'A WONDERFUL DAY OUT - FOR ALL THE FAMILY'

PICNIC AREAS / FREE CAR PARKING / QUALITY REFRESHMENTS

Wrest Park Craft & Design Festival

Wrest Park, Silsoe, Beds MK45 4HR

28th ,29th & 30th August 2010

ON THE HUNTING PARTY LAWNS WITHIN THE GARDENS.

By kind permission of the English Heritage.

Traditional classic skills & contemporary design-led crafts at one major event. Indulge yourself - or buy that special gift.

Browse & buy from a selection of glass, jewellery, art, leather, ceramics, wood, textiles, metal and more...

Displays / Familiar Exhibitors / Demonstrations / Wooden Lovespoons / The Saxon Village / Pot Throwing / Stonemasonry / Croquet / Music / About Wrest Park / How To Get There

Stunning views visitors can enjoy

ADMISSION: Adults £6.50, Senior Citizens £5.50.

Children (5-15yrs) £4.50, Under 5's FREE.

50% reduction for English Heritage Members.

All tickets are available on the gate

(no prebooking necessary)

10.00am - 5.30pm each day

Dogs welcome on leads.

If you wish to exhibit please email: exhibit@romorexhibitions.co.uk attaching images in jpeg format or write to PO Box 448 Bedford MK40 2ZP enclosing photographs and description of your work. All work must be made by the exhibiting crafts person. Thank you.

We are now accepting bookings for 2010

on display and for sale will include

Acrylics, Bird baths, Bookbinding, Celtic jewellery, Ceramics, Clocks, Coin miniatures, Collectors teddy bears, Contemporary jewellery, Cross-stitch, Cushions, Dichroic glass, Display cabinets, Earthenware, Fabric bags, Fashion accessories, Filligree coin jewellery, Glass & stainless steel sculptures, Gold & silver jewellery, Greetings cards, Hand-carved flowers, Hand-woven garments, Home baked cakes & slices, Jugs, Ladies fashions, Lamps, Leaded mirrors, Leather handbags & wallets, Leather drinking vessels, Oil paintings, Painted glass, Panels, Pastels, Pencil drawings & prints, Pewter, Picture frames, Porcelain, Pottery, Silk laminates, Stained glass mosaics, Stoneware, Sun dials, Tables, Tableware, Textiles, Treen, Walking sticks, Wall hangings, Watercolours, Willow baskets, Windsor chairs, Wooden toys, Woodturning, Wrought iron and much more.

A SELECTION OF THE EXHIBITORS YOU MAY RECOGNISE

1 Off Handbags, Andru Knitwear, Ann Benwell Stained Glass, Anything Grows, Artizyne, Bedfordshire Basket Makers, Bedfordshire Beekeepers Association, Bedfordshire Guild Of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers, Bexton Cheese, Blackthorn Workshops, Body & Soul, Bowbrook Studios, Caroline Richmond, Clare's Creations, Click On Nature, Coin Jewellery, Colins Turnery, Common Threads, Created and Felted, Dawn Knights Fine Silver Crochet Jewellery, Designs In Glass, Designs On Silk, Designs On You, Dragonet, Elisabeth Bailey, Elizabeth, Esther Rose Designs, Feather Graphics, Fluid By Design, F W Clark Stonemason, Gallardo & Blaine Designs Ltd, Giddygecko.com, Glass By Maxine, Guild Of Machine Knitters, Helen Odor, Hidebound Ltd, Jane McCormick Ceramics, Jenny Oates, John S. Gibb, Juko Designs, Katharine*Aleks, Leighton Forge, Lorna Henderson, Loup Jewellery, M & B Bromfield, Manocia Handmade Designs, Margaret Bolton, Marion Smith, Martin Green, MJK Woodcrafts, N & S Cheyette, Neringaci, Norman D Whiting, Old Hall Confectionery, Partners In Pewter, Pepperstock Archers, Peter Cosentino Ceramics, Potteryman, Ralph Hentall Spoonmaker, Romany Crafts From The Hedgerow, Romany Workshop, Ruben Bears, Ruby and The Crow, Sally Ratcliffe Jewellery, Sew Necessary, Silvia's Jewellery, Simmers Marketing, Socon Bookbinding, Sparkly Mary, Spinning With Jenny, Stephen & Sandra Smith Designs, Sticks & Stones, Susan Cariello, The Famous Tree Company, The Leatherworker, The Olive Branch, The Rug Studio, The Stubbington Workshop, Tony’s Wooden Toys, Vivaldi Jewellery, Wheal Rose Windsors, Wheatley Wood Craft, Wongsam Design & Woodnewton Pottery........

to name but a few...

