Teas, coffees and soft drinks, delicious homemade cakes and lunches in the cool of the upstairs Hall were welcomed by visitors to Wimborne's annual Folk Festival. The church forecourt invited visitors with tables and umbrellas, stalls of gifts, books and jig-saws. The Ukulele Band entertained on the forecourt with songs which had people toe-tapping and singing along. This year had an added attraction of an Arts and Crafts Exhibition.
Sally Shepard, a Weave Tutor with The Creative Skills Hub at Sixpenny Handley, gave weaving demonstrations for both young and old and displayed cushions, bags and many articles made by the students. The Happy Patchers Quilting Group displayed and demonstrated their beautiful work which attracted many conversations.
Lynne Mabey, Bernie Lusher and Andy Smith loaned some truly outstanding works of art, along with Silk paintings by Margarete Tucknott added to the colour and diversity of the exhibition. One of the senior members of the church, Mabel Card, exhibited some of her delicate lace work, and olive wood carvings from The Holy Land drew interest. There was also a quiet prayer corner for people to remember their friends.
Even though Sunday's rain dampened the numbers, the Ukulele Band played and sang inside and just under £2,000 was raised over the weekend. MOSAIC, the charity for bereaved children in Dorset will benefit from the weekend efforts of Wimborne Methodist Church.
