Surely not ......

Turned on my computer & it reminded me that it is time for another blog post - surely not methinks! - but yes another week has passed by, so had better get down to it, 'cos there is lots to tell you.
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Yarn Shop Day ......

So last Saturday was the next event in our Courtyard Programme - Yarn Shop Day - hosted by The Fabric Den - with guests Claire Nettleship Yarns & Handmade by Helen.

The weather forecast was promising rain & high winds, so Sarah at The Fabric Den quickly went for 'Plan B', and by the time we opened all was as well as it could be, now all we needed was the people of Bolsover to turn out, which some of them did. Enough for Sarah, Claire & Helen to declare it a reasonable sort of day considering.

The Knit & Natter went ahead in the afternoon, and people were asking for more, so watch this space.

​May Day Extravaganza ......

Now, we move on to the next event, the - May Day Extravaganza - this Staurday 4th May from 10am to 3pm.

The feature of the day will be a - 'May Day Makers Market' organised by Ethos Upcycling & The Fabric Den.

Essentially they have gathered together a group of local craft traders, who will be filling the Courtyard. They have assembled an mix of stall holders, and there is no better way of introducing who they are than through their own words - first is Carl Mason, and he tells us about himself thus -

I am a retired 80 year old self employed builder and I like to have a hobby that involves making things from junk that I’ve accumulated over the years.It also gets me off the couch and into my man cave.

Now if that does get you wanting to know more then .......

Next we have Danuta Wisniewski, and she says -
 
I have been a passionate and almost obsessive collector of fabric for several years and the material I am now selling has been part of this collection, this is mainly upholstery weight fabric which includes linens, printed cottons and velvets. These fabric pieces are ideal for crafters who have small projects and do not require more than a metre of any particular design but enjoy having a selection of different materials to choose from.

Moving on we come to, Mrs B from Mr & Mrs B's Allotment, who tells us -

Hi I’m Mrs B and I make small batches of jams & chutneys, mainly using surplus fruit from our allotment in South Sheffield. My husband keeps bees on the plot, so I also sell their honey

So, let's just review who we have so far - a man who makes things from junk in his man cave, a lady who sells small pieces of fabrics ideal for crafters, and a lady who sells jams, chutneys & honey.

Joining them will be Ruth Hattingh of Speckled Gekko -

Speckled Gecko is a small, family run local business, based in Barlborough, Derbyshire. We produce a variety of arts and crafts, including a number of homemade bath products. 
 
My website is www.speckled-gecko.co.uk and my Facebook page is Speckled Gecko Art Studio. 

And finally, one of own Gallery traders Shaun Haywood of M&E Woodcraft -

I started out a couple of years ago making gifts out of wood after a kind gentleman gave me his tools, so I had to put them to good use, so a few youtube videos later and a bit of trial and error, I started getting requests. I generally use reclaimed timber, basically what ever I can get my hands on, whether it be pallets or old windowsills and door frames. I don't class myself as a joiner or a carpenter, I’d rather be called a maker​

So there we are, 5 craft related businesses, will join our own traders this Saturday for a May Day Extravaganza. 

And as I write this blog post the BBC Weather says that the weather for Saturday in Bolsover is - Sunny intervals & a moderate breeze, so no excuse there then.

​See You Saturday - ​​

The 'Wobbly Bodger' comes to town! ......

And after the May Day event we quickly move into something completely different - a visit from the 'Wobbly Bodger'.

Fresh from his appearance at the Sandringham Craft & Wood Festival at the end of April rubbing shoulders with 'royalty' he comes to Bolsover to showcase his skills.

Looking at his website Gary Joynt - 'The Wobbly Bodger' - says -
We are passionate about keeping alive some of the traditional heritage crafts from around the world. As the world became mechanised, production increased and heritage crafts declined in popularity giving way to modern, faster manufacturing methods.
Our intention is to keep alive some of the traditional and not so traditional heritage crafts under threat in our fast and busy world. All our products are handmade from seasoned and green wood and each item is unique and individual

I know that Gary will be putting on a good day for us, and if you are really good he might let you have a 'bodge'.

Not one to be missed.

The Future High Streets Fund .......

 Those of you who follow the blog week by week will know that I have kept you up to date on the Bolsover District Council bid to the Government Future High Streets Fund.

Well in the recent In Touch newspaper published by the District Council & delivered to every house in the BDC area there was an article about the bid, that I thought was worthy of putting in this weeks blog post - 

Let's hope that we get through the first stage & then the final bids, and if we are, then we must all get behind the work that will be involved in making the bid work for us all, whether we live in the town or have a business in the town.
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So there you go ......

Another packed blog post bringing you right up to date on what is going on in Old Bolsover Yard. We look forward to seeing you at our Courtyard events each Saturday, and don't forget we are open every day Monday to Saturday 10am to 3pm - why not drop in and have a browse, meet the businesses in the Yard & have a look around our Gallery, which is packed with things that might just have that present you have been looking for, for someone special.

You are always welcome - rain or shine!

So until next week -