THE first exhibition to be staged by the Holsworthy Creatives Enterprise (HCE) was a roaring success with more than 1,000 estimated to have entered the doors of the Memorial Hall to see what was on offer.

On Saturday, November 18, mayor of Holsworthy Jon Hutchings cut the yellow ribbon and officially opened the event. The hall was crammed full of beautiful artworks and craft items, all created by local artists, for the recently formed group’s first exhibition.

Entitled ‘The Christmas Art and Craft Exhibition and Sale’, it provided just that. There was a chance for visitors to get their hands dirty and make their own decorations as well as view and purchase a whole array of creative crafts just in time for Christmas. There was also a chance to purchase a raffle ticket or two.

Dawn Brookes-Ensor, a driving force behind the creation of HCE, said: “It was really lovely. It was so great to see Holsworthy coming out in force to support a local arts and crafts event. I was really impressed, we made around £285 on raffle ticket sales alone and there must have been over 1,000 people through the doors, it was very exciting!”

Dawn said the group has spent a lot of time promoting the event. She said: “We have put a lot into the promotion of our artists as that is really the aim of the group, to help support and promote the work of local artists and creatives. We are bringing art to the masses and making it accessible as our motto is ‘art for all’.”

There was a wide variety of things to see at the exhibition. Dawn said there were 32 tables crammed full of colourful pieces to purchase. The artists and exhibitors were: Craft Fusion, Vanessa Ludwell, Sally Spry, Maggie Shepherd, Dawn Brookes-Ensor, Adela Webb, Sue King, Jacinta McEwan, Rachael Allen, Amy Winfield, Diane Pearce, Rebecca Durn, Laine Shepherd, Gill Hobbs, Lynnette Hare, Ann Grundy, Tracey Annette, Donna and Greg Anston-Race, Laraine Golding, Erika Winch, Emily Clarke, Claire Brennand, Jedidiah, Sandra Willets and Mary Jannaway.

Dawn said: “Everyone that came in said ‘wow’ and that it wasn’t your usual arts and crafts exhibitions. It really showcased the best of the best in the area.”

The next step for HCE will be to find a permanent gallery space, which they hope can be located somewhere in the town’s square. Dawn said: “Through this event we have raised enough money to pay for legal fees for a gallery space — we just need to find one now. We have a few ideas of where we can go but we would really like it to be somewhere in the square. The aim is to be able to really rejuvenate the square and bring a bit more colour to it.

“We have the support of the town council as well as our district councillors Ken Carroll and Ian Parker and we even have our MP Geoffrey Cox on board so we really are building momentum.”

Dawn expressed her thanks to all those who attended the exhibition and helped support the local talent in Holsworthy. She said: “It was great to be so well supported and we have to say thank you to the local WI for their support.

“I also want to thank Waitrose who really went above and beyond. They provided us with teas and coffees for the event but not just that they also gave us the milk, hot chocolate, biscuits etc, which they didn’t have to do. It is great to be receiving so much local support from businesses as well as individuals and I am pleased to say our new website is up and running now with a donate button, so anyone who wants to support us can.”

HCE hold a meeting on the first Tuesday of every month and are keen for new people to join. The next meeting of the HCE will be on Tuesday, December 5, at the White Hart Hotel starting at 7pm. All are welcome.

To find out more about HCE visit their website www.holsworthycreativesenterprise.com