By Isle of Wight Observer
The 70th anniversary of the MacNaughton-Howe Craft Festival produced a record number of entries in St Catherine’s Church, Ventnor, across the weekend.
The event is one of the oldest arts and crafts festivals in the South of England, and grows from strength to strength with a 312 per cent increase in exhibits since 2019.
Christine Larcombe, chairman of MacNaughton-Howe, said: “Many shows like ours died out and, to be honest, we almost lost ours. But, with the support of the Islanders, we are turning it around slowly.
“Some of our exhibitors work all year on their entries. The standards are always high and I can’t believe they get higher every year, it’s incredible.
“This year being 70th anniversary, we asked if anyone could help us celebrate and make us something special with 70. Two ladies, Diane Fuller and Debbie Evans, rose to the challenge and created five beautiful works between them.
“Cups were given to Georgina Moon, who won both the Art Cup and the Photography Cup. It was Georgina’s first year of exhibiting and she said she has never won anything before so was very happy.
“The Needlework and Craft Cups went to Joyce Royle. The chairman’s Choice Cup was given to Diana Turner for her exhibit of a felted hare. Our children’s trophies went to Lucas Hamilton, Elizabeth Hamilton and Humphrey Crawley. “
A Poppy workshop has made around 700 crafted poppies. Prizes were presented by Ventnor Town Councillor, Steph Toogood.
Mal Butler 
Isle of Wight Observer