The Contemporary Craft Festival wins Tourism Event of the Year at the Visit Devon Tourism Awards 2015
Written: 19 November 2015
The Contemporary Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey, has been announced as the winner in the ‘Tourism Event of the Year’ category at the Visit Devon Tourism Awards for the second year running.
The ‘Gold’ award was presented to the event’s Director, Sarah James, at a sold-out ceremony at Plymouth’s Holiday Inn on Thursday the 26th of November 2015. Now in its sixth year, the awards celebrate the breadth of Devon’s tourism offer.
Sarah James said: “We are absolutely delighted and honoured to be awarded ‘Tourism Event of the Year’ at the awards for the second year running. We work extremely hard to improve and develop the festival each year and it is deeply satisfying to be recognised for our work. It’s been a great team effort!’
In addition to winning the same award in 2014, the festival also won ‘Tourism Event of the Year’ at the Herald Express Hospitality & Tourism Awards 2014 and the organisers also took home ‘Silver’ in the ‘Tourism Event of the Year’ category of the South West Excellence Awards 2014.
Contemporary Craft Festival 2016
10,000 visitors regularly visit The Contemporary Craft Festival, one of the UK’s most prestigious and much loved craft events in the UK. This year’s event takes place between June 10th and 12th. Over 200 of the UK’s finest makers will be exhibiting and this year’s programme is brimming with workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, StartUP (formerly One Year On), craft curiosities, children’s activities and entertainment, street theatre, festival food and live music.
New features for 2016 include the Vintage Cinema, hosted in an original 1967 bus, showing archive design films and short films of contemporary makers. And Textile Tent, held in association with Plymouth College of Art, returns with hands on craft activities. More details will be announced in early 2016.
Contemporary Craft Festival Shop celebrates ‘Small Business Saturday’
The Contemporary Craft Festival Shop will be joining other independent retailers in Bovey Tracey and marking ‘Small Business Saturday’ on the 5th of December 2016. As well as offering customers 10% off, Tracey Benton from Benton’s Menagerie will be demonstrating 3D needlefeltmaking and shoppers can enjoy festive local treats while they browse.
The shop is brimming with unique handmade gifts from many of the festival’s exhibitors, which make perfect Christmas gifts. Makers include Jennifer Collier, Katie Almond ceramics, Kate Glanville, Boop Designs, Helen Round textiles, Bethan Jones ceramics and Anne Morgan jewellery.
The Christmas collection was launched last week and includes beautiful handmade ceramics, jewellery, lighting, textiles and much more – perfect as unique gifts this Christmas.
