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Cyndi Speer, Carol Pask and J. McCaughan Art Exhibition
Key details
When:
Date:
Time:
9th - 15th Oct
10:00 - 16:00
Where:
The Meadow Room, behind Blackthorpe Barn
Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
SatNav: IP30 9HZ
Pricing:
Free to enter; artworks for sale
Exhibition by Suffolk Artists
This beautiful exhibition brings together the work of three talented Suffolk-based artists, Cyndi Speer, Carol Pask and Mac McCaughan, whose creative practices span painting, ceramics, textiles and metalwork.
Cyndi will be showcasing a selection of her original dreamlike oil paintings, mixed media collages and giclée prints, as well as greetings cards, with each piece reflecting her deep connection to the natural world.
Carol will be presenting her striking sculptural ceramics alongside her Land to Cloth textile range, featuring hand-dyed, hand-knitted and woven wool accessories made from native British sheep breeds.
Mac McCaughan will be exhibiting his beautifully-crafted metalwork that blends traditional blacksmithing techniques with contemporary design, often reflecting natural forms, combining strength and elegance in forged steel.
The whole collection celebrates the richness of creative practice rooted in craftsmanship, storytelling and connection to place, and is a treat not to be missed!
All works will be available for purchase from the artists themselves.
The exhibition will be held in the Meadow Room, behind the sunken garden outside Roots Café.
Important information
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About the artists
Carol Pask
I am a ceramic artist working in stoneware clay, combining traditional methods to create sculptural pieces which are often fused with metal, wood or slate. My work sways from abstract to the more literal, shapes and images are distilled into non-representational interpretations with just the essence remaining in the finished work. No glazes are used, colour and patterns are created through smoke firing where I seek a balance between the controlled structure of the work and the chaos of the firing, bringing unpredictability and individuality to each piece.
My Land to Cloth textiles only use pure wool from native British breeds of sheep, mainly Bluefaced Leicester and Shetland. Much of the wool is hand dyed in my Suffolk studio using colours inspired by the countryside and coast before being hand knitted or woven into scarves and hats.
W: carolpask.com
E: carol.pask@gmail.com
IG: @carol.pask
Cyndi Speer
I grew up in the beautiful county of Suffolk and am a full time professional artist. I work from my lovely studio, located at the bottom of my garden where I have the great pleasure to be surrounded by my two dogs, trees and birdsong. This wonderful environment allows me to become totally absorbed in my painting, and is undoubtedly an influence upon my work.
Although my work is mainly in oils, I feel liberated in the sense that I can experiment with many different materials, including the use of metallic leaf or spray paint. As an artist, I am continually imagining new works whose hues and patterns are nature inspired but depicted in my own subconscious way. Besides being drawn to our local landscape of Suffolk, my eyes are continuously open to wherever I may be, ever conscious of colour, contour and movement.
I have exhibited widely throughout Suffolk in various galleries and exhibition venues, and have gone on to sell locally, nationally and internationally.
W: cyndispeer.co.uk
E: cyndi@cyndispeer.co.uk
IG: @CyndiSpeer
John “Mac” McCaughan
Rooted in a make-do-and-mend upbringing, I approach metalwork with a strong belief in both function and form. My work ranges from practical tools to one-off decorative pieces, each handcrafted with care, precision and a respect for traditional techniques. I take pride in collaborating with customers to create bespoke items reflecting their individual needs. For me, metalwork is not just about shaping steel, it’s about problem-solving, storytelling and creating something built to last.
W: jwmac.co.uk
E: mac@jwmac.co.uk
IG: @j.w.h.mccaughan
Where to Find Us
Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham,
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
SatNav: IP30 9HZ
There is plenty of free parking available.
Accessible parking is available near the entrance to the Café/Shop area.
Please Note: The car park closes when the Roots Café closes and the entrance gates are locked after this time.
Blackthorpe Barn is situated just south of Junction 45 of the A14, three miles east of Bury St Edmunds, in the village of Rougham.
Look out for the entrance gates to a long tree-lined avenue at the White House junction, with the Barn on the right of the avenue.
Blackthorpe Barn’s black and white signs direct visitors from local roads.
The Meadow Room can be found behind the old thatched Barn and behind Roots Café.
What3Words for the Meadow Room: hands.dunk.drums
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Applications are now open for Rougham Estate Arts and Crafts 2026, held in Blackthorpe Barn near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
We are looking for art and craft of the highest standard, especially contemporary design. You must design and make all the work yourself and be available to be at your stall all weekend.
The event is held over 5 weekends from 14th November to 13th December.
We love to welcome new makers to the medieval thatched Barn, as well as seeing old friends again from around the country.
The first tranche of stalls will be allocated by the selection committee, usually in March.
From textiles to glasswork, ceramics, woodwork, jewellery, metalwork, art, sculpture and more, submit an application to join the talented craftspeople this coming Christmas.
Please share this post with makers who would be interested in joining us. All the information can be found from our website.
We look forward to hearing from you!
#artsandcraft #artisanmarket #handmade #craftsmanship #britishcraft artsandcraftsmovement artisanmade eastanglianartists
One of the things people often notice at Rougham is our network of hedges, stretching for nearly 30 miles.
While many hedgerows were removed by estates and farms in the 1960s and 70s, Rougham Estate largely resisted this, which is why our landscape still feels so rich and enclosed today. We also continue to plant new hedges across the estate and along field boundaries.
