2025-10-20

A Night of Craft, Creativity, and Crime

A Night of Craft, Creativity, and Crime: Wilmslow's Double-Header Delights Huge Crowd

Wilmslow! What a fantastic night! We were truly blessed for the huge turnout on Thursday, 16th October, as local residents and enthusiasts of art, history, and literature gathered for a brilliant double-header of events. It was a busy, happy evening with plenty of laughter that sets the perfect tone for more one-off evening events throughout 2026! 

Spotlight on Northern Craftsmanship

The evening kicked off with a fascinating dive into design history. Author Barry Clark presented his talk, "The Art and Crafts movement in Manchester: an untold story," captivating the audience with his deep knowledge.The response was electric:

• "Getting such a good audience was superb. Many already had our book, and we sold quite a few more too!"• One attendee noted that Barry "talked widely and enthusiastically about Arts & Crafts in the North West. There are so many beautiful artefacts right on our doorstep waiting to be discovered, and the network of artists and craftsmen was fascinating."

A particularly inspiring takeaway for the creative community was the movement's progressive roots: "Perhaps the 'best bit' has to be the admission and recognition of talented women from the start.

Meet the Murderists: Unlocking the Secrets of Crime Writing

Shifting gears, the night got delightfully dark with the free literary panel, "Meet the Murderists." As the nights draw in, and the shadows around us deepen, what better to add to the autumnal thrills than to settle down with a good murder mystery? The event focused on the burning questions every reader and aspiring writer has: How are such stories crafted? Where do the ideas come from? What goes on in the heads of the authors—the very "murderists" who craft the stories we love?Attendees were treated to expert insight and insider tips from a fantastic line-up facilitated by Chris McDonald (author of the DI Eric Piper mysteries). The panel featured some of the genre's best:• Sarah Hilary, winner of the Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year.• Sean Watkin, shortlister for the McDermid Debut Award 2025.• Natalie Chandler, author of superb psychological thrillers.• Rob Parker, known for his Ben Bracken and Cam Killick series.It was the perfect counterpoint to the arts talk, proving that a love for the well-crafted—whether it's a beautiful local artefact or a chilling plot—brings people together for a night of educational fun!

Why Community Events Matter

Arranging high-quality, accessible community events is central to our mission. These gatherings are more than just a great night out; they are vital for improving the health and wellbeing of communities and reducing social isolation by creating a space where people can connect over a shared passion. By offering talks that advance local knowledge, we directly advance education in Wilmslow and the surrounding areas, giving participants a richer knowledge, skills, and understanding of local history and culture. Thank you to everyone who came and helped make this such a success!

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