About us
Sugarcraft North is a trading name of the England North area of the British Sugarcraft Guild (formerly BSG - Region 2).
As the England North area, we represent local BSG branches and Individual BSG members in our area. We organise sugarcraft events around the north of England, promoting them under the Sugarcraft North banner, and welcome anyone who is enthusiastic about cake decorating and sugarcraft to join us. Please note that BSG membership is not necessary to take part in and enjoy any of our promoted sugarcraft events.
We have an area team who manage our activities, made up of a group of volunteer members led by Pat Smith, our area coordinator, who also represents the England North area at the BSG national committee.
We arrange two area meetings per year – in spring and autumn – where BSG members: branch and individuals, are invited along to discuss, determine, and vote on our activities and wider BSG policy. Details and invitations are posted in our regular newsletter, on our website, and on social media.
Our area team members share a long and wide-ranging background in cake decorating and sugarcraft, and bring together vast experience and knowledge, having served in numerous committee positions at local branch, regional/area, and national levels of the Guild, for a great number of years.
Local Branches
The England North area shown on the map includes a number of local BSG
branches that hold regular monthly meetings. You can join as a BSG member
at any branch, or are welcome to go along as a visitor.
The programme at each branch varies and will include invited demonstrators,
have a go sessions, workshops, and other activities. Admission fees are
chargeable and vary between locations and the respective activity on the day.
If you are interested in cake decorating and sugarcraft, go along to your local branch, meet new friends, and enjoy the shared love of our craft.
Skills School
Established in 2006, our annual Skills School Weekend has become a regular fixture on the Sugarcraft North calendar.
A popular residential retreat; we have hosted a wide range of sugarcraft tutors and topics over the years, and our students have benefited from the opportunity to learn useful cake decorating skills in a friendly, welcoming and social atmosphere, accompanied by wonderful food and great company.
Exhibitions and Shows
We have organised numerous exhibitions in the north of England over many years, as BSG Region 2, and under the Sugarcraft North banner.
In the 1990’s we held a number of shows at York Racecourse.
In 2002 we moved to the brilliant 'Pavilions of Harrogate' venue where we returned time and again to hold hugely successful exhibitions in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2013.
Sadly, our planned 2015 show had to be cancelled when a national media company scheduled a one-off caking
and baking show during the same month
in the centre of Harrogate.
We were delighted to return with a
brand-new show in April 2024 at York.
Demonstration Days
We have arranged several popular demonstration days – some have incorporated competitions too!
Enjoy these photos, and look out for details of our next exciting Day of Demonstrations coming soon…
Workshops
We arranged a wonderful workshop day at Pannal, Harrogate, when we got together to work on our tier for the restored Queen's Wedding Cake.
More recently, we hosted a special Charity Workshop in memory of Nadene Hurst ‘Queen of Royal Icing’ which raised an incredible £580 for the nominated charity.
Our events are open to anyone who is interested in sugarcraft and cake decorating - come along to our next one!
Online Demonstrations
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we arranged monthly Zoom meetings with invited guest demonstrators to provide entertainment.
These online sessions proved to be invaluable for so many people, particularly during the various lockdowns and social restrictions when we couldn't meet in person.
Newsletter
We circulate a quarterly newsletter by email to BSG members on our mailing list, and to our sugarcraft friends around the north of England.
If you would like to receive a copy of the next edition, subscribe here!
click the newsletter image, or scan the
QR code, and we’ll do the rest!
