SHIVER my timbers! A 12-feet high Sea Witch has washed up at Kingshill House in Dursley and hopes to cast a magical, artistic spell over all who admire her!

The nautical sculpture has all manner of aquatic life sewn into her skirts and was created by Bristol charity Milestones Trust which supports people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and dementia in the South West. It was made for their Expressions art event in April.

When staff at Kingshill House heard she needed a new home, they were only too pleased to push the boat out and offer to display the imposing Sea Witch in the foyer of the art centre.

The sculpture incorporates weaving, spinning and embroidery made by a textile group supported by Milestones Trust.

A spokesman said: “These were all new skills we learnt as part of our creative journey. We were also exploring the human form and scale in this piece.

“We have used a wide variety of materials in the weaving, including plastic bags which are a statement about the pollution in the oceans, as well as a very effective and cheap weaving medium.”

Kingshill House is holding a craft fair in aid of Milestones Trust on Sunday 14 September from 10am until 4.30pm.

Arts administrator Gilly Ballard said: “The Sea Witch is a dramatic piece and I think she will be a real talking point. We have the size and height in our foyer needed to display her and hope to raise funds for Milestones Trust in the process. As an arts centre it’s great to be able to showcase work such as this.”

The fund-raising craft fair is part of a weekend of charity attractions at Kingshill House.

Top comedy entertainer David St John is hosting a Sixties Show on Friday 12 September. It will be a special themed show with headlines, jokes, trivia and classic hits from the sixties.

It promises to be an interactive show appealing to all ages – even those who were born too late! However, the show does contain some adult humour so is not suitable for children.

Tickets cost £15 and include a cold buffet. The event, which will be held in a heated marquee in the grounds of Kingshill House, starts at 7.30pm.

The fund-raising weekend continues with a three-day long art and craft exhibition taking place from Friday 12 September until Sunday 14 September when the walls and fireplaces in the historic art centre will be filled with work from local artists. All proceeds from the art exhibition, which runs each day from 10am until 4.30pm, will go to charity CLIC Sargent for children with cancer.

On Sunday 14 September there will be the craft fair in aid of Milestones Trust and also cream teas served in association with Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

It’s free entry to the art and craft exhibition, craft fair and coffee morning and there will even be a bouncy castle in the grounds of Kingshill House to keep younger visitors entertained.

For more information contact Kingshill House on 01453 549133 or email admin@kingshillhouse.org.uk