Craft Festival at St Andrew’s Church raises over £2000 for local charities.

The two-day Textile and Art Exhibition (Craft Fest 1) held in St Andrew’s Church in Corbridge welcomed well over a thousand visitors through its doors last Thursday and Friday. Organised jointly by the Corbridge Sewing Bee and St Andrew’s Church the exhibition raised just over £2000 in donations which will be divided equally between The Charlotte Straker Project and the Church fund.

Exhibitors included local artists, lace makers, embroiderers, photographers, quilters, basket makers, crafters, sewers and knitters as well as local organisations such as the Youth Initiative, the Brownies and local schools. Visitors commented particularly on the high standard and sheer variety of work on offer and exhibitors were able to network and share ideas and inspiration for future work.

Our Chair of Trustees Berenice Groves opened the exhibition jointly with Dr David Kennedy, vicar of St Andrew’s at the well-attended preview. Berenice commented “we’re delighted that we were invited to be involved in this exhibition as it has beautifully showcased the talents of our crafty residents. We’re also extremely grateful for such a generous donation to our charity. Thank you also to Jayne, our Activities Coordinator, and the volunteers for taking so many of our residents to see the exhibition”

The Charlotte Straker residents visiting the exhibition thoroughly enjoyed the display of items including the contribution of work from Charlotte Straker House.

John B commented “the crafts absolutely filled the church. There are some very talented people in the village. It was very interesting seeing all the different bits and pieces”.

Muriel had a fantastic time and said “I loved it, and I loved seeing all the embroidery and tapestry and chatting to everyone. Some of the embroidery pieces were beautiful”.

Thank you to all exhibitors who submitted the pieces and the hard working volunteers who helped before, during and after the exhibition.