The Royal Show - Restoration and Country Crafts Part 1
Some of the UK's
leading traditional craft workers and restorers were invited by the
National Farmers Union to showcase their skills at the
Royal Show.
This article gives some of the flavour of this showcase. For more crafts at the Show, see Part 2. Or for more about violin restoration and making, see our series in which we track Derek Roberts' progress as he makes a violin by hand.
Derek demonstrated violin restoration
and renovation during a busy four days of the show.
Coracle maker Terry Kenny made a coracle on site and showed visitors how they
could make their own coracle in a day from a kit.
Blacksmith Chris Payne from Cowgill Forge and
Furniture Workshop of Dent in Cumbria showed a wide range of traditional
handmade ironwork and furniture including this cast iron sofa with
rope seat.
Sandra Cotterell transforms old chairs, restoring
frames and reseating in rush, cane, willow, seagrass, Danish cord
and cotton cord.
The only oak swill basket maker in Britain, Owen Jones of High
Nibthwaite in Cumbria. The rhythm and beauty of his work captured
many show visitors.
Anthony Lloyd-Wallis of Mortimers of Yarm
in North Yorkshire at work on an eighteenth century model
American tallboy. He also demonstrated French polishing.
Part Two has more pictures of traditional skills at the Royal Show.