September has proven to be a very crafty and creative month for us at the cemetery. At the start of the month, we successfully hosted a craft fair in the Community Hub. Wombwell is blessed with talented individuals who are all too keen to sell their creations, so our tables were snapped up!
We saw traders selling crochet, magnificent macramé, handmade wooden ornaments, loose tea blends, bath bombs and soaps, candles and wax melts, handmade resin ornaments and more.
The locals who came to support the traders made sure they bought from our fantastic traders and the event was a success. This was our second craft fair and we hope to plan some more in for the next few years!
Our second event was our annual Heritage Open Days weekend, the theme being 'Creativity Unwrapped'. This fit nicely in following our craft fair, and it was quite easy to research considering Wombwell has always been the home of creative talents.
We shared the stories of Elsie Wright, a Carmen Miranda performer who raised thousands of pounds for charities close to her; of Willie Johnson, secretary and violinist for the Ibbotson String Band; of Joss Hudson, local historian, entomologist, and amazing writer who regularly submitted his written works to the Barnsley Chronicle; and of Colin Clarkson, a successful artist who regularly returned to Wombwell and did so once to restore Summer Lane Methodist Church's banner.
In addition, we displayed headstone symbolism to highlight the incredible work of stonemasons from past to present, we shared a brief history of funerary art and traditions from different countries, and we had a design your own stained glass window activity for anybody to do. We also had works of art on show, including two wooden hand-carved boxes and a chair, and some delicate, intricate lace, all from the families of locals who support the cemetery.
While we're done for September, there will be a coffee morning in support of the Leo's Mission charity on 30th September from the Hub. Meanwhile, we'll be planning for our Remembrance Day service and our Carol Service!
Comments