LINKS

www.craftsman-magazine.com

www.yeoldehogroast.com

DESIGNS IN GLASS / MARK & DEBBIE WARDER

Contemporary kiln fired formed glass.www.designs-in-glass.co.uk /designsinglass.html

COLIN'S TURNERY / COLIN SMITH

Artistic and functional woodturning from native and exotic hardwoods. /colinsturnery.html

JANE McCORMICK CERAMICS / JANE & PETER McCORMICK

A unique range of hand decorated ceramics, inspired by English landscape scenes and the natural world. /janemccormick.html

COLIN BELL

Handmade walking sticks. /colinbell.html

CLARE DEAN / CLARE'S CREATIONS

Clare produces vibrant floral art using mixed media, watercolours & acrylics - also mugs, coasters & cards. www.clarescreations.co.uk

PAUL & DIANE WEIR / BEDFORDSHIRE BASKET MAKERS

Our extensive range of baskets are traditionally handmade to the highest standard using English willow. A specialist in bespoke baskets. Demonstrations and talks given to clubs and groups. www.craftmaker.co.uk/paulanddianeweir

MARY THORPE / SPARKLY MARY

The only maker in the world of vibrantly coloured hand painted silk laminates. Paintings, clocks, tablemats, jewellery and furniture. Entirely handmade. Simply stunning! www.marythorpe.co.uk

RUTH ORPEN / STICKS & STONES

Unique birthstone jewellery made and designed by Ruth. Crystals and minerals for health and well being. www.sticksandstones1.com

MARGARET BOLTON

Handforged jewellery and silverware all made in sterling silver.

JANET TOMS & SAMINA BEGUM

A collection of handbags, notebook covers and accessories using our unique woven fabrics. The fabrics are designed, woven and made into our products in our studios in Yorkshire.www.jukodesigns.co.uk

SILVIA SAPSFORD

Contemporary handmade jewellery with a unique look and feel. Silvia uses enamels on copper and silver; anodises aluminium to give a silk like look and weaves silver wire.

Report from Local News TV from Bedfordshire

Watch demonstrations of traditional and rural craft skills: Wheelwrighting, Bookbinding, Antique rug restoration, Willow basket making, Ceramics, Chairmaking, Clogmaking, Woodturning, Walking Stick making, Jewellery making, Spinning, Leatherwork, Pole lathe turning, Lovespoon carving, Watercolour painting, Pole lathe turning, Wooden toy making.........

and more.

FOOD & DRINK SPECIALISTS VILLAGE

A 'village' of producers of specialist food and drink products

Including Yorkshire Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oil - Finest quality Yorkshire rapeseed oil ideal for healthy cooking. Simmers Marketing - Dips, fruit cordials, ginger wine & ginger beer. Jolly Hucksters - mobile bar company, The Olive Branch - the finest olives, olive oils & anti-pasta of the Mediterranean. Woburn Country Foods - Fresh meats, speciality sausages, bacon, ham & venison. Bexton Cheese - Handmade farmhouse cheeses individually waxed and in various flavours. Just Strawberries - Delicious strawberries with cream or chocolate. Humbers Homemade - Jams, chutneys & preserves from local produce. Real Tea & Coffee Company - Speciality teas & coffee beans and luxury cookies. Harvest Food Ltd - Premium handmade pies, sweet & savoury. Meah's - Curry sauces. Chocolate On Chocolate - Beautiful & original luxurious handmade chocolates for every occasion.

MUSIC

The Beverley String Quartet - four professional musicians led by Ian Smith, to serenade you with a varied selection of music. Relax and enjoy a concert or stroll to a background of strings.

WOODEN FLOWER MAKING FROM THE HEDGEROWS

Romany crafts from the hedgerows, handed down through the generations.

RUG RESTORATION

Restoration demonstration of antique/old rugs & textiles. Bring your own piece for a free quotation & valuation.www.therugstudio.co.uk

ARCHERY

Pepperstock Archers invite you to meet them and to try your hand at this ancient sport. Full tuition & safety equipment provided.

THE GUILD OF MACHINE KNITTERS

Demonstrations and hands on opportunities with The Guild Of Machine Knitters, They will also be displaying knitted items such as suits, coats, christening gowns, bags, cushions and blankets. The Guild aims to raise awareness of the craft and encourage and foster its members to a high standard.

TRADITIONAL & HISTORICAL SPOONMAKING

An exhibition of wooden spoons and associated customs and ceremonies from around the world. Ralph will be demonstrating wooden spoon making throughout the day For more visit romorexhibitions.co.uk/ ralphhentall.html

CLOGMAKING

Jeremy Atkinson - the last traditional green wood hand carving clogmaker in Britain. Bespoke clogs, 19th century style.

STONEMASONRY

Specialist demonstration of stonework carving, repair & restoration.

CROQUET

Members of the Wrest Park Croquet Club will be playing matches each day between 2.00pm and 5.00pm plus the chance to 'have a go' yourself.

POT THROWING

Visitor Comments

"This was without doubt one of the best shows I have ever attended - we definitely plan to go again next year"

"Having visited Wrest Park for the second consecutive year, I would like to commend you again on the superb organisation to make this such a splendid day out, in an environment with such a wonderful (almost magical) and delightful ambience."

