The long wait is over - WKCIL received the Barony Centre keys on Friday morning and now has full access to the building.  We are planning a series of 'Friday Previews' throughout February for local people, traders and organisations who have all supported and encouraged us throughout the development process. 

We still have to complete the office, retail and cafe area set-up and begin the training and familiarisation process for staff and volunteers.  However, we envisage the fully functioning Barony Centre to be open to the public by the end of March with a formal launch in May.

In the meantime, enquiries are already coming in and we have had a craft workshop and a private party take place in the building even although we are not officially open!

Mairi Carlton has been a long-term supporter of craft town Scotland and has displayed and sold her lovely jewellery in the WK Initiative Centre.  Mairi has watched the Barony Centre develop and was desperate to ‘get in there’ with one of her classes.  

Mairi has been running off-loom bead weaving workshops for many years, having started off teaching a two-hour workshop in West Kilbride.  As people became more skilled, they began to ask for longer classes.  Mairi introduced full day workshops which grew in popularity, with numbers bolstered as a result of many requests for bead weaving talks and demonstrations from groups like the Embroiderers Guild.

Mairi’s classes are attended by between 9 and 16 crafters but Mairi has 24/30 crafters on her list.  We are delighted to say that Mairi will be running her bead weaving classes throughout the year.  Please see our website’s event calendar for dates, and then contact Mairi direct for further details: mecarlton@tiscali.co.uk

Another long-term supporter of Craft Town Scotland who couldn't wait to take advantage of the 'just completed' Barony Centre was Christine Miller.  West Kilbride's Senior Librarian and village resident, Christine actually did put off a significant birthday celebration for two weeks so it could be held in the Barony this weekend. 

Whilst the main function of the Barony Centre is that of an exhibition and education venue, it is a flexible space which can accommodate small to medium conferences, parties and events in between exhibitions and classes. 

Thanks to Christine, her family and friends for ‘christening’ the Barony Centre, with some style, as a party venue!

Check out the Craft Town Scotland facebook page for photographs of both events.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.290947034298882.69482.175584952501758&type=3

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.271635162896736.65729.175584952501758&type=3

Please contact info@crafttownscotland.org for further information on the Barony Centre and Craft Town Scotland