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40 Years of Alford Craft Market and 100 Years of Alford Crafts
To celebrate our 40th Anniversary we are taking a look back at the crafts and trades that existed in the town 100 years ago.
Each event will be tailored to offer a variety of demonstrations, guided tours and talks about the town and its craftsmen. We will take this opportunity to also display a retrospective of our 40 years as a craft market. In 1974, the term Craft Market was unheard of and many people flocked to Alford to appreciate quality handmade work. Alford Craft Market was the only one of its kind in the county. It is a tremendous achievement to still be a thriving place for crafts 40 years on. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Heather and Michel Ducos who originated the market and ran it for 20 years, and the successive committee members who made it possible for the market to continue to this day. If you have never been to Alford Craft Market, don't miss it this year! If you used to go to Alford Craft market in days gone by, please come and see us this year. We welcome your memories, email us. 
Our Christmas Market on 23rd-24th November was a huge success, with Alford Morris, Banjo Bob and our little Madrigal band all contributing to the festive atmosphere. People described it as 'One big Party' having enjoyed all the food and entertainment in a warm newly refurbished and brightly lit Corn Exchange, and rewarded us by buying lots of gorgeous things from our talented makers.
We are planning to do it all over again on the 7th and 8th of December....this time there will be special Christmas fudge and some new traders. 
Alford Craft Market Christmas Markets.
This year why not make a change to your Christmas shopping? Many people are turning away from the big stores with their mass produced goods in search of something different and we believe the answer is to buy local! Alford Craft Market’s Christmas events are a fantastic opportunity to buy from the best local artisans who are offering a variety of fine quality, original gifts and seasonal produce. Buying handmade gives you the chance to find something beautiful and unique, that shows the thought and care you have taken in choosing it, and that has also been made with thought and care! The artisans at Alford Craft Markets are friendly and approachable and always happy to help in your quest for that perfect something. The Christmas Markets will be held at the Corn Exchange over two different weekends, the first will be Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th November and the second will be Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th December, 2013. There will be a range of goods available, and as we go to press we have jewellery makers, glass artists, batik & felt artists, oil painters, soap & body care, wood-turners, potters and more; we also have seasonal produce, jams & chutneys, honey, Christmas cakes and fudge. The event is indoors, in the newly decorated Corn Exchange with refreshments and live music to make your shopping experience a pleasant one. Opening times are 10 a m – 5 p m. Come along, solve your some of your gift buying dilemmas, buy something wonderful and support your local economy…. Alford Craft Market is looking forward to your visit. August Bank Holiday success!Just under 6000 people came through the gates of Alford Manor House to visit Alford Craft Market. 27 stalls offered a variety of quality handmade products from the region made by local artists and artisans. We were delighted with quality music and theatre performances for 3 days running.
Make the town of Alford your destination for this August 24th, 25th, 26th. We will be holding our 39th annual Bank Holiday market.
A 3 day festival that really is the jewel in the crown of Alford Craft Market's season of events, held in the delightful surroundings of the Alford Manor House grounds, right in the centre of the picturesque market town. There will be a variety of artisans offering their own original hand crafted works for sale, ranging from unique jewellery pieces, original ceramics, glassware, paintings, portrait making, wood crafts and many more diverse and original wares. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet the people who make their crafts and wether you are looking for that special gift to give or something for yourself you will certainly find something unique and well made that you won't find on the high street. In addition of the craft stalls, there will be other attractions including "make and take" workshops, a large music marquee with many original artists from near and far, street theatre groups, and children entertainment. Along with food and drink onsite this event offers a truly family friendly experience. Alford Craft Market events are organised by volunteers from the local community and the event is supported by local businesses. To keep this vibrant community tradition going we really do need your support. Admission to the event is by donation, so please come along and give what you can afford, have fun, be entertained and go home with something original made by someone you met. Let's celebrate Lincolnshire, our talent and diversity! For full program check the events page. Weekly Summer Markets
Alford craft market will be taking part in the town weekly markets throughout the summer
Watch for the green and white stall covers. TUESDAYS INSIDE AT ALFORD CORN EXCHANGE 10am – 4pm, starting 9th July to 20th August. FRIDAYS OUTSIDE ON ALFORD MARKET PLACE 9am – 3pm, starting 12th July - 16th August. Beautiful crafts, skilfully hand made items. Following from the great success...
...of Alford Craft Market’s Festival of Glass event at which 3,000 people enjoyed the sunny weather, and the diverse demonstrations and workshops on offer in the Manor House grounds, the Craft Market will be holding a market in the Corn Exchange, Alford Market Place, every Tuesday from the 9th of July, 10 am – 4 pm and a new market in Alford Market Place every Friday from 12th of July until the August Bank Holiday when the big Crafts, Music and Theatre Festival takes place, again at the Manor House.
The new Craft Market Committee, who are all volunteers and dedicated to keeping the rich heritage of Alford Craft Market as strong and vibrant as ever coming up to our 40th anniversary would like to thank all those who have offered them support including Alford Town Group, Gnutti Powertrain, Alford Manor House, East Lindsey, The European Fund for Rural Development, Lives, BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Skegness Standard, Glen Keeler Construction, Safelincs and the people of Alford. They will be asking for volunteers to man the gates at the August event as although there has been considerable financial support from various agencies, donations from the public are essential to keep the high standard of entertainment and workshops assured for future events. Anyone wishing to offer an hour or two of their time should contact Alford Craft Market on 01507 463468. www.skegnessstandard.co.uk/ news/local/thousands-flock-to-alford-craft-market www.alfordmanorhouse.co.uk |
Support from the communityAlford craft market relies almost entirely on donations to pay for venues and for professional artists: demonstrators, performers, artists running workshops.
This year we are extremely pleased and grateful for the help from Alford Town Council provided to make August bank holiday possible. They are a few ways you can help us throughout the year if you wish to see Alford Craft Market continue its 40 year tradition. You can now donate through the Coop community Champion scheme: 1- Click on the button below, 2- Select "Choose your community Champion", you can search the list, to select a specific group you will need to sign in. 3- Log in to the members area (you will need your dividend card number, email address and you will be asked to set a password), 4- Select " change community Champions preferences", 5- Use the search facility to find a group, select them and log out. If you wish to contribute in a different way we always welcome your help.
If you would like to become a ‘Friend of Alford Craft Market’ and spend an hour or two welcoming visitors at the gate over the bank holiday weekends we would love to hear from you. The craft market is run entirely by a small committee of volunteers and we are finding it hard to cover all the jobs between us, so if you can lend a hand with this vital task please contact our membership secretary: priscillamcgirr@btinternet.com Next year will be our 40th anniversaryWe are already planning next year. Alford Craft Market was born in 1974, the first market of its kind in the area, possibly in the UK as a whole. We wish to celebrate 40 years of craftsmanship.
We would like to know your earliest memories of Alford craft market, if you have any photographs you would be happy to share, please email us. Thank you for your contribution. Mailing listIf you wish to know about our events in advance please send us your email or postal address:
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