TWO directors of the Malvern porcelain firm had an audience with Pope Paul in the Vatican 25 years ago.
Terry Lewis and Keith Bufton were presenting the pontiff with a pair of Boehm-made Birds of Peace for display in the Vatican Museum, which already possessed other pieces from the firm.
The birds, life-size mute swans, were one of only three pairs ever made. One pair was presented by President Nixon to Chairman Mao in 1972, the other was given to the Smithsonian Institute.
In return for the gift of the swan, Pope Paul presented the firm with special medals, one for each employee, which he had personally blessed.
Boehm closed its Malvern factory in 1992, continuing operations in the USA.
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