Report and pictures by Stewart Wall.
It has proved popular since it started, but this year’s attendance figures at Caistor’s Art and Crafts Festival impressed everyone.
Hundreds of visitors turned out to see the artwork on show at the Town Hall over the weekend (September 5 and 6, 2015), and to buy some of the beautifully crafted goods on sale at the stalls.
Exhibitor Hazel Ann, of gemdesignbyhand from Brookenby, told The Citizen she had been on the verge of giving up after poor results from other shows but Caistor revived her. She even had people come to her stand who were visiting from South Africa.
On Hazel’s Facebook page (click here) she writes that she makes hand-crafted jewellery such as necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, but “I really love making bridal bouquets and fascinators,with semi-precious gemstones.”
Her stand certainly glittered and one nine-year-old girl was pleased to find a birthday gift made out of coral for a friend.
Charlotte Linsell, a former Deputy Headteacher at Caistor Grammar School for many years, had a stand near Hazel and was selling hand-made boxes, including some very clever designs that folded in intricate ways. Charlotte’s stand was near the windows in the Town Hall and she was enjoying the September sun as it streamed in – having just returned from a month’s trip to the Arctic Circle.
The Art Exhibition was well represented, with nearly 350 pieces from all age groups including nine-year-olds Jonathan Broster and Jessica Wall. They both sold images. Jessica is pictured showing her work to friend Martha Bates and one of the festival organisers, Sheila Broster. Sadly, Jonathan was not at the show when we were there.
All the exhibition visitors were invited to vote for their favourite work and this year’s prize went to Diane Hill with “Autumn”. Caistor Mayor Carol Mackenzie also chose her favourite, which was Les Porter with Buskers on Board – a piece described by the Mayor as using many different art forms, including taking his brush to the picture frame.
Outside the Town Hall there were marquees with more stalls, music, and plant sales. Liz Broderick and Charlotte Hartley invited visitors to contribute towards making a community collage.
A raffle raised about £300 in aid of the Diagnostic Investigation Unit at the Diana, Princess of Wales, Hospital in Grimsby and the St Barnabas Hospice in Louth.
Helping to organise the festival was a very large team of volunteers. Setting up and taking down such an exhibition was a large task but enjoyable, with everyone working together.
Visitors’ favourite: Diane Hill receives her award from Town Mayor Carol Mackenzie and Sheila Broster for her artwork “Autumn”
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- Charlotte Linsell shows some of her handmade boxes
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- including this folding sewing box, a very clever creation
Hazel Ann from Brookenby enjoyed her weekend, showing her gem designs to visitors from far and wide, including South Africa
Full of character: A fabulous display of teddy bears
Louis and Robina King of Caistor are attracted to the garden photographs of Daniel Mengella. Daniel shot the images to support his Sunset 366 montage which took seven years to produce. The actual photographs only took a year, one taken each day of the sunset from his home when he lived in North Yorkshire. The rest of the time was spent putting them together. He now lives in Welton, Lincolnshire.
Briarly Jane Brown, of Lincoln, only took up art five years ago. She started with landscapes but one day decided to paint her dog and preferred the results.
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- Jessica Wall, nine, tells festival organiser Sheila Broster why she took the image of the pond at Westbrook Grove. It was during a school field trip exploring Caistor’s natural and man made utilities.
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- Her first time exhibiting, she was thrilled to sell two pieces. One of her best friends, Martha Bates, came to support her.
Charlotte Hartley, left, and Liz Broderick with the community collage made by visitors
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- This year’s raffle, which raised about £300, will help local causes
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- The Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance team sends thanks for last year’s raffle proceeds
It looks like volunteer Rick Merrall is posing for Stewart’s camera but it’s a quick grab shot. Rick prefers to get on with things behind the scenes
Time to go home: The show is over and artists collect unsold work, while buyers collect their purchases
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- The art is gone and the boards need cleaning and removing
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- Tables are stripped of the crafts before being put away
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- Mike Broster gets stuck in
Nice to see the Mayor chose one of Les Porters. We have several of his including the one of Aqua Dell. He’s an ex Grimsby Firefighter and a very accomplished artist.