Local gems on sale at craft event

SOME of Bridgend county’s most creative people will be showcasing their talents at a craft event in Tondu later this month.

Glass engravers, jewellers and card makers will be among those selling their products, giving demonstrations, and also offering advice to other like-minded people who are interested in setting up a craft business.

Organised by Bridgend County Borough Council’s Reach rural development team, the event will take place on Thursday, February 23 between 10am and 4pm in the Wesley Church Centre on Maesteg Road, Tondu.

Councillor Charles Smith, the council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, said: “If you love crafts then this is the perfect event for you. There will be lots of locally handmade products on sale, and plenty of workshops to take part in too.

“This event is also part of a wider project which aims to develop the skilled crafts sector in rural parts of the county borough.”

The free event will feature a talk about setting up craft businesses, while another guest speaker will talk about the benefits of crafting for people living with dementia.

A wide variety of crafts will be represented at the event including glass engraving, making wedding jewellery, willow weaving, felting, traditional Welsh baskets, card making, model boat making, historical shoe making, embroidery, candle making, ceramics and jewellery making.

The crafts project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

If you are a crafter or a member of a crafting group that would like to get involved with the event, contact the Reach team on 01656 815080 or email reach@bridgend. gov.uk