Margaret Wood trained firstly as a librarian from 1967 to 1969, and gained her Associateship of the Library Association.  Then as a professional calligrapher, illuminator 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 is also a member of the Society of Heraldic Arts and the Heraldry Society.

She worked for the Crown Office in the House of Lords, initially as a librarian and then as one of the QUEEN'S SCRIBES, from 1978 to 1987.  All the work carried out for the Crown comes from two sources, either from the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster, or the College of Arms.  The Crown Office employs calligraphers known as Queens' Scribes, of whom there are usually five.  Their job is to produce Illuminated Letters Patent creating Life Peers, Judges, Notaries Public, Kings of Arms and Heralds, which are signed by Royal Authorisation.  She also worked for the College of Arms, painting heraldry for several of the Officers of Arms, including John Brooke-Little, and the late Rodney Dennys and Sir Colin Cole.

She returned as a tutor at Reigate School of Art and Design, now part of East Surrey College, from 1979 to 1987.  In 1987 she moved to Somerset where she has established an enviable reputation as a teacher and is in much demand by Colleges of Adult Education, Community Education Centres and Calligraphy Groups as a resident tutor, and as a lecturer.

She accepts commissioned work from many different countries, which includes design and execution of formal documents on vellum and paper, calligraphy, manuscript painting, gilding and heraldic design and painting.  She also undertakes commissions for Letters Patent, illuminated addresses, scrolls and manuscript books for the Armed Services, County and Municipal Boroughs and the Church.  For private collectors commissions include manuscript books, geneological and armorial family trees and library paintings.

Her commercial work includes calligraphic and heraldic designs for reproduction.  Publishers' book jackets and titling, greetings cards, book token designs, bookplates and logo designs and graphics for television.  She is married to Anthony Wood and has one son by a previous marriage.

Full consultation & quotations gladly given.

Mrs Margaret Wood

Quillion House

Over Stratton,

South Petherton,

Somerset TA13 5LG

England

Telephone: 00 44 1460 241115

Email: quillion@btopenworld.com