Gainsborough’s Heritage Skills Fair will return for 2024!
Saturday 13 July, 9am until 3pm
Gainsborough’s historic Market Place is transforming to restore the listed buildings, reinstate historic shopfronts and bring back this area’s original charm. On Saturday 13 July, Gainsborough will hold its second Heritage Skills Fair to showcase rare traditional trades, crafts and professions thriving in our region.
Come along to Gainsborough for this rare opportunity to meet so many crafts people, skilled in traditional trades and gathered together to share their know-how. There are chances to roll your sleeves up and try some skills yourself, plus special children’s crafts to keep your little ones busy. There will also be lots of hand-made traditionally crafted gifts to browse and buy.
Here are just a few of the talented people you will meet on the day!
And there will be so much more to see!
- Demonstrations on the use of traditional lime mortar for pointing and plastering. These are kindly provided by Jason Mordan, from Nottinghamshire County Council’s conservation team.
- G-B decorating will be providing demonstrations on the repair and restoration of early textured wallpapers.
- The Boston Stitchers will be demonstrating exhibits of skilled embroidery work from some of their recent exhibitions.
- The Lincolnshire Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers will be demonstrating how they use traditional spinning wheels and weaving equipment, with a chance for you to have-a-go.
- Robyn Smith, a textile artist will be demonstrating how she creates detailed artworks from traditional felting methods.
- AS Crafts will be demonstrating spoon making and woodwork.
- Catherine Mann, from Totem Blue will be demonstrating her hand made leather bags.
Children’s Area
We have a covered children’s area where younger visitors can have a go at traditional children’s crafts, assisted by our friendly staff. All free of charge, thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Lottery Players.
Entertainment
Entertainment will be provided in the form of medieval musicians and dancers de Mowbray’s Musicke, who will be demonstrating a range of historic instruments and dances.
Antiques
We will be joined by Gainsborough’s weekly outdoor antique fair, with many a treasure to be found, making this event a real highlight for your diary!
This event is free of charge* and has been made possible through the generous funding of the National Lottery Heritage Fund. We would like to thank all lottery players.
*there is a small fee for some have-a-go activities from the demonstrators
To find out more about Gainsborough’s Townscape Heritage Initiative, visit Invest Gainsborough’s website.
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