First Exhibition of 2024 in The Loft Gallery

Opening Times 2024

The Workshop and Loft Gallery is closed throughout January,

reopening at 10am Thursday, February 1st.

We will be open mornings only, from 10am to 1pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

From March 1st onwards we will be open 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

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Christmas 2023

20% discount for members this Saturday, 25th November, and every day during December until we close for Christmas at 1pm on the 23rd December.

Opening hours 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

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The Workshop and Loft Gallery will be closed on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th of November 2023 to allow essential maintainance work to be carried out. We will be closed on Monday 6th November as usual.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

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The Workshop and Loft Gallery will be closed all day on Saturday 30th September for our annual stock take. We will open again at 10am on Tuesday 3rd October.

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New Exhibition, 2nd to the 29th September 2023.

The Loft Gallery will be open from 10am until 5pm Tuesday to Saturday. Closed Mondays and Sundays.

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The Workshop and Loft Gallery will be closed all day on Thursday 31st August out of respect for a friend and colleague and to allow staff to pay their respects. Thank you for your understanding.

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Audrey Cameron Exhibition "Perception of

Space" July 2023.

The Loft Gallery is very happy to be hosting Audrey Cameron's first solo exhibition called "Perception of Space".

The exhibition will run fromTuesday 4th of July until Friday 28th July.

The Gallery is open Tuesday until Saturday 10am until 5pm.

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Looking Back.

Art Works of a Considered Self.

By Patty Boonstra.

Exhibition from 3rd June to 30th of July.

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Meet The Artist Event, 2-4pm Saturday 20th May 2023.

Visit The Loft Gallery on Saturday 20th May where Giuliana Criscuolo will be hosting a Meet The Atist event from 2-4pm.

Everyone is very welcome, refreshments will be available.

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AGM 25th April at 7PM

The Workshop and Loft Gallery AGM will be on 25th April at 7pm in the Workshop.

Everyone is very welcome to attend.

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Exhibition Calendar for 2023.

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Exhibition of Local Artists

1st -28th April 2023

We are all looking forward to our first exhibition of 2023 in the Loft Gallery. The Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am until 5pm.

Shop Opening February 2023

The Workshop will reopen from Wedensday 1st of February from 10am until 1 pm.

During February opening hours will be 10am until 1pm Tuesday to Saturday, Closed on Mondays and Sundays. From 1st of March we eill be open from 10am until 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Workshop soon.

Christmas Closure 2022

There is still time to choose that last minute gift from the Workshop, so pop in if you still have something to cross off your present list.

The Workshop will close at 5pm on the 23rd of December and open again, mornings only, Tuesday to Saturday, on Wednesday 1 st February.

From all at the Workshop we would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful, healthy and safe 2023.

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Tuesday 13th December 2022

The Workshop will be closed today due to the bad weather. We apoligise for the inconvenience and hope to open as usual tomorrow. Further updates will be posted here and on our Facebook page.

Christmas 2022

We would love to welcome you to our Christmas shop at the Workshop, open from Saturday 19 November to 23 December.

As ever, we have a lovely selection of Christmas gifts including beautiful Fair Trade goods, Jellycat soft toys, Christmas decorations, charity cards and lots of scented and traditional candles.

In addition to our regular range of outstanding Orkney crafts, you’ll find some special gifts from local producers, including Carrie Paxton’s magnificent statement pieces, bracelets and earrings from Alison Moore, charming little tree decorations from Peedie Orkney Animals, Castaway bags, cushions and coasters, a wider range from the Harray Potter, ‘Christmas scented’ Orkney Candles, Susan Walls ceramic hanging decorations, Britt Harcus calendars and more.

On Saturday 19 and 26 November and every day from 1 to 23 December, our seasonal 20% discount will return as a thank you to our loyal members for their support. (It’s given on all your purchases except original artwork, books and charity Christmas cards.)

We are also delighted to have an exhibition of art from Hope School pupils, Peace on Earth, running from Tuesday 22nd November to 17 December. The work won’t be for sale, but there will be a collection for the Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal and the children hope you will give generously to their chosen cause.

We look forward to seeing you in the Workshop and Loft Gallery over the festive period.

