Our Beginning

Over dinner one evening Kate and Hattie Risdale were discussing the problems and possibilities of direct to buyer selling. This was one of the challenges for Kate and Hattie's businesses as they were actively on the lookout for opportunities to meet and introduce her work to prospective clients. This in turn led to the realisation that the business ideas both had been developing privately were heading in the same direction. Being practical and taking into account the particular strengths and assets each other had, they decided that two heads were definitely better than one. After much planning and hard work, Kate and Hattie have joined together to create a partnership primarily bringing artists, designers and makers in direct contact with the buying public. Hence the birth of English Divine and the many exciting possibilities their partnership will bring.

The official launch of this venture will be the English Divine Christmas Fair, a collection of unique top quality makers selling their own, handmade work and food products. This will be held in December on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th at the Lifford hall, Broadway, Worcestershire, the quintessential English village nestled at the base of the beautiful Cotswold Hills. Three days starting with an invite only private view with canapés (made by Tim Risdales brother Alex, who runs his own very successful catering business based in London) and bubbly. Followed by ‘open doors’ for the Friday late night Christmas shoppers of Broadway. The Saturday and Sunday will open from 10 until 6 and 10 until 5, respectively. This fair offers the perfect opportunity to shop for original and importantly British made or designed gifts helping to create and celebrate a traditional Christmas. Kate and Hattie are confident this will be but the beginning of a great new enterprise, bringing not only these seasonal events to the Cotswolds, three or four times a year, but adding party and wedding planning, wedding lists, marquees and venues to their range.