Crafted by the Forest: A Celebration of Local Makers and Traditions
PUBLISHED ON: 25 MARCH 2025
This April the New Forest Marque Local Produce scheme will showcase the exceptional skills of its unique craft members in an exhibition at the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst.
The crafters 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. This synergy is apparent in the way the craft 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 handcrafted 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. Through 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 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.’
The exhibition will run from 11 April until 5 May 10am – 5pm 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.
www.newforestheritagecentre.org.uk
About the New Forest Marque:
The New Forest Marque is a food and produce scheme set up to champion businesses who pride themselves on producing and providing food, drinks and crafts with clearly defined New Forest provenance. The New Forest Marque also works to protect, encourage, and promote the traditional practices which help to fashion the iconic landscape found in the New Forest. It is supported by the New Forest National Park Authority.
Photo credit: Alex Potter by Russell Sach
