Community Arts Day

A whole series of events, in and around Burbage Library, today!  If you visited our popular Blacksmith demonstration last year, come and see what we have for you this time...

Fun - filled Children’s Book Workshop with Josh Harris from 2PM - 3PM (£4.00)

Come along for a fun-filled children’s book workshop with @josh_harris_illustration, exploring emotions with ‘Bulb: A Light-Hearted Tale’, diversity with ‘The Comfy Cloud Community’ and much more!!!! This workshop is perfect for children aged 4-7. Tickets £4.00 per child

Wood carving with Sarah Hillman. Free to attend

Sarah says, "I was born, and lived in Burbage virtually all my life. Married with 2 grown up children, I have pursued many hobbies and interests in a variety of arts and crafts. Around 30 years ago I took up traditional, victorian-style, rocking horse making and restoration, the first one being for my daughter. I found that this led to a further interest in wood carving, which I have been passionately pursuing for over 15 years. My subjects are mainly animals, using a variety of woods, and traditional hand-carving methods - mallets and gouges.

"I will set up a carving station and bring along some work in progress to demonstrate techniques and tools. I will also bring a selection of completed carvings."

Ukuladies

We are four friends who each bought a ukulele (or 2) and began meeting on an informal basis to have some fun playing together. It turned out that people quite liked what we did and we were invited to play our first ‘gig’ at a fundraiser in a back garden. We then decided to form a little group and the Ukuladies was born. Since 2022 we have become regular visitors at various nursing homes and other venues across the region and in doing so have raised several hundred pounds for good causes.

Having fun is still at the heart of what we do and we are delighted to have been invited to be part of BCAF this year.

We love playing together and so do others it would seem….

"A time of music, singing & fun by 4  talented ladies, who gave a very enjoyable presentation of songs from the last 50+ years, with lots of participation by a very enthusiastic audience. Not to be missed! Invite them to sing at your event - you won't be disappointed!”

Willow Weaving with Chaz Friend 1pm - 4 pm. Free to attend

Chaz says, "I am Chaz Friend , one time teacher for 24 years, now full time willow artist and willow craft tutor since 2014. I live in rural Warwickshire with my family and pets. I use cultivated willow to create items out of willow and basketry forms. I build steel armatures to make sculptures with a woven willow skin.

I work in schools ( and other groups such as scouts and guides, gardening groups and WI as well as businesses) across the Midlands and beyond, teaching ancient craft skills and making sculptural pieces. I run Local adult courses in Nuneaton ( and take these on the road further afield as requested), where I also sell willow products that I have made.

"I love nature and being out beneath the trees and willow craft is a connection point with creation as I step into the rhythm of her seasons. I have a base at Saints ( cafe, Learning and Enterprise Zone), Newdegate Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire."

Come and have a go and make your own willow fish or leaf to take away with you. For free!

Victorian Washday and Peg Rug displays and demonstrations from Hinckley Museum. Free to attend

Come and enjoy the experience of a Victorian Wash Day. What was wash day like over 100 years ago, before electric automatic washing machines, when the ‘chores’ had to be done by hand? Get dressed up and ready to collect water from the pump, use the dolly in the tub, the scrubbing board, rinsing and ringing out by hand. Hope for a fine windy day to get the clothes dried before using the flat iron to smooth out the creases. And if you had a spare moment to sit down, have a go at ‘pegging a rag rug’.

The Library will be offering Tea and Cakes for sale throughout the day, with an added special - "Dreamy Cow" Icecream.

When you're done, why not pop over to the Congregational Church to view the Hinckley and District Society of Arts, Arts & Craft Fair with more artists at work, and grab (another) cup of tea?

This event is suitable for adults, families and accompanied children.