This show always seems to clash with a major event, this time it was the World Cup match between England and Portugal. This, combined with the high temperatures, (30°C plus) drove the crowds to the beach rather than coming to this show. We had the pitch opposite the entrance with a barn behind us, which offered some shelter from the sun. I took the pole-lathe along, remembering ail the bits this year whereas last year I had to return home to collect the beds. I guess due to the fact that in the last few weeks we had a lot of practice at setting up the stand we appeared to get set up and ready very quickly.

Malcolm started the day by trying to turn a spoon blank on the lathe, which was hard work due to the state of the wood, and then trying to carve the bowl of the spoon, he went right through, creating the first slotted wooden spoon. I was busy making some mini gate hurdles to top up the stock and Jill & Steph were trying out various crafts including the pole-lathe.

But with clear blue skies and the sun beating down, most people wanted to sit in the shade and enjoy an ice cream or sorbet from Beaulieu Ice Cream. Unlike all the previous shows, sitting around was something we had time to do, as trade was very slow and the crowd sparse. What did amuse me was that one of the stallholders was selling handmade vases from Portugal, I did remark should
England lose then I did wonder what his stall might look like next morning. However there was not a big pile of crocks there on Sunday but no doubt like all the other stallholders, trade was light.

On Sunday the weather was even hotter, (trade about the same) but I did have the chance to use some chestnut on the pole-lathe, turning out a rather nice candlestick -what a joy to work such wood.

I guess we could not go through the whole summer with every show as busy as Stanmer and Henfield, however lets hope that the shows listed below are successful. Depending on the time of printing some of the following may have already gone but always keep in contact via the website or phone a committee member to find out more details. Hope to see you there either
side of the stand.

- Chris Burchell-Collins