Get ready for ‘biggest ever’ Dartmouth Art & Craft Weekend
Dartmouth’s Royal Avenue Gardens will host the ‘biggest ever’ Dartmouth Art & Craft Weekend this month.
The 16th annual event on June 29-30 will showcase 40 stalls exhibiting a huge variety of arts and crafts, and offer visitors the chance to talk to artists and crafters as they work.
There will be entertainment from a wide range of musical and dance performers, as well as plenty of homemade cakes, cream teas, sandwiches and teas.
Stalls for the event, being organised by the Dartmouth & District Friends Group of Children’s Hospice South West, sold out well in advance and the group hopes this year’s event will raise even more than the £5,000 raised at last year’s event.
Friends group member Sue Tweed said planning started in September last year and the group was looking forward to welcoming visitors during the two-day event, which takes place from 10am to 4pm each day.
The event gets bigger and better every year and we really do have a fantastic variety of arts and crafts to tempt locals and visitors to the area.
“As well as a whole host of artists and crafters, there will be sea shanty bands, a local children’s ukulele band, a local choir, jazz singer and band, and even a belly dancing group! 
“We are very lucky to have Royal Avenue Gardens and bandstand as our venue, and car parking is available adjacent to the event," added Sue.
“The exhibitors’ pitch fee and the proceeds from any fundraising stalls and the tea hut, as well as any donations received during the event, will go to CHSW to help the charity offer vital care and respite to more than 500 children with life-limiting conditions and their families across the South West.
“We are extremely grateful for the help of around 20 officer cadets from Dartmouth’s Britannia Royal Naval College, who help us to set up and pack away over the weekend. They truly are tremendous, and we can only express our gratitude with lots of thank yous, tea and cake!
“Last year’s event helped our small band of happy friends to raise £5,000 towards the £13,800 the group raised in total last year.”