Gŵyl Ceiau Teifi / Cardigan Quays Festival.
Gŵyl Ceiau Teifi / Cardigan Quays Festival has been held for several years on the banks of the river Teifi in Cardigan on August bank holiday Saturday. This year the organisers wanted to make a special effort to provide a space for local makers. One of the organisers, Nick Newland of www.swallowboats.com said “We would like to celebrate this talent by providing a place where makers can meet and demonstrate to our community and to visitors what a great place Cardigan is for creative careers, and incidentally, where makers can exchange ideas and discuss mutual problems.”
I was very pleased to have a stand at Gŵyl Ceiau Teifi / Cardigan Quays Festival with my woodwork and I took a little lathe to discuss what turning entails.
There was such a range of different makers there. As I couldn’t leave my stand for long I didn’t see and speak to everyone. But I can try to give a feel of the variety and wealth of skills around. Next to me were other woodworkers, one making beautiful rustic furniture and carved bowls and boxes. On the other side were a couple of friends who carved spoons, bowls, boxes and did forestry and tree surgery work. Jonathon Jones, four times Formula One powerboating world champion, (0-60 in under 2 seconds!) had brought in one of the boats his company www.dragonf1.com has designed and constructed. He also brought some beautiful driftwood standard lamps he’d made. There were also restored horse-drawn carriages, an author of books for teenagers, carefully crafted models, model cars (that were drivable!), hand-made harps by Telynau Teifi www.welsh-harps.com. And if one was peckish home-made pasta. And so many more…
Joe Finch www.potteryandpaintings.co.uk was there with his potter’s wheel which of course the kids loved. And his wife Trudy’s beautiful paintings graced one wall. Susie of www.susiesheepskinboots.co.uk had her spinning wheel as well as a selection of her lovely boots which have been keeping my feet warm for decades! I understand there was a basket weaver somewhere outside. I could occasionally hear the blacksmith’s hammer outside and his wife made beautiful handbags. Another stand that was there was cariad glass, stained glass makers who as well as making and repairing stained glass also offer courses. www.cariadglass.co.uk
Judging from the people who spoke to me Gŵyl Ceiau Teifi / Cardigan Quays Festival was a wonderful showcase for both locals and holiday visitors to see how many creative people live round here with such a wide range of skills.
Contacts.