WELL-KNOWN textile artist Angela Knapp from Castle Cary will be exhibiting at a charity event in aid of the National Kidney Federation early next month (December, 2015).
Angela, who specialises in creating unique images of birds, will be at the award-winning Clavelshay Barn Restaurant for its Land, Sea and Sky Exhibition on Monday, December 7.
She explained: “I’m delighted to have been invited to take part in this event. I will have a selection of my artwork on show and I will also be there to chat to visitors and show them how I create a piece from start to finish.
“I began my creative journey (in birds) back in 2014 with a blackbird and realised I needed to start experimenting to find a technique using fabric and thread that allowed me to add small details. I have always drawn and painted but a move to Somerset in 2008 finally gave me the time to experiment and having discovered the wonders of fabric I bought my first sewing machine. After making lots of traditional quilts and experimenting with textile art in landscapes, I started to experiment with a piece based on a blackbird, 11 pieces later it’s become an obsession!
“By the time this piece was finished I knew that the theme of birds was one that I had to dedicate myself to. I’m really looking forward to meeting people at the event and giving them an insight into my world of work.”
Sue Milverton co-owner of Clavelshay Barn Restaurant near Taunton is organising the exhibition to celebrate Somerset’s landscapes, seascapes and skyscapes while also helping raise funds for the National Kidney Federation, a charity close to her heart.
Sue explained: “Like most of the population, I had never ever thought about kidney disease before. That is, until my father, Leslie, aged 86, became very ill last year with kidney failure, and who is now having to undertake kidney dialysis three times a week.
“Suddenly we were thrust into a world of hospital appointments and eventually dialysis. We became aware of the large numbers of people who suffer from similar problems, and of the amazing job that the dialysis centres do for these patients.
“The regional centre for renal disease is based in Exeter, where they look after a population of almost one million in Devon and Somerset. My father is lucky to have his treatment at the Taunton Dialysis Unit at Creech Castle, Taunton, which is closer to his home.
“The care he has been given is exceptional and is enabling him to live a normal life, and my parents were fortunate to be able to celebrate their diamond wedding earlier this year.”
The fundraising art and crafts evening at Clavelshay Barn Restaurant will be in aid of the National Kidney Federation and will take place on Monday, December 7 from 6pm until 9pm.
Sue continued: “Being a sustainable restaurant serving seasonal food, we’re very closely linked to the local environment so hosting an event like this here with the Land, Sea and Sky theme seemed very apt.
“The evening will take the form of an arts and crafts exhibition with the theme of the land, sea and sky. These are the things which we work closely with here being located on a working farm.”
Admission to the general public will be free. There will also be complimentary wine tastings. Sue will be serving mince pies and mulled wine during the evening too.
Clavelshay Barn Restaurant is an award-winning restaurant within a lovingly restored and converted 18th century stone barn at the foot of the picturesque Quantock Hills.
It is set on a family-run farm that produces its own milk, beef, pork, lamb and eggs, which all feature in its top quality and tasty dishes.
Sue added: “At Clavelshay we also strive to use as much produce as possible from the farm and the surrounding countryside. We use our own pork, rose veal, wild rabbit, pigeon and pheasant. We have a walled garden where we grow salad leaves, herbs, soft fruit and vegetables. If it is not possible to use our own produce, we only use local suppliers who can provide us with quality local produce which is fully traceable.”
The restaurant’s menu is always based on fresh, seasonal ingredients and all the dishes served are created with love by its experienced and talented Chef Olivier Certain.
The restaurant, which has a Taste of the West Gold Award, is open in the evenings from Wednesday to Saturday with dinner served from 7pm. It is also open for Sunday lunches from 12noon until 2pm.
The fundraising art and crafts evening at Clavelshay Barn Restaurant will take place on Monday, December 7 from 6pm until 9pm. For further details, please call 01278 662629 or visit www.clavelshaybarn.co.uk.