Belle Letters launched through Canty scheme

Press, 15 February 1989, Page 39

Belle Letters launched through Canty scheme

By NEILL BIRSS Launching a young lady from the world of letters as a businesswoman was a task of this year’s Canterbury Enterprise Scheme course. The scheme, organised by the Canterbury Development Corporation, provides three weeks of fulltime training and six weeks later a small refresher course. Those put through the course are chosen from the many applicants for the scheme each year. Sponsoring firms and organisations help with lecturers, facilities, and cash. Maryßose Leversedge is about to launch courses in lettering, aimed at those who use it in their occupations; such as antique dealers, florists, and secretaries. This is not the business idea Maryßose took into the scheme. Her plan was to make writing sets for sale. Many students change their plans during the course as fellow students and lecturers probe the potential of their product and test the pro-

motion plan. Maryßose noticed that almost every lecturer who talked to the group apologised for his or her writing, and from this sprang her alternative plan: tuition in writing and lettering — the development of a legible hand for those willing to PayWord processors have failed, as typewriters did, to eliminate handwriting from business. But few would deny that written notes and letters have steadily become less legible throughout the century. Some companies may hire Maryßose for a week or two of classes for those whose staff write poorly. The wise employers will join the classes themselves. Maryßose studied at the City and Guilds of London Art School from 1985 to 1987, obtaining its Diploma in Lettering. Her entrepreneurial flair showed there. The New Zealand arts grant that financed her proved far too little and she worked as the caterer

at the school to make ends meet. Earlier she had almost finished a science degree in psychology at the University of Canterbury. On her return to Christchurch she completed her degree taking as one of her courses a unit in business administration. This led Maryßose to the goal of her own business and the Canterbury Enterprise Scheme as a stepping stone. She describes the course as "excellent value.” For Maryßose, her business goals coincide with a liking for art, craft, and the sensitivities of earlier centuries. She sees plenty of room for her skills in the computer age. As well as seeing benefits in the use of a microcomputer for her business, Maryßose is at ease designing hand-lettered sets of business cards and letterheads, the latter which will sit atop many a letter from a word processor.