AN amazing collection of art and crafts stunned visitors to Colebrooke Parish Church by the colour, diversity and skills of all the local people.
One of the organisers commented that people had been hiding their light under a bushel - and so it proved.
A few have turned their hobby into a business and it was all to raise funds towards the upkeep of this lovely old church.
News about the planned exhibition spread with the result that 35 people agreed to show their work, some of which was for sale.
One of the organisers commented that visitors had called in for a coffee - and stayed for a cream tea.
This was the first time the church had staged such an exhibition and it really was an eye opener for many visitors to see the diversity and ability of so many local people.
Members of Colebrooke Women’s Institute had exhibited Raku pottery they made. Penstone Patchwork Group showed work produced to celebrate the Millennium.
Other work included wood craft, beadcraft jewellery, sugar craft cake toppers and floral iced arrangements.
There was knitting and crochet, rag rugs, greetings cards, cushions, a longcase clock, a range of herbal products, fly tying, paintings and photographs among the work on show, plus some by four young people aged five and nine years, all part of a group of children who work with local watercolour artist, Rachel Toll, who also had work on show.
Sue Read