Gary and Jane started their business in the early 1990's creating a range of furniture and accessories.  The pieces would then be decorated with paint and decoupage techniques.  When the Craft Centre became available, they decided to keep the name Manor Stables as it had established a good reputation over the last fifteen years.  They also wanted to continue promoting hand crafted work made by predominantly Lincolnshire artists and crafts people, but they also spend time sourcing new talent at shows like the British Craft Trade Fair.  
Visiting the centre is a very pleasant experience, for the simple benefits of free parking, a wonderful tea room (excellent latte) and a treasure trove of over forty bodies of work created by independent British designers.  Also on site are a number of crafts people creating their work and demonstrating techniques.  A workshop space is also available to hire out to other artists.
Manor Stables can be found in the pretty village of Fulbeck, between Grantham and Lincoln on the A607 and is open from Tuesday to Sunday (including Bank Holidays) from 10.30am to 4.30pm.  For more details go to:

    

At an "Art on the Map" meeting in 2005 I met a lady who was creating a gallery in the middle of her wildlife nature garden.  She particularly wanted to support local artists in her venture and was interested in housing our ceramics.  She told me her professional name was Anne Wood.  I smiled and told her that was quite ironic.  I then explained about the other Ann Woods who set up Manor Stables and had a similar approach and dedication to promoting local art and craft work. 
Anne started the Wild at Heart gallery in the summer of 2005 with a local core of fifteen artists. Now there are over fifty designers being displayed in four gallery rooms and throughout the five acres of delightful wildlife garden. Each month in the Garden Gallery there is a changing exhibition featuring the work of a solo artist or group.  Zoo Ceramics has been invited to exhibit in September.  Anne and her husband Stuart have created a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere to enjoy the art work in their home and garden.   

Art and nature also come together in Anne's personal work, when she creates her atmospheric paintings in oils and acrylic.  The designs are emotionally charged with colour and energy that almost dances across the canvas.
Wild at Heart provides a lovely afternoons escape and is open from 1pm to 5pm from Friday to Sunday and also Bank Holiday Mondays.  It can be found in the village of Broxholme just off the A57, just outside Lincoln.  An extra bonus is the free admission and parking, excellent freshly ground coffee and home-made cakes.

NEW TUESDAY EVENING CLASS
STARTING ON 2nd SEPTEMBER 2008
More details to follow shortly

There are spaces available for the Wednesday afternoon classes, but the Wednesday evening is now full.   You are welcome to put yourself on to a waiting list for the next available space.

By Tracy Wright 23rd February 2008
Updated 23rd June 2008