Organisers ‘really happy’ as entries rise for Eisteddfod arts and crafts
Trophies and awards were handed out on Saturday in a packed hall of Eisteddfod exhibits.
Eisteddfod president Owen Cole said the exhibition, which was up at Beau Sejour all last week, had been going really well.
‘We have has an increase in entrants, particularly with school entries, and it looks amazing,’ he said.
‘We are really happy with it.’
He said he had a chance to talk to some of the entrants, and he found many of them were entering for the first time. He hoped they would return next year.
Eisteddfod president and Bailiff Sir Richard McMahon opened the awards, with Lt-Governor Richard Cripwell handing out the cups and prizes.
Lyndsey Longson, 41, won the trophy for general excellence in drawing for her colour pencil drawing of her late father Nev Browing. The former farmer, who used to live on the Plaisance Road, was depicted attending Mrs Longson’s wedding. It took her about three weeks to complete the drawing, which she did in the evenings after work.
‘He always talked to everyone and was telling jokes,’ she said.
‘He would have been chuffed [with the picture being on display]. I’m really pleased with it.’
After being exhibited, the picture is being gifted to Mrs Longson’s nephew, who was close to his grandfather.
The trophy for best sugarcraft exhibit went to the National Sugar Art Association – Guernsey Branch. The group, which has about 13 members, decided to make a shoe display, with about 30 pairs of footwear.
Member Dina Srodzinsky said the children’s shoes were a bit easier than the adult shoes. Some of the shoes had suffered after a week on display in the humid hall, with one heel being lost.
But the group was happy to pick up the trophy.
‘We are really pleased with the display,’ she said.
‘We try to do different skills and it is a nice social gathering.’
Ann Wragg was able to take home the trophy for most points in the flower arranging class for the second year running. Her Jack and the Beanstalk-inspired display was about five feet tall, but fortunately it could be taken apart to fit in the car to get to Beau Sejour.
‘I’ve always been interested in flower arranging, but I really got into it a few years ago,’ she said.
Her work with Floral Guernsey has given her chance to meet with designers from the UK, she said, and they helped to inspire her.
The Eisteddfod Guernsey Exhibition Expo is open in the Royal Court Foyer, St Peter Port until Thursday 3 April.
It contains a showcase of entries from across this year’s Eisteddfod, including photography, calligraphy and textiles.
