Sugar Display of Blackpool Wins Award

Members of the Blackpool and Fylde Branch of the British Sugarcraft Guild (BSG) have been working hard over the last three months to create their branch table display for the Sugarcraft North competition themed "Celebrating the Glories of Northern England".

The Branch table, titled, "Wish you were here.... A Postcard map of Glorious Blackpool" was awarded GOLD and Best in Class by the judges who work to criteria set by the BSG.
 
Inspired by postcard “Maps”, where local icons are exaggerated, artists impressions of the Blackpool Skyline, which use artistic licence on scale and geographical correctness, and of course, Blackpool Saucy Postcards for a good dose of Northern seaside humour, well-known spectacular sites like The Blackpool Tower, The Pleasure Beach “Big One”, Coral Island’s famous pirate skull, Central Pier’s Big Wheel, Lytham Windmill and Daffodils, The Lifeboat Centre, Sealife and The Winter Gardens as well as Blackpool’s Heritage Trams, the Illuminations and horse and carriage rides, were depicted in a beach scene all made from sugar in various forms.
 
Chair of the branch, Carol Haycox said, "This has been a wonderful experience for the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre branch members to work together, get to know each other better and learn from one another, all central tenants of the British Sugarcraft Guild"

Blackpool and Fylde FE College have been very generous in allowing us to use one of their kitchens once a week, thanks to College Tutor and Committee member Karen Gordon. Branch Members have also hosted at their houses on weekends too, giving us opportunity to create, chat and of course, eat cake!. Karen has calculated that a mammoth 500 hours of work have gone into this project.
 
The display was required to show original work by members of the BSG Branch and show a wide range of skills. It was marked against criteria including its overall visual appearance, interpretation of the theme, skills and mediums used, staging and backdrops and the "Wow" factor.

Judges said, "it was just impressive, drawing you in from a distance with light, movement and sound, the enormity of pieces without being cluttered shows great planning and collaboration. The planning, the Wow factor and the cohesive colour tones, not necessarily the quality of each individual piece as everyone in the branch should get involved, is what gets you Gold." 
 
The Branch meet on the third Thursday of each month (except August and December) in The Stables at All Hallows Church in Bispham (FY2 0AY). Anyone is welcome to attend to watch the demonstrations or join in the workshops as a visitor to the branch (entrance fee payable), there is no need to become a member of the BSG, although this does provide many additional benefits.  They describe themselves as a friendly bunch who have a lot of fun learning new skills and eating cake! 

Their next meeting is on Thursday 18th April, where the Winning Branch table will be on display and there will be a demonstration from Sandra Grice of how to make Osteospermum (African Daisies).
 
You can contact members of the committee, including Jackie Heighton, Branch Secretary to find out more or find them on Facebook.