Bringing Somerset’s most unique traditional crafts together in one book, celebrated artist Kate Lynch is shining a light on some lesser-known artisans.
Proving that rural crafts are very much alive and kicking, Kate has captured the timeless arts of bee skep coiling, paper making, glass blowing, thatching and sieve and riddle making, to name a few, in her new book Craft: Somerset Portraits And Voices.
Kate, famed for her rural documentary style, said: “For the past two years I have been making drawings and paintings of Somerset’s traditional craftspeople and collecting their stories.

“I have been out with 30 craftspeople and it has been heartening to witness the rich seam of age-old craftsmanship alive in Somerset.
The Castle Cary book launch is a great opportunity to hear more about the rich collection of Somerset’s heritage crafts.
There is the only remaining sieve and riddlemaker in the country and a hand-made papermaker working in a mill powered by a waterwheel.

Several craftspeople are from the Castle Cary area. There is a hedgelayer, Michael Jackson, from Weston Bampfylde, Jonny Tapp, a brushmaker from Lamyatt, wood-firing potters Jennie and Douglas Phillips from Queen Camel, and one of the few companies in the world weaving with horsehair in Castle Cary itself, John Boyd Textiles. The people featured tell their stories and histories and describe their passion for their craft. There are also blacksmiths, farriers, a glass blower, a bee skep maker, a horse harness maker, a dry stone waller and others. “I feel privileged to have spent time in the workshops of some of Somerset’s finest craftspeople, sketching them at work and hearing their stories. My charcoal drawings and paintings are my tribute to their knowledge and time-honoured skills.”

At a time when many are staying closer to home, buying locally, repurposing and reusing, Kate has documented the importance of these traditions, showing how they are thriving today.

Her celebration of these crafts has culminated in a book, and an exhibition which will be held at The Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury, open March 26 to June 5. Kate’s illustrated talk and book signing will take place at The Market House, Castle Cary on Wednesday March 30 at 6.30pm. Please email markethouse.bookings@castle-cary.co.uk to register your interest.

Duncan hackling horsehair at John Boyd Textiles

Alex Pole forging a knife