Well, after all the work and preparation, and after weeks of waiting, my panel was finally assessed on Wednesday this week. It was quite a sombre affair as several Fellows of the Institute took their time to assess not just the panel of images but also the Working Profile and all the supporting evidence that has to be provided. They had each spent the last few weeks reading through not just this material but I had also included the Contextual Document from my MA so that no doubt had kept them busy as well. Now they were presumably comparing notes and assessing the overall presentation, content, context and of course, the panel of images.

They seemed to spend ages in that room discussing it whilst I paced up and down outside wondering how long it was all going to take. Another member arrived with his Licentiate panel to be assessed and he was even more nervous than me so we chatted over coffee to try and pass the time and calm the nerves. Eventually, my name was called and I went in to face the music.

I think they asked me some questions but to be honest, I can't remember much about that part. I just remember Chris Harper, the BIPP CEO, shaking my hand and smiling saying 'Congratulations - you are now a Fellow of the Institute' . I also remember throwing my arms around poor Eric Jenkins, who has been my mentor since I first gained my Licentiateship, thanking him for his continued help and support. I could not have done it without him - he is such a lovely person with the patience of a saint. I am also still indebted to Ray Lowe, another Fellow who was my first mentor, who saw in me some potential and who also identified what I could not see at the time but which led to me taking the route I did.

Thanks Eric and thanks Ray!

For those interested, you can see my qualifying panel of images at Fellowship Panel