A FEAST of sumptuous and often exquisite crafts awaits visitors to the Dales Countryside Museum at Hawes throughout October, proving that the beautiful countryside inspires an amazing variety of artists.

The exhibition, organised by the Wensleydale and Swaledale Crafts group and which continues until November 2, provides visitors and residents a wonderful opportunity to enjoy Andrea Hunter's incredibly powerful felt art triptych, The Gathering.

Set against this are some bronze animals sculpted by Stef Ottevanger at Reeth, which again are so skilfully evocative of life in the dales, from watchful hares to a happy dog dozing by the fire.

These are separated from the homely, loveable cats of Moorside Design at West Burton by the vivid, extravagant colours of the candles produced at Wensley by White Rose.

The feast is almost too rich, from the exquisite workmanship in the furniture exhibited by Philip Bairstow to the intricate detail hooked and prodded into the small rugs produced at Shades of Heather, which is also based in Reeth.

And it is in Reeth that the tradition of having master clockmakers in the Dales is continued thanks to Ian Whitworth.

Another traditional craft celebrated at this exhibition is that of knitting with Swaledale Woollens displaying some exceptional items. The softest, finest lustre longwool in the world is there, along with knitting patterns, courtesy of the Wensleydale Longwool Sheepshop at Garriston.

Hazel Brow Farm provides a reminder that there is plenty of wholesome, organic food available in the dales, the inheritance of a strong farming community. And this community has, over the years, welcomed those who wanted to share in and add to the quality of life in the Dales.

This has ranged from the gloriously colourful ropes made in the traditional way at the Hawes Ropemakers to the whimsical and eccentric teapots created at Leyburn's Teapottery.

Then there are the warm, earthy beautifully functional pots made by Simon Shaw and Rebecca Dobson at the Wensleydale Pottery in Hawes. These so epitomise the whole ethos of all those involved with this exhibition as they combine high quality with practicality. Pip Land.