A NEW exhibitor will be making its debut at next weekend’s Bovey Tracey Craft Festival.

Representatives of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) will be explaining their work and looking for talented makers in the South West to apply for scholarship funding

The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) was founded in 1990, and offers scholarships of up to £18,000 to talented and aspiring craftspeople looking to further their training and education. Not intended for someone who is just starting their journey, it supports experienced craft makers who want to increase their skillset and knowledge.

The funding, raised through private sponsorship, trusts and corporate foundations can be used for traditional college courses, vocational training, apprenticeships, or one-to-one training with a master craftsperson.

Without its help, many of the country’s cultural heritage and skills in traditional and contemporary crafts would disappear.

By exhibiting at the festival QEST hopes to raise its profile amongst the talented makers in the region and encourage further applications for funding. The charity has previously awarded scholarships to Devon craftspeople including braidmaker Jacqui Carey, signwriter Amy Goodwin, blacksmith Bex Simon, ceramicist Rebecca Harvey, tapestry weaver Hannah Waldron, upholsterer Thea Sanders and silversmith Wayne Meeten.

Deborah Pocock, QEST chief executive, said: ‘We’re really excited to be featuring at Craft Festival Bovey Tracey this summer as part of our commitment to reaching talented makers across all of the UK. The South West is bursting with fabulous craftspeople and we look forward to meeting many of them and increasing awareness of QEST in the area.’

Since it was founded in 1990, QEST has awarded £5.2million to more than 625 individuals working across the UK in 130 different craft disciplines – from guitar making to print making; basket weaving to enamelling.

QEST was founded by the Royal Warrant Holders Association to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the association and the 90th birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. In 2017 HRH The Prince of Wales became their patron.

Deborah said: ‘One of the things I love is anyone of any age from 18 upwards can apply. We’re supporting more than 130 different crafts.

‘It’s a way of passing on skills and training up the next generation of craft makers.

She’s thrilled to be showcasing the work of Qest at the craft festival, which runs from June 17-19.

‘The best way to publicise our work is to have boots on the ground,’ she said. ‘We want to make sure we reach all four corners of the UK. Bovey Tracey provides a fantastic platform to raise our profile, increase awareness and get more people to apply.’

The next round of applications is open July 11 to August 15. For more details visit: www.qest.org.uk.