraphy, manuscript painting, gilding and heraldic design and painting. She also undertook commissions for Letters Patent, illuminated addresses and scrolls for the Armed Services, County and Municipal Boroughs and the Church. For private collectors, commissions included manuscript books, genealogical and armorial family trees and armorial library paintings.

     Her commercial work involved calligraphic and heraldic design for reproduction, publishers' book jackets and titling, greetings cards, book tokens, logo designs, and graphics for television and advertising.

     Her death will create a very great loss both to the craft and to all who knew her. She was married to Anthony Wood and had a son by her previous marriage.

     With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Thy servant Margaret, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting. Amen.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

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Grand Duke Vladimir    †    David Johnson    †    Back to OBITUARY

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John Simmons    †    Prince Bao Long    †    John Brooke-Little

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