PS We will close at 5pm on 23 December and reopen on 1 February 2023

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Exhibition in The Loft Gallery until 26th July 2022

There is still plenty of time to see the wonderful exhibition of Textile Art by Debbie Lee. Debbie's works are a collage of paint, fabric and paper with machine and hand stitching. The Loft Gallery is open from 10am until 5pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Exhibition in the Loft Gallery 21st May until 21st June

In the Loft Gallery this month we have a wonderful exhibition by Weaver and Textile Artist Ruth Holt. The Gallery is open from 10am until 5pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Spring Special Offers at The Workshop.

We have two great Special Offers for Spring 2022 in the Workshop. Cards are 5 for £10. We have had lots of new stock a lovely selection of cards by local artists, Sheena Graham George, Julia, Fisher, Eileen Sclater, Wheeling Steen and many more, so stock up now.

Our second Special Offer is two of our own, hand knitted Workshop Scarves for £80. These luxurious scarves are a blend of merino wool and cashmere which retail at £48 so this is a real saving. A great gift idea or set aside for yourself for next winter.

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New Exhibition in The Loft Gallery.

We are looking forward to the opening of our new exhibition on 16th April and running until 17th May.

We have a wonderful selection of paintings, prints and sculpture by Robinson RR. The Gallery will be open from 10am until 5pm on Tuesday through to Saturday, except on Easter Monday when we will be opening for an extra day. The Workshop will also be open at the above times.

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First Exhibition of 2022

Our exhibition of Jean Malone's work Lace, Silk and Bone is ready to open tomorrow, 12th March, at 10am. Here is just a small taster of her intricate, unique art works.

The exhibition runs until 12th April so come along and see it. Opening times are 10am until 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday. The Workshop is also open during these times.

Covid levels are still very high in Orkney at the moment so please wear a face covering and use the hand sanitiser provided. Social distancing in the shop and Gallery will be in operation.

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New Opening Hours from 1st March 2022

We are delighted to be able to tell you that The Workshop will open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm from 1st March. We have new stock and a lovely SALE section so pop along for a visit and a look around.

Just to remind you that our first exhibition of 2022 will start on 12th March with a show of Jean Malone's embroidered photographs. more details with photos to follow.

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Opening Times from February 2022

The Workshop is now open once again after our holiday break. The shop will be open from 10am until 1pm Tuesday to Saturday during February. In March we will also be open Wednesday to Saturday in the afternoons until 5pm.

Do come along, perhaps to choose a Valentine's gift for that special someone.

The Loft Gallery's first exhibition for 2022 will open on the 12th March with a show of Jean Malone’s Embroidered Photographs.

Provisional Exhibition Calendar for 2022.

Our Twelve Artists for Christmas Exhibition in the Loft Gallery ends this Saturday 18th December, at 5pm, opening hours and full details in the poster below. So you still have this week to come and see it.

Some exciting news is a sneak preview of our provisional Exhibition Calendar for next year.

12 March - 12 April Jean Malone, Embroidered Photographs

16 April - 17 May Robinson RR, Paintings and Assemblages

21 May - 21 June Ruth Holt, Scarves and Wallhangings

25 June - 26 July Debbie Lee, Pictorial Textiles

30 July - 23 August Paolo Doyle, Paintings

27 August - 27 Sept. Iulia Fisher, Felt ‘Paintings’

1 Oct - 1 November Robert Andrews, Recycled Metal Sculptures

TBC. Christmas Group Exhibition

In these strange times not everything goes according to plan so any changes will be posted here and on our website.

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Christmas Shop 2021

Our Christmas Shop is full of wonderful Christmas goodies. You will find lots of beautiful decorations and gifts of all kinds. Choose from our selection of toiletries, soaps, lip balms, hand creams and much more. We have a lovely selection of gifts for children including some gorgeous soft toys.

Of course we have a fabulous selection of knitwear on show. Jumpers, hats, scarves, gloves, ponchos, wrist warmers, headbands and socks together with small craft gifts and jewellery too numerous to mention.

Prints, cards and art works from some of Orkney's talented artists are available in the shop and upstairs in the Loft Gallery’s Twelve Days of Christmas exhibition.

Workshop members get a 20% discount on Saturdays and throughout December, you can become a member at the shop at anytime and enjoy the discount immediately, so come and see us soon, pick up your Christmas gifts and support Orkney’s craft community and World Wide Fair Trade.

Opening Hours and Covid Safety are as in the post below.

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Christmas Exhibition November 16th

to December 18th 2021.

Here at the Workshop we are very much looking forward to the opening of our Christmas Exhibition at The Loft Gallery on Tuesday 16th November.

