ONE of Cornwall’s biggest arts and crafts events is one of the first major dates in the diary for a newly-completed £230,000 community hall.

Since 1999, annual exhibitions at Linkinhorne Parish Hall at Upton Cross, have married the works of internationally renowned artists with local amateurs and schoolchildren, created a stage for craft workers to demonstrate their skills, offered home-made refreshments and shown off the work of local groups from poets to the ladies of the WI.

The event has raised well over £32,000 for local causes since its formation and been visited by thousands of people.

Now the 2017 event will have a new-look home — since last summer’s exhibition, Linkinhorne Parish Hall has been demolished and rebuilt following a fund-raising drive by local people.

“The new hall is a superb new facility for the community and will be a great showcase for the artists and craftspeople who take part in the exhibition,” said Ruth Carthew.

Artist Ruth, who created the arts and crafts event and has organised it each year with Brian Hooper, is staging this year’s exhibition from August 12 to 20, 10am to 6pm each day.

Ruth said: “There are literally thousands of items on show and for sale. We’ll also have outside plant stalls, craft demonstrations and a visit from Treat Yourself from Liskeard.

“The children can even go for a play in the new play area right next to the new hall.

“Every day we add new pieces so the exhibition is ever-changing and people come again and again while it’s on.”

Homemade refreshments are available all day, every day.

This year’s event will raise funds — through a raffle and entry-by-donation contributions — for the continuing refurbishment of the Jubilee Field neighbouring the hall.