When it comes to finding an interesting and varied collection of Christmas gifts, the Didcot Gift & Craft Festival held at Didcot’s Civic Hall is the perfect place to go. This popular annual event, which started back in 2003, brings together a wide range of local artisan craft and food producers. Held on the 9 November, the doors open at 10.30am until 4pm and entry is just £1.50 and free for anyone under the age of 16, provided they are accompanied by an adult.
Jeanette Howse from Didcot Events who helps to co-ordinate the Gift & Craft Festival is delighted by the wide range of people she has brought together for this year’s event. “We attract a wealth of very talented artisan producers who range from jewellery, sewn goods, pottery, cards as well as local food and drink producers including mead, gin, cakes and preserves. The standard and quality is really high and many of their gifts cannot be purchased online.”
Whilst there are new crafters and food producers who will be at the Festival for the first time such as Sabali Pots, Ellies Handbags and Crafty Sisters and there are many old favourites who return as local people are always keen to buy their merchandise.
Popular Oxfordshire author and crime writer Colin Wade will be there with his latest novel ‘Murder at the Manor’ published this September. Having previously worked as a full-time programme manager with Thames Valley Police for thirteen years, Colin is an avid reader so back in 2016 he decided to start writing his first novel. He switched to part-time work allowing him time to realise his ambition of getting a book written and published. Colin’s work quickly became immensely popular due to his ability to write thrilling crime and conspiracy novels which draw from his experience in the police service. His books are fast paced, page turning thrillers that leave you guessing until the very end. Now with five heart pounding novels already under his belt, his sixth and latest book entitled ‘Murder at the Manor’ will be available for you to buy at the Gift & Craft Festival. His other books are The Lost Years, Plutus, Deadly Connections, The Sins of the Father and The Devil's Code. To find out more visit his website colinwade.com.
Artist John Gunter who lives in Wantage has been coming along to the Gift & Craft Festival for a few years. In November 2018 he received the Mayor’s award for the ‘Most Impressive Stall’. Specialising in mixed media paintings, John enjoys creating seascapes that capture the beauty and emotion of the coast, frequently visiting coastal areas to get first hand experience of the sea and vast expanse of sky. He also produces cityscapes, both of Oxford and beyond, some of European cities. Each of his painting are a unique journey of time and place which capture both the natural elements and creations from his own imagination. (john-gunter.co.uk).
If you are looking for an item of jewellery, visit the stand run by Ian and Becky Newton who are B & I Wired Beads, who only sell their wares at craft events. Becky tells us more about their items: “We have been making bespoke jewellery for over ten years using memory wire, chainmail, crystal and natural gem stones. Ian started making jewellery when he wanted a necklace but could not find what he wanted so he bought some books and taught himself the chainmail to make his first handcrafted necklace. What started as a hobby however soon got out of hand and when we realised that we had made so many items we decided to go and sell some of our stock at craft fairs. People loved what we were selling so we have built our business from there. We have made some amazing friends along the way too.”
Becky has now added pyrography to her skill set when she wanted to take a break away from the jewellery making.
“I decided to get back into drawing which I have enjoyed since being a small child. I saw the wood burning being done by chance on the television and wanted to have a go as it looked so interesting. I work with natural wood and also plywood and all my work is hand drawn (not lasered). My favourite things to draw are animals, dragons and funky cows, anything that takes my fancy really or amuses me. We’re both open to new ideas and, who knows what we’ll try next. There’s so many craft ideas out there, and it’s something that we both really enjoy.”
If you have visited the Crafters Emporium in Oxford, Kidlington, Bicester or Faringdon, you will be aware of the fantastic range of artisan handcrafted items which Natasha Martell stocks in her shops. This year, the Crafters Emporium has taken over a room in the Civic Hall (at both the Food Festival and the Gift & Craft Festival). The Crafters Emporium provides an opportunity for local crafters to sell their artisan gifts to the public, paying a monthly pitch fee and a percentage on any sales they make. This ensures that crafters can sell their stock and stock at each of the shops changes regularly. Natasha carefully balance each of the crafts she has on sale so there is always a great variety, and latest trends are also reflected.
You will find many traders selling products such as handmade soaps, knitted items, garden ornaments, preserves and chutneys, soft toys, cards, chocolates, cakes and pies, to name but a few.
So, start making your Christmas shopping list and have a wonderful day out as you tick the items off your list.For further information please visit didcotevents.co.uk.
