THE stunning setting of the Howgills provides the backdrop for one of the county's biggest and best annual exhibitions.

Celebrating 14 years of successive shows, Cumbria Craft Guild and its creative members are holding their annual showcase at the newly-renovated Farfield Mill, at Sedbergh, a fresh face for the former woollen mill, now transformed into a well-lit gallery, craft shop, plus studio space for resident artists.

From all accounts the Garsdale Road venue (right) is on track to becoming a major arts and heritage attraction.

The many hats of the guild will be on show from tomorrow (Saturday) until October 27 (10.30am-5pm): felt-making, silk painting, rag-rugging, embroidery and tapestry, sculpture and ceramics, woodwork including cabinet making, blacksmithing and jewellery.

In addition, the guild is staging a series of craft demonstrations at Farfield - the first on Sunday featuring Barbara Youren on machine applique.

Others include feltmaking with Jane Crowe, on Sunday, October 6; silk paper with Jan Hicks on Saturday, October 12; embroidery and textile art from Elizabeth Cottam, on Saturday, October 13; and more, all running from 11.30am-3.30pm on their respective dates.