Bentley Wood Fair 2023

Myself, Wendy, and Jon Warwicker travelled down south to Lewes, Sussex last weekend for Bentley Wood Fair. We joined a number of the Sussex and Kent Bodgers, forming a whole section of green woodworkers, representing the APTGW. Big thanks to Andrew Coleman for coordinating our presence with the organisers. The weather was surprisingly and pleasantly hot. Last year we woke up to ice on our tent each morning.

We all had a great time demonstrating our various crafts, engaging the public, and even had a few sales. Our section was quite a sight, Andrew Coleman turning on a spindle lathe, James Pumfrey on a bowl lathe, Tim and Son on shave horses making delicate gypsy flowers, Nick with his catapults, Jon W with his wands, swords, and carved bowls, Darren Hood providing have a go sessions on an antique sewing machine, Jill Swan rolling out constant comedy, she also carved some spoons and made a wooden doll. Snowy was making brushes, Rupert with his ‘crazy’ amazing bowls, Wendy Needle felting, and myself carving and showing my spoons and bowls.

I didn’t get much of a chance to explore the whole event, but I found the most delicious Toffee Rum from @prohibitionrum and got a lovely wool blanket. The evenings were fun. Andrew had brought his washing machine drum fire pit to keep us warm. Cider, beer, rum, and various home brewed concoctions kept the conversation lively and the laughter loud.