This exhibition features works from twelve of Orkney's brilliant artists, see picture for details including opening hours. All these artists live locally so this will be the ideal opportunity to pick up that unique Christmas gift and help support our thriving Artist and Craft communities here in the South Islands.

Covid safety procedures will be in place. Masks must be worn, unless exempt, and hand sanitiser used. Please use sanitiser as often as you can while moving between the shop and gallery.

Only two people, or a family bubble, will be allowed in the gallery at any one time so we do apologise if you have to wait a little before viewing the exhibition.

If you would prefer to book a specific time for your visit please call Sue on 01856 831406 to book a time slot.

Stocktaking Closure, September 30th 2021

The Workshop and Loft Gallery will be closed all day on Thursday 30th September for Stocktaking. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

We will open again as usual on Friday 1st October.

Just a reminder that we are closed all day Mondays. Open on Tuesday mornings from 10am to 1pm and open 10am until 5pm Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.

August 28th 2021

We are delighted to be showing the award winning artist Martin Laird in the Loft Gallery from Saturday 28th August to 28th September 2021.

Martin’s brand-new animation art will offer us all something completely different to feast our eyes on and we welcome everyone to come and see it!

Opening times are Tuesday mornings 10am until 1pm. Wednesday to Saturday inclusive, 10am until 5pm.

We will be organising a flexible, 15 minute appointment system for entry to the gallery. To avoid disappointment, email for an appointment to info@workshopandloftgallery.co.uk 24 hours in advance.

Please include the times and dates you are able to visit and the number of people in your party. You will receive a confirmation of your booking by email. Alternatively phone Sue on 831406.

If you would like to take a chance on just turning up, you will be very welcome to view the exhibition if the gallery has not been booked in advance at that time.

Covid safety procedures will be in place. Masks must be worn, unless exempt, and hand sanitiser used. Please use sanitiser as often as you can while moving between the shop and gallery.

Only two people, or a family bubble, will be allowed in the gallery at any one time.

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18th July 2021, Gallery Exhibition.

Here at the Workshop we are looking forward to our first exhibition in the Loft Gallery since the start of the first lockdown.

The exhibition is by Monique Sliedrecht, opening on Saturday 31st July and running until Tues 24th August. Opening times are Tuesday mornings 10am until 1pm. Wednesday to Saturday inclusive, 10am until 5pm.

For more information and photos about Monique and her work view The Loft Gallery page of the website.

We will be organising a flexible, 15 minute appointment system for entry to the gallery. To avoid disappointment, email for an appointment to info@workshopandloftgallery.co.uk 24 hours in advance.

Please include the times and dates you are able to visit and the number of people in your party. You will receive a confirmation of your booking by email. Alternatively phone Sue on 831406.

If you would like to take a chance on just turning up, you will be very welcome to view the exhibition if the gallery has not been booked in advance at that time.

Covid safety procedures will be in place. Masks must be worn, unless exempt, and hand sanitiser used. Please use sanitiser as often as you can while moving between the shop and gallery.

Only two people, or a family bubble, will be allowed in the gallery at any one time.

Later exhibitions at the Loft Gallery for 2021 are:

Martin Laird from Saturday 28th August until Tuesday 28th September.

Clare Gee from Saturday 2nd October until Saturday 2nd November.

Christmas exhibition of invited local artists."

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New Goods Policy

20th June 2021.

The Workshop & Loft Gallery Management Committee are delighted to consider prospective new goods which fit in with our look and ethos, on a sale or return basis.

We would ask you to tell us the recommended RRP and what payment you would require for each article.

The committee will then make a decision on whether we can stock your work and will let you know as soon as possible.

Please understand we cannot give individual feedback on this committee decision.

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Update to the opening hours.

The shop will now be open from 10 till 1 pm on Tuesdays,starting tomorrow 8/6/21 and 10 till 5 pm on Wednesday through to Saturday.

Update to Opening Hours.

With the Weather warming up and the gradual opening up of Orkney we have decided to open all through the day without the 1-2pm break.

Our new hours are 10am to 5pm Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Please rest assured that our cleaning regime will still be as effective as before with the safely of staff and customers our first priority.

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Annual General Meeting 2021.

The Workshop held its first ever virtual Annual General Meeting on 20th April. We are happy to announce that our new elected Office holders and Committee members are as follows:

Chair Sue Graves

Vice Chair Susan Reeves

Treasurer Angela Taylor

Secretary Vacant

Committee

Patty Boonstra

Lynda Bradford

Helen Butcher

Heather Croy

Iulia Fisher

Jenny Rambridge

Ralph Robinson

Jill Strutt

Many thanks to all who attended.

