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

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The South Wales Stickmakers Guild was formed on the 5th April 1986 at a meeting held at the Welsh Folk Museum, St Fagans, and is now in its 26th year. 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. Over the ensuing years, as member numbers have grown, the Country Park has proved to be somewhat restrictive and 2012 sees us moving venue to Troedyrhiw Boys & Girls Club where all activities can take place under one roof and all amenities are to hand.

Our membership is drawn from the whole of Wales as well as the border counties of England, plus a few from even further afield. Membership is open to anyone, with our aim being to promote and foster the craft of stickmaking. Our meetings consist of 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. Meetings are held on Saturday's starting at 10.0am and continue to lunchtime.

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. In 2011 we established a ‘workshop’ facility at Ystradgynlais in the Swansea Valley, with grateful assistance from The Big Lottery Fund. The workshop is open to all members and prospective members from our South, West and Mid Wales communities and is run weekly on Wednesdays from 1330 – 1630 hours from March to November.

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. Contact the Secretary for details.

Directions to venues:-

The Willows Centre, Bridge Street, Troedyrhiw, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 4DX

‘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. At the roundabout follow the A4045 south to Troedyrhiw and turn right at the traffic lights, into Bridge Street, the Willows Centre is first right after the railway bridge.

Ystradgynlais Volunteer Centre, Old Remploy Factory, Wind Road, Glanrhyd, Ystradgynlais, SA9 2JX.

From North and South take A4067 to its junction with A4068 and at the roundabout take the B4599 past the All Black Arms into Wind Street. Turn left at the junction and the Old Remploy Factory is 150 yards on the right, opposite the new Tesco store.

Friendship and a warm welcome await all.