Medieval Weekend.
8 September, 2025 – 8:08 amWhat a wonderful weekend I had at the Betteshanger Country Park, when pit heads dotted the landscape, this was a slag heap for the local coal mines, once a barren landscape, it has been turned into a visitor centre and nature reserve.
The Sandwich Medieval centre and the owners of the park decided to bring us all together here to celebrate and educate.
Here’s my set up.
https://www.betteshanger-park.co.uk/
Some of my fellow traders.
There was a shoemaker there who said that they could make me some steel toe capped medieval shoes. Might need to save up a bit.
I have been taking part in events with the Medieval centre since 2022 when I decided that I wanted to spend more time with my family but couldn’t just shut my business for a week.
This is the link to the first post I wrote that year, there are more detailing the progress and other events that I took part in back in 2022.
https://www.catseyecarving.co.uk/2022/05/demonstration-carving
I designed and started a carving that would showcase the wonders of stonemasonry and carving, a complicated project that would see me through the Summer of events. I based my design on a medieval capital, featuring 4 medieval characters, the capital, an architectural feature, standing on a pillar with an arch springing from the top. obviously that would be a corresponding one to support the arch on the other side.
As a result of this carving, I caught the interest of the Maison Dieu and so this collaboration was born and I couldn’t find the time to finish my carving.
As it is the 20th Anniversary of my business this year, I decided to get back out and take part in more events this year. I had to replace my vehicle and now I can get everything that I need in the boot with the seats down, so putting two bankers in and all my equipment, stock and shelves in although tricky, means that I can take more out. I brought my carving with me to finish and while I’m still a few hours away from finishing, I’m glad to say that it is almost there.
I decided to finish the top by carving a plait detail. I’ll put the photos of the finished carving up as soon as it’s finished. I might still carve a pillar and a pedestal for this though.
The line in the bottom of the stone was a flaw in the stone, I knew it was here and this was one of the reasons that I chose the stone for this demonstration piece, I need to keep the good bits for my commissions. I’ll tidy up and repair it properly once I have finished the carving.
I might even be able to fit more in.
Next event is at the Sunken garden on the 21st September, I will be demonstrating and you can come and have a go. I can’t get close with my car so I won’t be able to take much to sell.
https://thesunkengarden.co.uk/sunken-garden-eco-fair-2025/