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Easter 2021 Opening and Beyond.

We are happy to be able to tell you that The Workshop will be open over the Easter weekend and from then onward.

Opening hours are:

Sat 3rd April, Monday 5th April, Wednesday the 7th, Thursday the 8th and Friday 9th April we will be open from 10am to 1pm and then again from 2pm until 5pm.

From Saturday 10th April we will be open on Saturdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am until 1pm and open again from 2pm until 5pm.

Masks to be worn please and hand sanitiser will be available. Please follow social distancing guidelines. Great care will be taken to follow government guidelines regarding Covid safety.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support and we hope to see you at The Workshop soon.

26th March 2021

Annual General Meeting to be held online on Tuesday 20th April at 7.00pm

Please give notice of your intention to attend by 16th April, by email to info@workshopandloftgallery.co.uk or by telephone to Sue Graves on 831406. From whom more information can be obtained.

5th March 2021

We are unable to open during March this year but we are hoping and planning towards opening at Easter, the Covid situation and Government regulations permitting.

However if you have any questions or would like to purchase something in the meantime, please contact us by email. You can use the "Contact Us" button to the left of the page. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

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31st of January 2021

Shop opening Hours

We are very sorry but we cannot open at the start of February as planned.We are reviewing the situation and will let you know as soon as possible when we can open, and what other services we might be able to offer.

Thanks to all our customers and supporters in this very difficult time.

26 th October 2020

Everyone here at the Workshop and Loft Gallery hope that all our customers are keeping well. We would like to thank you all for your support since we reopened back in August and also give you some prior information about our Christmas opening plans.

Present opening hours will continue until the 2nd November. On this date the shop will start opening Monday to Saturday 10am until 1pm. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays we will open up again from 2pm until 5pm. The break gives us time for a though clean through.

From Saturday the 21st of November our Christmas shop will open with all our special seasonal stock and gift ideas on display.

There will be a 20% discount for Workshop members on Saturdays from the 21st November and everyday in December. If you are not yet a member now is the time to join, just ask at the counter.

Present guidance about mask wearing, use of hand sanitiser and social distancing will continue throughout the Christmas period and will be updated if government guidance changes.

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24th September 2020

We are very sorry to have to announce the passing of our dear friend and colleague Maureen (Mo) Copper on Monday 21st September.

Out of respect for her invaluable contribution towards the Workshop and Loft Gallery over many years as Treasurer, Committee Member, Shop Worker and Knitter, the Workshop will be closed on the day of her funeral, Monday 28th September.

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24th September 2020

Just to let youknow that the Workshop will be closed all day on Wednesday 30th September for our usual annual stock take. We are sorry if this causes any inconvinience.

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15th September 2020

It was wonderful to open the Workshop again four weeks ago and to welcome people back. We started with mornings only, but now the shop is open three afternoons a week as well. We hope to extend afternoon openings in the near future. There are no plans, though, to reopen the Loft Gallery at present.

To mark reopening we had some multi-buy offers for customers. We’ll continue some of these as they have been popular, but now we would like to tell you about an exciting new offer that will run for the next six weeks to the end of October.

Any customer spending £30.00 or £50.00 in the shop before 31 October will be given a voucher for £3.00 or £5.00. This offer can be used together with member’s discount. Vouchers must be redeemed before 8 November.

Please note that, as usual, discount is not given on books, artwork, sale items or multi-buy offers.

We are planning too for our usual Christmas season in the Workshop and will be in touch in November to tell you about it.

Our opening hours in September are Monday to Saturday from 10.00am to 1.00pm and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 2.00 to 5.00pm. We’ll post any updates here and on our Facebook page.

We look forward to seeing you again soon in the Workshop.

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13th August 2020

We are happy to inform you that The Workshop will be open from Thursday 13th of August and thereafter, 10.00-13.00 o’clock, Monday to Saturday.

We are looking forward to seeing you all!

The following procedures will be in place to protect our staff and customers.

Only 3 customers at one time in the shop unless in an established group eg family. We would prefer it if no more than 4 people in a group would come in at one time.

The Loft Gallery will not be open. All exhibitions for 2020 have been postponed to 2021. The stairs will be cordoned off.

Hand sanitiser provided to be used on entering and leaving the shop.

Face coverings are mandatory and customers without them can buy one in the shop or will be politely asked to leave.

