Heritage Skills Fair Success.

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Artist Sarah Graves helping visitors contribute to community mosaic.
Artist Sarah Graves helps visitors contribute to community mosaic that will be installed on Gainsborough’s riverside.

Gainsborough was a hive of activity on Saturday, 13 July, as the second Heritage Skills Fair came to town. 

Organised by West Lindsey District Council, traditional tradespeople and crafters were invited to showcase their skills in the town’s historic market place as well as giving visitors a chance to have a go themselves. Visitors could also browse and buy and range of unique, handcrafted gifts, plus enjoy entertainment from DeMowbray’s Musicke.

Over 20 traders and demonstrators attended the fair with a range of different skills including pole lathe turning, clay work, felting, wool spinning, willow weaving, stained glass, punch needle work, and more. They stood alongside the town’s regular Farmers’ and Craft Market traders which takes place on the second Saturday of each month. 

Chairman of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Stephen Bunney was pleased to see residents engaged with the event. He said: 

"It’s great to be able to offer an event that has so many interactive elements for all ages. Our heritage is an important element of our work and to protect and promote it is a fantastic thing."

Event organiser Theresa Workman was thrilled with how popular the event was. She said: 

"The heritage skills fair has evolved, since we did it for the first time last year, into a significant gathering of our region’s gifted heritage trades and professions. 

"It has certainly caught the interest of the local community and those who have travelled from as far as London, Yorkshire and Kent.  The crowds here today have brought the traditional market area to life, and we hope that the continuing restoration of this shopping area will ensure that people return again and again."

Visitors enjoyed finding out about the various trades and crafts as well as taking part in the hands-on activities that were on offer. Sheryl who lives in Gainsborough said: 

"It’s nice to do something different. You don’t get to do this kind of stuff every day."

Alison and Andy Robins from Lea also attended last year’s fair and said: 

"Always fantastic. We are always impressed by West Lindsey and the events they put on.”

Louise visited the event with her mum after dropping in to pick something up at the jewellers. She said: 

"We slowed down and spent extra time in town exploring all the amazing skills and crafts on display. Where else would you get a handcrafted walking stick, see leather bags being made, beautiful flowers, fruit and veg, felting and ceramics. We even stopped in at shops we wouldn’t normally visit! The fabric shop is amazing - an Aladdin’s cave we didn’t know much about before! And we found antiques shops we didn’t know about before!

"The atmosphere and vibrant atmosphere meant we slowed down, spent more time and money and came away chatting about it and told friends. Normally a trip to town is transactional - I’m going in for x, get it and leave. To have an event to spend time at and take pleasure in browsing, chatting, socialising as well as shopping was a delight.

"Thank you for bring that vibrancy to Gainsborough again - we’d love to know when the next event like this is - it’s a date for the diary! Please keep organising these events - it makes Gainsborough a treat to visit."

Visitors travelled to visit the popular event, whilst others were staying with friends and family. Sam from Sheffield came with her friends Helen and Jamie, who was visiting them from London. She said: 

"It’s been really good to have a go at something. We also really enjoyed listening to the medieval music. It’s been a really nice event."

Visitors of all ages were welcome to have a go at the various activities available. Ollie from Gainsborough attended with his mum and dad, Ameilia and Rick after seeing pictures of the event on Facebook. Ameila was delighted to see Ollie so enthusiastic about taking part. She said: 

"We came down especially to take part. Ollie doesn’t like to leave the house very often but when he saw people making the clay pieces, he wanted to come straight down and have a go. It’s nice to see him so enthusiastic about something.”

Alison Walling from Lincolnshire Willow was a demonstrator at the event. She added: 

"It has been an enjoyable day. People have come specifically for the event and it’s nice to talk to people who are interested in my work.”

Lawrence White from Shedtime Handcrafted Leatherwork was delighted to return to the event. He said: 

"We’ve had lots of brilliant conversations with so many engaged and interested people, there to see the wealth of local talented crafts people displaying their varied skills. Everyone is enjoying themselves."

The Heritage Skills Fair was also the start of the council’s community mass participation project which involves the public contributing to a large mosaic which will be installed on Gainsborough’s riverside. 

Sarah Graves from MaryMary Mosaics is the artist leading on the project. She said: 

"We had a successful first day and it was lovely to see so many people sticking down their contributions to Gainsborough’s new community mosaic. I’m looking forward to welcoming more people at future sessions."

The mosaic will depict King Canute who was the son of Sweyn Forkbeard, the King of Denmark. When Forkbeard conquered England in 1013, Gainsborough became capital of England for five weeks until his untimely death. Canute is thought by some to have returned to Gainsborough when he succeeded his father as King and attempted to command the tidal bore of the Aegir on the Trent which flows through the town.

There will be more opportunities to take part in this community project at a later date. For regular updates, follow West Lindsey District Council on FacebookX and Instagram, or visit their website for the latest news.

The Heritage Skills Festival has been organised by West Lindsey District Council as part of the National Lottery funded Townscape Heritage Initiative, which is underway to restore Gainsborough’s historic shops. Thank you to all players of the National Lottery.

Visit Gainsborough Townscape Heritage Initiative for more information.

Visit Farmers' and Craft Market for more information about Gainsborough’s monthly Farmers’ and Craft Markets visit:

To find out what’s on in West Lindsey visit our Events Page.

For the latest news on West Lindsey District Council visit our council news pages

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