"May I express my thanks for Nicholas the Mail Maker, his presentation was well worth the cost of admission by itself"

"An excellent show - beautifully laid out and in a great venue. The standard of exhibitors work was refreshingly high"

"At last - a craft fair where we could meet the crafts people and talk to them about their craft and even learn a liitle bit from them."

"Good variety of crafts and wonderfully friendly staff & exhibitors - thank you for a great day out"

Exhibitor Comments

"Thank you for a lovely setting. We've done well & appreciate the good organisation"

"I would like to say how much we enjoy the shows organised by yourselves. We love the super setting and have thoroughly enjoyed the weekends. Your organisation of such large events is superb"

"Thank you for providing us with the opportunity to sell our crafts at Wrest Park. It proved to be our best weekend's trading ever! What a smashing show in every way!"

"I really enjoyed my first year at Wrest Park. I have to congratulate you on your professionalism and friendliness"

"Many thanks for Wrest Park - we did enjoy it - lovely atmosphere, nice people - and a healthy profit!"

"We very much enjoy coming to Wrest Park. We have always found this event exceptionally well organised and friendly"

THE SAXON VILLAGE

Bringing history to life, this educational group, formed in 1986, are fascinated with the craft skills, technologies and everyday lives of past peoples. From their traditional-style tents, in full authentic costumes they will present skills.

The Saxon Village people may vary at this event

Peter the Lantern Maker - lighten your life - there were two main types of lantern, those with windows and those with a pattern of punched holes (thousand eye lanterns). The word lantern may have come from the two main materials used in its construction, that is latten (thin brass sheet) and horn for the windows.

Nicholas the Mail Maker - a link with the past and another and another! - made from drawn iron wire, shaped into rings and linked together to form mail. A very ancient form of body armour, though still in use in Tudor times.

Runar the Woodsman & Rune Carver - oak and ash, futhark and futhork - runes are an ancient and magical form of lettering that was originally designed, not to be written but to be carved into wood. Runar is deep in the knowledge of wood and rune lore.

Brother Stephen the Calligrapher - parchment oak galls and quills - Tytyvyllus willing - the scrivener, well practised in the skills, sits in his tent busy writing out important ducuments, charters and perhaps poems. Now and again he stops to cut a new quill. He is in need of a new apprentice and will have an eye for a likely person to try their hand with a quill.

Master Colin the Pewterer - holiday souvenirs (Holy-day souvenirs) - skillfully cutting his stone moulds. Using a small brazier, he melts and pours metal into stone and cuttle fish moulds to produce examples of pilgrim badges, livery badges, belt hangers, buckles and pins. His wife offers his wares for sale to the public.

Alys the Green Woman - worts & banes - herbs in medieval times had many uses - flavouring food, medicine, keeping away vermin, cleaning of clothes - the list is endless. Individuals either treated themselves with family recipes, visited travelling bonesetters and herb women or were helped by those in religious orders. Apothecaries purchased herbs and roots collected by wandering 'green men and women'.

Costume Maker - kirtles, liripipes, daggs & partlets- a display of hand sewn costumes from the Saxons & Vikings to the Early Tudors. Did they have pockets? Did they have underwear? How were clothes made? Who did the cutting & how were the customers measured?

Shoe & Leather Bottle Maker - Medieval England was famous for the making of leather. Every town had a variety of leather craftsmen. Shoe makers were only allowed to use certain kinds of leather. They produced such items as latchet poulaines, mules and slashed shoes. The leather bottle maker supplied costrols, bombards, blackjacks and many other kinds of leather containers. As these items do not break when dropped they were much used by pilgrims, soldiers and sailors and other travellers.

Narrow Ware Weaving - belts, garters, fillets and fripperies - the making of bands using different techniques, tablet weaving, finger looping, lucette and ridged heddle weaving. Tablet weaving is a craft that has been known since about 400 years B.C. so spans the ages. Narrow wares were used for, amongst other things, belts, garters, fillets, edging costume, point laces, purse strings and seal ribbons. Braids were woven in wool, linen, silk and sometimes a combination of all three.

Explore the myths and truths of life in Medieval England with these colourful characters.

The appearance of this large eighteenth century French-style mansion surprises and delights visitors. It was designed by its’ owner, Earl de Grey and built 1834-1839 on the site of an earlier mansion belonging to the family. Its’ creation prompted the development of formal gardens near the house. The surrounding woodland garden had been developed over several previous generations. Three distinct gardening styles can be seen: the mysterious but inviting early eighteenth century woodland garden either side of the Long Water, the natural style garden made popular by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and the more formal flower gardens in the French-style. The many attractions of Wrest Park provide hours of pleasure and interest for all the family. See the 18th century Bowling Green house with its’ stucco decoration, the rustic bath house with pebble pavement and knucklebone floor, the Chinese bridge, a pagan altar, lakes, rivers, lawns...... There is no end to the pleasures of Wrest Park.

Wrest Park is situated midway between Bedford and Luton, on the A6.

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ROMOR EXHIBITIONS LIMITED, 2009