20th Annual Craft Fair a Huge Success

20^TH ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR A HUGE SUCCESS

 

By J. Brock (FINN)

 

The 20^th Annual Falkland Craft Fair took place in the Falkland Islands Community School on Saturday and Sunday 10 to 11 September 2005.  A wide variety of Homespun Wool, Felting, Knitting, Weaving, Rug making, Basketwork, Sewing, Crochet, Embroidery, Tapestry, Cross-Stitch, Soft Toy Making, Horn-work, Gear Making, Leatherwork, Skins, Woodwork, Metal Work, Pottery, Jewellery, Sculpture, Model Making, Art (Any Medium), Photography, Any Other Handicraft Item and Items for Display Only decorated the Busy street at the school.

 

All Items were crafted, painted or taken in the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and/or British Antarctic Territory.  This year, there was a separate exhibition of items that had been displayed during past craft fairs as well as some older items that people had made as much as 90 years ago

 

Prior to the prize giving Chair of the Craft Fair, Mrs. Barbara Curtis said:

 

“as usual there is a wonderful exhibition here.  Entries are down a little bit from last year.  The generous donations for the display upstairs I think makes up for that and more.  For those donators, please bear in mind that in five years’ time it will be the 25^th anniversary and there might be a call for the old items again.  And, it would be great to have an even bigger show at that time. 

 

As usual, I would like to say a big thank-you to Alan Purvis and his staff, who set the tables up for us and made life a little bit easier.  Also thanks toes to the huge group of volunteers who came along this year to help set it up.  We were still here to well past 2000 on Friday evening.  I hate to think of how late it would have been if they hadn’t showed up.  There are a lot of people to thank - the people who donate prizes, the rest of the committee that helped to put the show together.  Thanks also to the people who put in the entries.

 

 If people didn’t enter things, we wouldn’t have a show.  And, I think it’s really important to keep something like this going.  If you do crafts you can see what other people do and it’s an inspiration for you to go on and try something else. I’ve had a lot of comments from new people in the Islands this year about how many children enter and how good they are.  And, I think the kids should know that.

 

And, as usual, I am totally surprised at the amount of pride in the Falklands - it amazes me every year.

 

I’d like to say a special thanks to those who donated the items that are on display this year - the really old things because they are family heirlooms and they are risking the possibility that Great Grandma’s dress could get damaged.  Thankfully, I don’t think anything did.  Especially I would like to thank Ailsa Heathman, Sharon and Denis Middleton, Patrick Berntsen and Natalie Smith, who contributed a huge amount of stuff.

 

Finally, I would like to say a special thank-you to the judges.  It’s an incredibly hard job judging these.  If anybody has major complaints on the judging, if you come and see me I will write your name down and you can judge next year.

 

Thanks also to Harriet Hall for coming down again to give the prizes out to people and I will hand over to her.”

 

The Deputy Governor, Miss Harriet Hall said:

 

“I think the Governor must look at the calendar and see the Craft Fair coming up and book on the first flight out.  This is now the third year that I have done this.  And, I have to say that I am delighted that he does that because I really enjoy coming to the Craft Fair, seeing the wonderful entries and congratulating the people who have won prizes.  It’s going to be different this year because this is the first year I am not going to be handing the silverware to Marge.  Somebody else is going to have to polish it.  I think we are all very much aware today that she’s probably watching us and commenting on the judges’ choices.  I think she would be very pleased by what we have seen today.  The spirit of craft and making things is carrying on in the Falklands and I think it always will be.”

 

THE PRIZES:

 

Section “A” Homespun Wool - Margo Smallwood

Section “B” Felting - Fiona Didlick

Section “C” Knitting - Nicola Crowie

Section “D” Weaving Rug-making and basketwork - Barbara Curtis

Section “E” Sewing and Crochet - Chris Taylor

Section “F” Embroidery, Tapestry and Cross Stitch - Alison Roose

Section “G” Soft Toy Making - Vie Morrison

Section “H” Horn-work, Gear making, Leatherwork and Skins - Julie Fisher Smith

Section “I”  Woodwork and Metalwork - Alan Purvis

Section “J” Pottery, Jewellery and Sculpture - Rebecca Harris

Section “K” Model making - Steve Clarke

Section “L” Art - Gary Clement

Section “M” Photography - Richie Anderson

Section “N” Any Other Hand Craft Item - Leeann Harris and Sandra Piccone

 

The FIDC Prize for the item with most potential for commercial development, Judged by Julian Morris - Susan Pole Evans for her Stonework Pebble Bracelets

 

The George Porter Challenge Cup for the most points in Sections “H” and “I” - Peter Wakefield

 

Standard Chartered Bank Rose Bowl and Miniature For the most points in sections “A,” “B,” “C,” and “D” - Barbara Curtis

 

Falkland Islands Company Limited Challenge Cup and Medallion for Children’s Runner-up - Rebecca Harris

 

Falkland Islands Company Challenge Cup and Medallion for the Child with most points overall - Max Rowlands

 

Falkland Islands Development Corporation Challenge Cup and Miniature for Adult Runner-up - Nicola Crowie.

 

Cable & Wireless PLC Challenge Cup and Miniature for the Adult with the most points overall - Vie Morrison.

 

Gift vouchers or cash will were awarded to the person with the most points in each section.  .  Children’s cash prizes include: £5.00 for first, £3.00 for second and £2.00 for third.

 

After the prize-giving there was a raffle draw.  The results will be announced later.

 

The atmosphere at the event was one of quiet inquisitiveness.  Those who went along to the show had an excellent few hours enjoying the handiwork of others.