BATHURST’S rich artisan history was on show across the weekend, with families young and old taking the opportunity to learn more about traditional arts and trades.
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Ten sites across Bathurst were featured in the two-day Artisan Trades Trail, with the community invited along to meet a wide range artisans including blacksmiths, lace makers, french polishers, cottage garden experts and even a convict or two.
The Bathurst Wiradyuri community invited people to join them in making a possum skin cloak, while on Saturday, more than 140 people visited Miss Trail’s House to learn how to make lace.
Blacksmith Tom Miller was among the artisans at the Agriculture Research Station site, and he said while the craft may have been a “necessity” 100 years ago, it was still practiced today.
Bathurst Family History Group’s Jacqui Rudge was one of the volunteers behind the event, and she said it had been hugely successful.
“The feedback we’re getting has been amazing. They’re saying that they’ve loved being able to see these unique trades,” she said.
“It’s been a very successful weekend, we didn’t know what to expect, but we’ve been very very busy.”
This was the first time the Artisan Trades Trail has been held in Bathurst to showcase traditional craftsmanship.