Date: 22/11/2007
Fourteen new exhibitors showcasing everything from jewellery to photography are set to display their wide-ranging work at the pre-Christmas Artists and Designers Fair at Buxton's Pavilion Gardens.
Ceramics, fine art, furniture, garden sculpture, leather handbags, lino prints, stained glass, steel candle sticks and textiles will also feature among the quality arts, crafts and design-led products created by newcomers to the Fair, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, 8 and 9 December.
Among the new exhibitors from the High Peak will be wildlife and nature photographer Geoff Simpson of New Mills, leather handbag maker Simon Brough of New Mills and lino print maker Rosemary Vanns of The Wash.
Those from further afield will include textile designer Yvonne Noworyta of Disley, jewellery maker Lucy Palmer of Cubley, Ashbourne, jewellery makers Claire Brickley of Derby and Anna France of Woore, near Crewe and photographer Jon Cruttenden of Leek, Staffordshire.
Others will be Adam Reynolds of Sheffield, who makes garden sculptures; Michael Barr of Lichfield, who specialises in art, photography and furniture; still life artist Steve Elliott of Sheffield; stained glass maker Jayne Ford of Manchester; ceramicist David Pantling and steel candle stick and holder maker Adrian Stapleton, both of Nottingham.
These new exhibitors will be among more than 50 local and regional artisans who will attend the Fair, which will offer free admission to all between 10am and 4.30pm on both days.
Lovers of good food will also be in for a festive treat at the final Regional Food Fair of the year at the Pavilion Gardens, on Saturday 15 December, when delicacies ranging from beer and bread to hand made chocolates and sweets will be on sale from 10am to 4pm.
New exhibitors at the free event will be Emma Oko of The Full Ladle in Buxton, who will offer a range of hand-crafted pies and steamed puddings, and Sarah Beckett of Natural Game in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, who supplies a selection of game, pheasants, venison, partridge, pigeon, rabbit and duck.
They will join around 30 existing exhibitors offering everything from organic, lamb, beef and mutton to smoked fish and pate and more exotic foods, such as water buffalo meat and products and samosas.
"We are pleased to welcome so many new exhibitors to the final two specialist fairs of the year at the Pavilion Gardens," said Councillor Tony Kemp, High Peak Borough Council's Executive Member for Economic Regeneration.
"I am sure the range and quality of local and regionally produced art and craft items, food and drink will please both local people and visitors of all ages and tastes in the busy run-up to Christmas."