The Woodhouse Craft Centre – Oxted.

I was delighted to cross the County with Suzanne to visit Oxted in Tandridge for the Open Morning at the Woodhouse Craft Centre.

We hugely enjoyed seeing a thriving local community hub bustling with people and activities including upholstery, cane-chair repairing, weaving, spinning, various needlework skills, crafts and more. With delicious cakes and other refreshments we were also nourished by the wonderful people we met and their clear enjoyment in each other’s company. When we ventured outside we also discovered a large ‘Men in Sheds’ project, where a number of men (mostly called Dave?!) were beavering away in very well appointed workshops creating wonderful pieces either for sale in the Woodhouse Craft Centre or that had been specially commissioned. 

The history dates back to 1971 when the Woodhouse Craft Centre was founded by Mrs Betty Woodhouse. It was established to provide employment in friendly surroundings for elderly and disabled persons resident in Oxted and surrounding areas. From small beginnings in an old school, the Centre is now housed in a large new air-conditioned building opposite Tandridge Leisure Pool and next to the Red Cross.

Run today by Manager Liz Martin-Lawrence and Assistant Manager, Sarah Spires with strong Trustee Support it was a pleasure to spend time at the Woodhouse Centre and see the extraordinary ability the creative arts has to bring people together, relieve stress or loneliness and generally uplift the soul.