PICTURES: Ickworth’s wood and craft fair is a cut above
The Ickworth estate’s popular wood and craft fair proved it was a cut above after attracting thousands of visitors over the weekend.
A steam engine powered wood saw and chainsaw sculpting were among the highlights which pulled in the crowds to the 27th annual event.
There were 5,400 people at the fair with 6,481 visitors overall to the country estate, in Horringer, on Saturday and Sunday.
They splashed out more than £13,000 in purchasing wood harvested from Ickworth’s woodlands and the money will go back into the conservation of the estate.
Rosie McVey, events and programming officer, said: “It was a lovely atmosphere across the two days - we had similar numbers to last year.
“It was our biggest one yet in terms of stallholders, there were activities for the children and it was just a good day out. The weather wasn’t exactly on our side but it didn’t stop the people from coming.”
Other activities included demonstrations of a foot powered pole lathe and raku firing pottery. For children, there was story-telling and a climbing wall.
The event has its roots in Ickworth’s ‘Wood Sale’ which was originally conceived after the hurricane of 1987 which caused major devastation to and brought down a number of the estate’s trees.
Staff decided to sell the quality wood with the first batch prepared and ready for sale from a tent in the park in 1989.
After its initial success, the event has expanded and grown over the years to encompass many aspects of woodcraft and other related natural commodities, food and drink stalls.
