IT'S all change this year as Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair moves to a new location with a new name, which reflects the increased scope of the event.

Hereford Contemporary is moving this year to The Left Bank, its third venue in 23 years - starting life at the town hall where the first fair welcomed around 30 exhibitors and where it stayed for five years before moving to The Courtyard in 1998.

Over the years it has evolved into a high profile show, attracting exhibitors nationwide and becoming a firm date on the county's events calendar for thousands of visitors every autumn.

A combination of visitor feedback and organiser Brightstripe’s aspirations to evolve the show further have been the catalyst for the move to The Left Bank, where the event will have more space to expand the number of exhibitors and allow for the introduction of new elements.

Among those new elements are three New Business Support stands, featuring Hereford artist Verity Howard, Malvern-based Mizuki Takahashi and Gaby Devitt from Gloucester, all three of whom have started their creative businesses within the last two years.

Verity Howard’s sculptural ceramic forms use monoprinting techniques as well as inlaid porcelain on the surfaces of the forms. With a monolithic quality they convey a sense of stillness, with great depth and presence.

Mizuki Takahshi’s beautiful jewellery using paper-thin porcelain, enamelled elements and delicate silver wire, sit like miniature works of art on the wearer. She says her fascination with playing with paper “may come from the profound influence of my home country (Japan)”.

Gaby Devitt’s work is different again, understated colours and simple but sophisticated designs are inspired by the rigid, bold lines of bridges and the distorted reflections in water. She is currently making scarves and lampshades with the fabric she weaves on her eight-shaft table loom in Gloucester.

As well as admiring the work on display, Hereford Contemporary also provides an opportunity to learn some new skills direct from the artists. On offer are a range of high quality creative workshops for adults on Friday, and for children aged 8 to 12 over the weekend. Try your hand at leather work, jewellery making, sewing, bookbinding, batik, ceramics or hand-block printing.

Also on show in the entrance at Left Bank will be some of the Hereford Contemporary exhibitors' generously donated artwork for Postcards from Life, the Charity Art Auction supporting St Michael’s Hospice in raising awareness of the hospice's work. Donated artwork from Hereford Contemporary exhibitors will be on show in the entrance at the Left Bank, whilst more artwork is on show at the Bishop’s Palace, two minutes away up Gwynne Street, just follow the signs.

To bid online for all of the artwork visit www.st-michaels-hospice.org.uk, where bidding starts on October 31 and closes on November 14.

This year, Brightstripe are also pleased to announce a new award for exhibitors this year – ‘The Anna Morgan Award for extraordinary design and craftsmanship’. "Anna was a valuable member of the Brightstripe team who sadly passed away," explains Mel Potter of Brightstripe. "So we felt the need to celebrate her love of artwork and Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair. She was totally enthralled by the whole atmosphere and buzz of this fabulous event, and was an integral part of the team who make it happen each year, totally immersed herself in it. She adored visiting the exhibitors and getting to know them, remembering minute details about them or their families and helping to make sure the event was a success. She took pride in what Herefordshire Contemporary was all about and lived and breathed the event for weeks beforehand. She had an eye for detail and a passion for the extraordinary in all walks of life."

Richard Morgan, Anna’s husband and Lisa, Anna’s sister will make their choice of artist and their work on Friday, November 11, and the winner will receive £100.

“We are humbled at the way in which Brightstripe have honoured Anna with this award and hope we can choose a piece that would do her justice," said Richard Morgan

Hereford Contemporary takes place at Left Bank, Bridge St, Hereford. Open Friday and Saturday, 10am to 5.30pm and Sunday, 10am to 5pm.

For further information visit www.h-craftfair.co.uk