1980 was a defining year for British
crafts. It was the year when a small entrepreneurial organisation
called Living Heritage Craft Shows started running a series of
indoor craft exhibitions at sports centres and other indoor
venues across the country. The venue was the Derby Assembly
Rooms. After a 4.30am start in the freezing cold of February, the
event was set up and included nearly 140 sets of tables that were
to become the stands for some of the country's finest craftsmen,
artists and designers.
Living Heritage's owner at the time, Mark Hulme, had spent most
of the previous year convincing individual craftsmen to support
his idea of bringing their skills to the general public. The
exhibitors were as nervous as the company about the next two
days. Would anybody actually pay the admission price? After all
was this only a glorified market? Would anyone actually come? The
advertising had been done in the local newspapers and staff were
planning to "sandwich board" in Derby City Centre later that
day!
They needn't have worried! That weekend over 16,000 people
enjoyed a festival of the very best of British craftsmanship and
the company struggled to contain the enormous queues as they
"clicked" one person in as one person left. It got better: they
brought Maidenhead to a standstill, got told off by the fire
brigade in Stoke and completely filled over 20 venues that year
with public and exhibitors alike. The craft industry was born and
it was here to stay.
22 years later Living Heritage still organise the Derby Craft
Weekend at the Assembly Rooms, but craft shows have moved at a
pace since their inception. Living Heritage has always been at
the forefront of this change, organising their first "outdoor"
event in 1988 when they worked in co-operation with a local
stately home near Brentwood in Essex. Today the Essex Craft Show
at Blake Hall is stronger than ever, regularly
attracting thousands if visitors. Other stately homes
in partnership with the company include; Knebworth, Broadlands,
Blenheim Palace and Woburn Abbey. Living Heritage has also
evolved as an organisation, now owning all the equipment needed
to stage outdoor events, as well as running a successful "hire
business" for other organisers. The events are no longer
exclusively craft focused: the organisation also runs 8
country shows, 4 wood shows and 1 food show.
The outdoor events are held in the grounds of some of the most
prestigious stately homes and gardens in the country. Click here for a full list of these
events.
All the shows have something for everyone, including quality
catering.......
| Excellent toilet facilities... |
And something for the children to enjoy |
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If you are interested in finding out more information about the
shows or are interested in exhibiting, why not register with us
and leave your Email address and click on the "Register
Now" button above. We promise that your details will not
be made available to any company other than ourselves.
Alternatively ring us direct on: 01283 820548.
Enjoy your crafts!
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