Baskets to be used, and we are asking customers to wait until a basket is available at the door.

We would prefer customers not to handle goods unless they are buying them, and to ask for assistance.

Garments that have been tried on will be quarantined away from the shop floor for 72 hours. Similarly any textile items that have been handled will be set aside. Items with hard surfaces that can be cleaned (such as pottery, jewellery, books) will be cleaned before being put back on display .

Payment by card only please, contactless preferred.

Staff will be cleaning surfaces that customers touch frequently, eg door handle. Staff will be wearing face coverings and will remain behind the counter as far as is practicable

There will be notices reminding customers and staff to maintain physical distance from each other and other guidelines.

If you have any qestions please do not hesitate to use the Contact Us button in the menu to the left.

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5th August 2020

We would like to let everyone know that we are working on opening the shop asap.

Also would like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding.

COVID 19 update:

When we are able to open the following measures will be adopted to safeguard staff and customers.

Only 3 customers at one time in the shop unless in an established group eg family. We would prefer it if no more than 4 people in a group would come in at one time.

The Loft Gallery will not be open. All exhibitions for 2020 have been postponed to 2021. The stairs will be cordoned off.

Hand sanitiser provided to be used on entering and leaving the shop.

Face coverings are mandatory and customers without them can buy one in the shop or will be politely asked to leave.

Baskets to be used, and we are asking customers to wait until a basket is available at the door.

We would prefer customers not to handle goods unless they are buying them, and to ask for assistance.

Payment by card only please, contactless preferred.

Staff will be cleaning surfaces that customers touch frequently, eg door handle. Staff will be wearing face coverings

There will be notices reminding customers and staff to maintain physical distance from each other and other guidelines.

As soon as we have definate date for opening we will post it here and on our Facebook page.

We will have loads of special offers and reductions on a variety of goods to celebrate reopening and to thank our loyal local support.

7th July 2020

To our much appreciated Loft Gallery exhibitors and visitors.

Due to particular circumstances of the lay-out of the Loft Gallery within The Workshop, we are unable to ensure the safety of visitors according to Government guidelines as regards coronavirus restrictions.

It is with great regret that we have had to postpone all scheduled exhibitions for this year. We hope to reopen the Loft Gallery from mid March 2021, in the assumption that a gradual and further easing of restrictions due to Covid-19 will have taken place by then!

We have offered all artists who were scheduled to exhibit this year a similar exhibition opportunity in 2021 and we are very pleased and grateful to all exhibitors for accepting our offer, despite the unfortunate and disappointing cancellation of their exhibitions in this current year. Thank you all!

The full, expected, programme of exhibitions for 2021 will be added to the St Margaret's Hope Workshop and Loft Gallery's website in the near future and we can't wait to welcome you all back to exciting new art work in our small, but beautiful gallery.

In the meantime, we hope you all keep well and safe!

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March 2020

We are very sad to say that the Gallery has been closed and Ruth Holt's wonderfull textile exhibition inspired by the Orkney landscape cannot be visited.

However, her work can be seen on her website and we urge you to have a look!

www.textileweaver.co.uk

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Tuesday 24th March 2020. Following the instructions given by the Scottish Government we are now closed. We will be continuing to monitor and assess the situation and will give further information probably later next week.

We would like to thank all our customers, staff, volunteers, knitters, producers and suppliers for their loyal support and we urge you all to stay safe and healthy.

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The Workshop and Loft gallery will be closed on Monday and Tuesday of this week, 23rd and 24th March 2020, during which time the situation regarding Covid 19 will be assessed and the latest news and advice from the Government reviewed.

Our priority when making any decisions will be the safely of our staff, volunteers and customers.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Further information will be posted here and on our Facebook page as soon as we have it.

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The Workshop will be closed from 3pm to 5pm this Saturday, 7th March 2020, for staff training.

Sorry for any inconvenience this might cause. Please do come along and see us any other day from 10am to 5pm Mondays to Saturday.

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Workshop and Loft Gallery

St Margaret’s Hope

AGM

Monday March 9th 2020

at 7pm

In the Workshop

Front Road St Margaret’s Hope

All Welcome

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Workshop open

The Workshop is now open again, Monday - Saturday from 10.00 to 1.00 throughout February. The Loft Gallery will reopen in March with a new calendar of exhibitions.

Secretary

At present there is a vacancy on the management committee for

the position of secretary, which we are looking to fill.