24th April 2025 • The HERALD • Page 11 v SHOP LOCALLY FOR SERVICE & VALUE v NEW FOREST PLUMBING AND MAINTENANCE 24/7 LTD *YOUR LOCAL 24 HOUR EMERGENCY CALL OUT PLUMBER* We provide a wide range of plumbing services, with an established reputation for quality, service and customer satisfaction. www.newforestplumbing247.com Contact us on 07912 092557 or 023 8194 0237 newforestplumbing@yahoo.com Crafted by the Forest: A Celebration of Local Makers and Traditions New Forest Marque Local Produce scheme is showcasing the exceptional skills of its unique cra members in an exhibition at the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst. e cra ers include wood and textile workers, potters, and jewellery makers, who live and create their wares locally, sourcing at least 25% of their materials from the land to meet the stringent criteria for the New Forest Marque stamp. Both the New Forest Marque and the Heritage Centre are passionate about highlighting the intrinsic connection between the people that live and work in the New Forest and the natural environment. is synergy is apparent in the way the cra producers select and use their materials, some with niche techniques that go back centuries, while others bring more contemporary, innovative practices with an emphasis on sustainability. A key participant in the exhibition is Alex Potter of A S Potter Instruments. Alex designs and creates bespoke guitars and other instruments from scratch in his studio in Sway. He sources the timber for his instruments from the New Forest. He said: “If I can use an ash tree cut in Brockenhurst, processed in East Boldre and then further re-sawn in my workshop in Sway, that timber has potentially travelled less than 20 miles from tree to guitar. Using local, recycled and considerately sourced timbers does present challenges, but it also produces instruments with unique character and a special connection to the Forest.” Alex will show his handcra ed instruments and demonstrate his creative process. Another featured artisan is Rosie Wesley, a metalworker and jewellery designer who uses materials gathered from the Forest, such as tree bark, acorns, and leaves. rough direct casting techniques, she transforms these natural elements into one-of-a-kind pieces of jewellery. Other exhibitors include Brick Kiln Pottery, Alpaca Apparel, BearWood, Hollyhock Flock, New Forest Mohair, Cyril’s Soap Shed, Kristy Gray Designs, and Pondhead Conservation Trust. New Forest Marque Chair Dan Parsons said: “The New Forest Marque was founded over 20 years ago, however many producers have a long generational history of living and working in the New Forest. Snapshots in time and interesting artefacts relating to local traditions at the New Forest Heritage Centre, Main Car Park, Lyndhurst SO43 7NY. Entry is free, however the Heritage Centre receives no public funding and therefore visitor contributions are welcomed. associated with livestock rearing, textiles production, crafts, food and farming can all be found amongst the archives at the Heritage Centre. It’s a hugely valuable community hub filled with folklore, stories and rich history, and there’s always something interesting to see, hear or experience. The New Forest Marque is excited to be partnering with the Centre on this project.” e exhibition will run until 5th May, 10am–5pm, New Forest Marque member Alex Potter of A S Potter Instruments hand carving a guitar, (Photo: Steve Poole) New Forest Marque member Rosie Wesley metalworker and jewellery maker (Photo: Steve Poole)
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