JK Rawlings writes her prose on Velum parchment in The Tales of Beadle the Bard

As an Artist, I applaud JK Rawlings production of her manuscripts 'The Tales of Beadle the Bard'. To me they are her conscious reflection of our need as people, to be responsible for our actions, and in this light be able to make a difference. The proceeds of her sales, going to charity for example. I also felt whilst reading The Harry Potter books to my children, Albus Dumbledore was and is, an excellent role model. Kind, intelligent, compassionate, far thinking, wise and I am sure he would have made his boyfriend/husband very happy.

However I need to clear something up. Radio 4 described Velum as paper in a interview with the author, which is wrong. I believe we are responsible for the materials we use, the impact this has on the environment, and the animals in our care.

Calligraphers are aware of the finesse necessary for their craft, and they are also aware of the materials needed for the finest of finishes. Velum is a prime parchment and the finest is produced from the tract of skin which follows the path of the spine, from the head to tail, of a new born, or in some cases still born calf. This product is referred to as slunk or slunk-skin and is not a paper, as Radio 4 would have us believe, but a prepared animal skin, or parchment. Here is the science bit. Paper is produced by the pulping of vegetable fibres comprised of cellulose, the primary structural component of green plants, not collagenous*, elastic and reticular fibres, formed from a cell layer, called the basal lamina and found in only one source - living or dead animals. Radio 4 found this distinction hard to bear and has referred to Velum as Paper which is incorrect.

It take less energy to produce parchment than paper and considering we incinerate a vast majority of hide produced in this country, and the current Global issues we face with climate change, it seems wise for us to review the way we use our resources. Trees lock in carbon, burning releases it, hides can be composted or eaten, you do the the math and ask the question which would be the better choice.



* ( Collagen, commonly used in cosmetic surgery is produced by boiling up cow or other hides. )