Enjoy a unique chance to watch ancient crafts being handmade today by Dorset button-maker Rosalind Atkins and woodturner Liz Kent at Lyme Bay Arts’ The Space on Thursday 16 April during the Symondsbury Spring Fair. From 11am-1pm, Rosalind Atkins, an experienced teacher of button-making, will be demonstrating how to make simple cross-wheel buttons. From the mid-17th century, Dorset buttons were hand produced locally and formed an important part of the rural economy for 200 years until the development of machine-made buttons in the mid-19th century. From 2-4pm, Liz Kent will be using her own woodturning lathe to transform a branch of ash or oak straight from the tree into functional and novelty items. Fascinated by the grain and figuring revealed when wood is turned and drawing inspiration from patterns in nature, Liz uses mainly native British hardwoods to produce contemporary hand turned bowls and vases, adding colour and texture as the piece develops.