Patron:

Mr Roy Noble OBE

Officers

Chairman: Mr Ged Hadley, Rhoose

Hon Secretary: Mr John Poole, Merthyr Tydfil

Hon Treasurer: Mr Malcolm Seaborne, Carmarthen

Hon Show Secretary: Mr Kevin O’Brien, Rhondda

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The South Wales Stickmakers Guild was formed on the 5th April 1986 at a meeting held at the Welsh Folk Museum, St Fagans, near Cardiff. However soon after its formation it was decided to drop the word "Guild" from the title, and we have been known as South Wales Stickmakers ever since. A number of people who attended the inaugural meeting at St Fagans are still active members of our group today.

The group continued meeting at St Fagans, until 1993, when it moved to Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare, which remains the venue for our annual show and craft day. The Country Park has excellent facilities and the refurbishments in 2009 complement the visitor experience.

Our membership is drawn from the whole of Wales as well as the border counties of England, plus a few from even further a field. Membership is open to anyone, with our aim being to promote and foster the craft of stickmaking. Our meetings consist of workshops, demonstrations and presentations, by both members and guest speakers, on both stickmaking and other related crafts. Advice and assistance is always freely available to anyone interested in joining us.

We are privileged to have as the patron of our group Mr Roy Noble OBE the well known radio and television presenter who is a keen supporter of our craft.

Meetings are always held on Saturday's starting at 10.0am and continue into the afternoons after a lunch break. As a consequence of our enforced change of venue in 2009 to the Hills Plymouth Cricket Club, Pentrebach, Merthyr Tydfil it was decided that this venue was better suited to our requirements for demonstration and meeting purposes. The hall is able to accommodate all members in comfort and with easy access to the necessary facilities. If you are interested come along and join a group of friendly and enthusiastic people to learn and participate in an interesting and rewarding pastime.

Directions to venues:-

Hills Plymouth Cricket Club, Duffryn Rd, Pentrebach, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 4BJ

‘All’ routes into Merthyr Tydfil, i.e., A470 from North and South, A465 from East and West, exit on approach roundabouts onto the A4060. Travel 400 metres East from A470 and 3 miles West from Dowlais Top (A465) to Pentrebach. The cricket club is on the main road through the village.

Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare, CF44 7RG

‘All’ routes into Aberdare, ie., A470 from the South, and A465 from East & West, join A4059 at: Abercynon (A470) and Hirwaun (A465), follow to Aberdare and then follow Brown and White Caravan / Camping Signs to the Country Park.

Friendship and a warm welcome await all.