Celebrating Creativity in the Village of Staplehurst
Throughout the Festival a variety of art was on exhibition. This included work by miniaturists, lace makers, painters of various media, photographers, sculptors, film makers, and more. Organisations exhibiting included Mote Lodge, Blantyre House, Staplehurst Primary School, and Psarms Puppets.
There were musical performances from local musicians, including Bennett and Bowman, Martin Friend, Ruth and Glyn Roberts, Staplehurst Music Centre, and Staplehurst Primary School.
A mural was created and constructed during the festival, made up of panels painted by people of Staplehurst. The Rt. Hon. Miss Ann Widdecombe MP even entered into the spirit of the event by painting a panel for the mural. The Mural now hangs in the new Health Centre in Staplehurst Village.
John Sandon, International Director of Ceramics at Bonhams Auctioneers, and a familiar face from the Antiques Roadshow, hosted an afternoon of Antique Porcelain and Glass. John gave an enjoyable talk about collecting antiques, and discussed a variety of items brought in by the audience and their varying values!
A number of creative workshops were also held over the weekend. Published authors Ian McDonald, Ellen Dunn and Isabelle Bass exhibited in the literacy corner of the show, and Ian ran an interesting creative writing workshop. Ian McDonald - Author In Schools website. Artist Adam Hahn held a life-drawing class on Saturday evening for a number of enthusiastic pupils, and he also ran graffiti workshops throughout the weekend in coalition with the local youth group.