WELLIED walkers descended on Silverdale at the weekend for the village's first Greenwood Fair in more than a decade.

Despite the torrential rain, nature-lovers turned out for the two-day, event which saw Emmerdale star Emma Atkins who grew up in the seaside village and plays Charity Tate fronting the country-craft fair.

The event, led by the National Trust, saw crafts-people from across the Cumbria and Lancashire, including besom makers and stone-wallers demonstrating their traditional trades.

A vast marquee housed representatives from local and national conservation groups as well as local organic producers Martin and Arlene Fishwick, of Bank House Farm, and Paul Hughes, of Howbank Organic Farm, who were on hand to answer questions on buying locally.

Foodies were treated to Hedgerow Cookery' demonstrations by John Crouch while children were entertained with storytelling and music from the Crook Morris dancers.

The fair was seen as an opportunity for people

to see how work was carried out in the countryside and to promote local sustainability.

National Trust property manager for Lancashire

and South Cumbria Tim Ashberry described the weekend event as "a great success."

May 22, 2003 12:30