BRIDGERULE’S village hall has been a bit quiet during the winter months so it was decided to have a ‘free’ two-day event letting residents show their various talents.

This included mostly craft items, but also included one table of archery items showing the bow, arrows and various trophies Dian Kirby has won recently — an outstanding achievement and a privilege to see.

The weekend event, on Saturday and Sunday, March 10 and 11, included 17 people showing their various talents and was free to exhibit and view. Karen Thomas, who has only recently discovered that she has a great skill with watercolour paintings, had three framed paintings on display, plus many mounted prints and her recently published book, ‘A Passion for Watercolour’, all of which caused a lot of interest. Karen’s work sells extremely well all over the country now.

Orders were taken for the Cholwill wooden reindeer, which Colin makes each Christmas, with all profits going to the Little Harbour children’s hospice in St Austell.

This colourful display also included wooden snowmen and all were wearing brightly coloured knitted scarves and bow ties made by the ladies of Bridgerule and the surrounding areas.

Nearby was a table covered with every BUZZ magazine produced by editor Sheila Cholwill, which has been a great asset to the village, informing people of forthcoming events and including the interesting ‘spotlight’ section focused on many of the residents.

Heidi Masters brought along a display of exquisite miniature furniture, which was popular with both adults and children — the detail on each piece was amazing.

Embroidery done with the aid of a sewing machine was demonstrated on both days by Linda Chilton, who shows great skill at producing beautiful country scenes, trees and foliage, plus lovely gardens and flowers, all with tiny threads on colourful felt backgrounds.

Thanks were extended to Paula Quigley, Melissa Field, Jan Orchard, Rose Hitchings and Bill Stewart for displaying their lovely paintings, showing a wide variety of different techniques and subjects. Liz Davy had cleverly produced handmade needlework items such as cushions that are used and loved by dementia patients, each one having lots of items attached with the purpose of occupying busy hands.

Karen Pinchess was showing beautiful glass and also lampshades, while Michelle Jardine busy with her crochet had both glass items and homemade greetings cards on display. Specialiy soap was produced by Terry Windsor and young Lisa Taylor was showing amazing horse paintings and Cornish and Devon views painted onto pebbles.

Possibly the most popular table was the display by Kate Toms, who produces the cutest characters, both human and animal, made from felt with some being reproduced in children’s books — also on display.

The unclothed human characters created lots of people to stand and chuckle — Kate clearly has amazing skills at observing and reproducing these funny little felt beings that made everyone smile.

Thanks have been extended to the ladies serving teas and refreshments during the two days, to the cake makers and all the people who kindly exhibited their precious items. Organisers were especially grateful to the people who visited the village hall and enjoyed seeing all the various craftwork going on within the village — what talent there is in Bridgerule!