Spoon festival coming to town

Spoonsmith, Jeff Donne recently came back from the UK where, deep in a windblown valley, he indulged in Spoonfest.

"Spoon what?" is the most common response, but according to the Pambula spoonsmith, the spoonie tribe is on the rise.

“It's so satisfying to see an old craft, a once nearly lost craft, now finding its way back into mainstream Australia,” Mr Donne said. 

Now, together with another spoon carver from Melbourne, Mr Donne is setting up Spoon Jam.

"Spoon carvers aren't a subculture any more, they're everyday folk. They're into craft and physical expression, and they're really into doing so much more with their hands than just swiping and typing.

"It's a little festival with space for just 20 people, and it's just right for people with no tool skills whatsoever; and for those who have dabbled in axe and knife carving there's still plenty to learn.”

Mr Donne will be joined by Pete Trott who runs spoon carving workshops from Rundell & Rundell's place in Kyneton near Melbourne.

There'll be workshops, a spoon and tool shop, spoons on display from some of the world's best carvers, and “at tools down we'll all go for a beer and fish and chips - and ice cream if you're busting to use your freshly carved spoon - at Pambula Beach".

Spoon Jam is on October 22 and 23 at the Panboola Wetlands Heritage Project in Pambula NSW. Weekend tickets cost $200. If you're interested in being part of the first Australian spoon carving festival, go to www.spoonsmith.com.au or call Jeff on 0417 882 074.

The Merimbula Evening VIEW Club will hold it’s next dinner meeting at Club Sapphire on Tuesday, October 4, at 6pm. The cost is $22. The guest speaker is Shane Grace who will be talking about his Pilgrim’s Walk around Spain. If attending, please phone Barbara by Monday, October 3 on 6495 1642.