STICKMAKERS will be looking to out-carve one another at this year’s Kenilworth Show.
Traditionally a country craft, stickmaking sees people carve and refine their sticks – which are traditionally made from sheep’s horn – into their own inspired creations.
The show is at Stoneleigh Park on Saturday June 10 featured stickmaking last year, but this summer will also host a leg of the UK national stickmaking championships.
Ian Moore, secretary of the British Stickmakers Guild and lead organiser for the Kenilworth Show, hopes the competition will encourage younger people to take up the traditional craft.
Ian said: “We had a lot of local entrants last year and hopefully we’ll get people participating from a wider geographical area this year considering it is part of the national competition.
“Hopefully we can make it interesting for people, add to the show and broaden the interest in stickmaking in general.
Boasting more than 2,000 members, the British Stickmakers Guild includes members from Australia, New Zealand, Tazmania and Canada.
Heads of the sticks usually feature British countryside birds and mammals – including kingfishers, grouse and hares.
Judges will select the winning sticks in the 14 different classes at the Kenilworth Show, including two novice classes for people who have never entered a competition before, and even an under 12 category.
There are more than 30 stickmaking competitions across the UK each year and it is estimated 8,000 people regularly make sticks.
Visit www.kenilworthshow.co.uk for further information about the Kenilworth Show.
