ONE of the biggest gatherings of traditional West Country craftsmen and women demonstrating their skills will take place this year on Mother's Day at Morwellham Quay, outside Tavistock.

It promises to be an ideal day out for all the family, from grandparents to children, with numerous craft stalls and demonstrations throughout the day from blacksmiths, lace makers, potters, ropemakers, and weavers to name just a few.

There will be opportunities for children and adults alike to 'have a go' and try their hand at some of the crafts.

TV celebrity Dr Alex Langlands, an archaeologist and historian best known from the BBC series of programmes about the Victorian/Edwardian Farm and Channel 4's 'Time Team', is the special guest for the day and will be giving demonstrations and signing books throughout the day. 

Alex is on the board of the Heritage Crafts Committee.

He said: 'Traditional crafts represent an important part of both rural and urban heritage and a familiarity with the raw materials around us and their uses helps us today to live sustainable, low impact lifestyles.  

'We must endeavour not only to conserve these skills but also to find relevance for them in the modern day.'

The aim of the fair is to promote traditional crafts and crafts people in the West Country.

The setting of Morwellham Quay, a historic village, port and copper mine on the banks of the river Tamar, transports visitors back to a time when there were many craftsmen and women producing beautiful handmade items. 

The village school teacher will continue to hold lessons for young and old alike during the craft fair whilst the 'bal maidens' will help would-be miners break open the ore to find the glistening copper and 'fool's gold' within.

A Victorian miner's daily ordeal is vividly brought to life on a train ride underground through the George and Charlotte mine and the day can end with the youngsters letting off steam and having fun in the children's playground.

The Mother's Day event on March 30 is the first of a season of varied events taking place in 2014 at Morwellham.

Future events will include International Children's Day on June 1 with a Punch and Judy Show, a classic car rally for Father's Day, a literary festival and book fair in August, and food and beer festivals promoting local produce later in the year.