AN EASTCOTT Community Organisation event showcasing original arts and crafts from across Swindon has been described as brilliant by organisers.

The Made In Swindon afternoon was held at Savernake Street Social Hall on Sunday as part of a wider programme of events to bring local people together.

Group chairman Caroline Davies-Khan said: “It was a really busy, fun, community afternoon.

“We had a great combination of items on sale from work by local artists to home grown honey, jewellery, upcycled furniture and knitted items.

“We also had a pre-loved section where people could sell used items they had no use for anymore.

“Over the course of the afternoon we saw several hundred people.

“The really good thing was that so many people were able to sit down, chat, and get to know each other.”

The Eastcott Community Organisation was formed in 2013, the majority of the members of the group are local residents.

Last year they took over the running of the Savernake Street Social Hall from Swindon Borough Council and since then they have put together a packed programme of events.

Caroline added: “We feel that having a community centre where we can organise and put on events is a really positive step.

“We have put on everything from yoga sessions and tai-chi to taekwondo.”

After the success of the first ‘Made in Swindon’ afternoon, organisers are confident it will not be the last.

Although no date has been set, the idea of making it a quarterly event has been floated.

Explaining why she thought it was so important, Caroline said: “It’s just such a nice way to showcase the range of arts and crafts being created in this area.”

On Saturday the group will host a ‘freecycle’ event from 12-2pm where local people are encouraged to bring their unwanted items and take others’ away – all free of charge.