Ninfield's creative talent

The event was at Ninfield Memorial Hall and judged an popular success by organisers Kaye Crittall and Sam Guard.

The fair, which raised 300, bought together more than 20 exhibitors from the village some of whom had never shown their work in public before.

These included Alice Driver who has been learning bobbin lace making for four years, Daphne Unsworth who has been woodcarving since 2006, and new artist Elaine Vitler who has in the last two years discovered a passion for watercolouur.

Other exhibitors were Aide Foord, Ann Fish, Jim Hoad, John Pont, Leigh James, Linda Goldsmith, Jennifer Collett, Mark Feeley and Robin Goldmsith.

Mary Newberry and Jean Tester were there to show off their tapestries, Rose Franks her stained glass panels, Shirley Bosshard, Sam Guard, Shirley Reygate, Terry Austen, and Thelma Nance.

Three more exhibitors turned up on the day itself but room was soon found for them and their work - Pam Doodes, Joan Taylor, and Kathleen Thorogood.

Kaye Crittall commented: "We have had a really wonderful response today - we have been so pleased with the number of people who have been through the door.

"I think the nice thing is that they have been so appreciative of the local talent that is here and also impressed by the high quality."

The arts and crafts fair came about as an idea when Kaye realised there was so much included as part of the Ninfield Horticultural Society spring show that the exhibitors deserved an own event of their own.

"They were so lovely that I thought would it not be good to see if we could have an exhibition of people in the village because we have so many talented people here - that's how it started.

"And of course we have to raise money for the hall - 150,000 to do everything we want to do - and so it's also great to get visitors here who might not normally come, and they see what a nice hall it is.

"We have such lovely things here at the show. I didn't expect 22 exhibitors though, I didn't expect this many. We are being asked already when we are going to do the next one, and we have had people booking up.

"I would like to say a big thank you to all the exhibitors because they have been brilliant, and everyone who helped get it ready and helped on the day. It has been a community thing. Everyone has done their bit."