Caring for our hedges is essential work. They need regular management, carefully timed to avoid the bird nesting season.
Over the coming months, you may notice one or two hedges looking quite different. This is because they are being coppiced, a traditional practice where a hedge is cut back close to the ground.
It can look dramatic at first, but coppicing helps us carry out vital ditch clearance work and, in the longer term, actually benefits the hedge. Strong regrowth creates a thicker base, providing better shelter and habitats for wildlife. All work is carried out in winter, ready for healthy growth in spring.
Three years on, the hedge will be fuller, stronger and healthier than before as you can see in these pictures.
So if you notice our hedges seemingly disappear for a short time, they will be back bigger and better than before!
#roughamestate #hedgerows #coppicing #landmanagement
We are looking for a Cafe Supervisor to join our team at Roots Cafe.
Roots Café is all about great coffee, delicious homemade food, and genuine hospitality so this is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate.
You will be working closely with the Cafe Manager to help lead the cafe team.
More information can be found from roughamestate.com/welcome - link in profile.
#RoughamEstate #BlackthorpeBarn #cafevibes #recruitment #vacancy #CafeSupervisor
Have a heart warming start to the day with this weeks vegan brunch special of Coconut porridge with spiced poached pears, black cherries and pistachios.
It’ll give you the energy and warmth needed to beat the January blues.
#brunchspecial #roughamestate #rootscafe #veganuary
The winter months see the popular return of sheep to the farm here at Rougham Estate. A mix of breeding ewes and last year’s lambs, they play such an important role in our move towards more regenerative farming across the Estate.
They are here to feed off the cover crops we planted back in August.
We direct-drilled a diverse cover crop mixture (basically a mixture of superfood plants for the soil) into the previous crop’s stubble. The focus was on the sandier, lighter soil at the northern end of the Estate which is prone to nutrient loss and erosion.
The crops include fodder radish, forage rape and vetch which now provide a valuable winter soil cover, helping to protect these lighter soils from any erosion and also create a natural food source for the flock.
Each plant brings its own valuable benefits to the soil structure and biological activity in soil profile. Fodder radish, for example, sends a deep taproot down into the soil, improving structure and helping to break up compaction while encouraging biological activity below the surface. As the sheep graze, they also return valuable nutrients and organic matter back into the soil, supporting healthier land for future crops.
It’s a simple but powerful way of working with nature, keeping the land healthy and productive for years to come.
#roughamestate #regenerativefarming #sheepfarming #covercrops #soilhealth sustainablefarming britishfarming farmingwithnature
If you love the calm and charm of the Rougham Estate, why not bring a little of it home?
Our Lifestyle Shop @roughamestateshop is full of carefully chosen items that ignite the senses from scented candles, diffusers and soaps for smell, soft blankets and lighting for touch, warmth and sight. And for a true taste of Rougham, pop into our Pantry Shop, where local honey, jams, chutneys, biscuits, wine, beer and other treats let you enjoy the flavours of the Estate at home.
Together, they’re the perfect way to make your winter cosy, welcoming and unmistakably Rougham.
#RoughamEstate #LifestyleShop #BlackthorpeBarn #treat
From the start of February, you’ll see scaffolding and hoarding going up around Blackthorpe Barn as we begin one of the most important projects we’ll be undertaking this year – a full rethatching of the roof.
Around 12 highly skilled thatchers will be on site for around 40 days, carefully renewing the roof of a building that has stood at the heart of Rougham Estate for more than 500 years. The barn was originally built in the 16th century and is over 30 metres long and and was used for the threshing and storage of grain. Over time has become much more than an agricultural building. Today it’s the setting for arts & craft fairs, art exhibitions, weddings and seasonal events. It is the true symbol of the estate.
Looking after its roof using traditional thatching methods isn’t just routine maintenance, it’s a way of respecting its history and making sure it can be enjoyed for generations to come.
When we charge for exhibitions and events in the barn, it’s these funds that go back into maintenance of the building. That includes major projects like this rethatching, as well as ongoing care and upkeep so Blackthorpe Barn continues to be a welcoming place for events our visitors can enjoy.
Rethatching is a traditional craft and fascinating to watch unfold. It’s a big job, an essential one, and something we’re really proud to be investing in as part of Blackthorpe Barn’s long story.
#RoughamEstate #BlackthorpeBarn #HistoricBuildings #Thatching #TraditionalCraft Heritage CommunityEvents SustainableRestoration ArtsAndCulture HistoryMatters
We are excited to announce a new event here at Rougham Estate.
** UPDATE - EXTRA DATE ADDED: 21st Feb - tickets available from 8pm on 15th January
On Friday 20th February 2026, we’re hosting a Reset Retreat, a one-day retreat designed to help you slow down, reset and reconnect. Set in the Suffolk countryside, the day runs from 9.45am to 3pm and brings together gentle movement, time outdoors and deep relaxation.
The experience includes a guided mindful walk, a balanced yoga class with @thecreatespacecollective , sauna and cold plunge sessions with @the_roaming_sauna_ , a soothing sound bath, and plenty of space to pause and breathe. The day finishes with a late, light lunch, thoughtfully prepared to nourish and restore.
There are limited spaces available to keep the experience calm and personal. So book fast.
You can find out more and book online at https://roughamestate.com/events/the-reset-retreat/
#reset #retreat #roughamestate #BlackthorpeBarn #wellness
Tag us @RoughamEstate
