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The Snow Men are Coming – Brougham Hall

If you have ever fancied turning your hand to clay, or wanted to be part of an art installation…well now is your chance.

Event Date

05 December 2025

This event occurs daily from
23 Oct 2025 to 24 Dec 2025

Description

Fundraising is never an easy job, and fundraising that incorporates an element of fun is what the directors of Brougham Hall have achieved with ‘Blizzard’.

Back in October they launched ‘Blizzard’: an opportunity for people to support Brougham Hall and release their inner ceramic artist at the same time, and what an amazing success it has been. Everybody who has taken part has loved making their snowmen, there have even been snowman making parties! Makers have been of all ages, from infants to great grandparents, and people have commented on the memories they have made being involved. Now the Snowmen are on display and every day snowman makers return to spot theirs within the installation.

The Old Brewery, soon to be a Cheesemakers, has been transformed into a Winter Wonderland. Currently there are 174 snowmen on display with another 20 making their way through the firing process and the rest yet to be returned, so the blizzard is set to grow!

Sara Last, one of the directors, said: ‘The enthusiasm people have shown for the project has been just brilliant, and the Snowmen that have been made are just so creative and each one is completely individual. We have received Snowcats, Snow Pirates and even a Snow Dalek.’ The project which involves makers having to transport their delicate precious Snowmen back to Brougham Hall for firing hasn’t been without its fair share of breakages. ‘We have been running a Snowman hospital for the last few weeks; we have been re-attaching hats, scarves and noses on a daily basis. The beauty of being able to fix them pre-firing is that once fired they are once again whole and in one piece’

Once the exhibition finishes at the end of December each snowman will be collected by their maker for them to keep forever.

The ‘Blizzard’ is open for viewing every day, 10am to 4pm, and if you fancy an extra festive visit then why not visit on the evening of the Annual Brougham Hall ‘Carols around the Tree’ event on Monday 15th December from 5pm. Why not go along see the snowmen, sing some carols and do some late-night shopping from the Artisans on site. Mulled wine, Apple Punch and mince pies will also be on offer, with all funds from the sales going towards the upkeep and maintenance of the hall.

’Blizzard’ has been a resounding success with 209 snowmen kits being sold to date, raising in excess of £2,700. Kits (which are still available) contained everything you needed to make your pottery Snowman with all profits going towards the upkeep and maintenance of the Hall, in this case specifically the roof.

‘The great thing about ‘Blizzard’ said Ms Last ‘Is that we are introducing a new craft to many people and building a new community of budding artists and hopefully supporters of what we are trying to achieve here at Brougham Hall’.

It has been a year since Brougham Hall became an artists-led Community Interest Company, and when you take on a property such as Brougham Hall it doesn’t come without substantial ongoing costs. The Artists involved in running the CIC have been tireless in the endeavour to raise funds, make changes and improvements to the site and have great plans for 2026.