A BRIDGWATER-based creative learning space, Clayhill Arts will celebrate the area’s rich – and often unseen - culture of craft-making and folklore.

Clayhill Arts’ Unseen Heritage: An Act of Making, will be an evening of archive films, and traditional West Country songs performed by folk and heritage artist Amanda Boyd.

Just over a hundred years ago, the West Country boasted thriving industries using traditional materials and craft skills – from brick, rope, and broom making to pottery and thatch.

Bridgwater Mercury: The centre entrance (Photo by Jim Stephenson)The centre entrance (Photo by Jim Stephenson)

At the same time, folk song collectors including Cecil Sharp, The Hammond Brothers and Alfred Williams travelled through the region collecting songs from the local people.

This one-off event, a collaboration between Clayhill Arts, Windrose Rural Media Trust and Amanda Boyd, will bring this rich local heritage to life, while highlighting critically endangered crafts from the area.

Unseen Heritage: An Act of Making will be the first public event to take place in the new Clayhill Arts Cinebarn, a haybarn repurposed into a screening space, and will include:
• previously unseen heritage films from Windrose Rural Media Trust archive, including, brick making, pottery, lace making, pole lathe and peg making, broom making, and thatching;
• songs with silent footage;
• vintage footage of John Leach and Verwood Pottery;
• a talk from the Heritage Craft Association;
• and a showcase of new work by Somerset printmaker Gemma Trickey, commissioned by Clayhill Arts to respond to the theme of the event.

Bridgwater Mercury: Inside the Clayhill Arts centre (Photo by Jim Stephenson)Inside the Clayhill Arts centre (Photo by Jim Stephenson)

Deborah Parkes, founder of Clayhill Arts comments: “This is a chance to highlight the rich craft heritage of the area and expose a younger generation of artists and makers to these extraordinary – and sadly endangered – ways of making.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Amanda on such a special event and hope it’s a chance for people to reflect on the rich craft heritage of Somerset and the West Country.”

The event will take place on Wednesday, May 25, 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Clayhill Arts Cinebarn, Charlynch Lane, Bridgwater, Somerset TA5 2PH.

Tickets are £10 and can be purchased from Clayhill Arts at www.clayhillarts.co.uk or by calling 01278 256596