Regular craft fairs to continue in Bridgend County Borough

Great news for local crafters! Recently formed craft hub, Bridgend Craft Collective, will be holding regular craft fairs at Bryngarw Visitor Centre on the first Saturday of each month, starting on Saturday 2 March (11am – 4pm).

After two successful craft fairs at Bryngarw Visitor Centre at the end of 2018, the events are set to continue throughout this year with even more local craft businesses now involved.

These events are organised by Bridgend County Borough Council’s Reach Rural Development team, which is supported through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, and funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government. The project aims to encourage sales across a wide range of hand-crafted items, from craft baking, handmade vegan hair products, and sea glass jewellery to ceramics and handmade musical instruments; the events are set to be a roaring success.

There will also be craft demonstrations every hour from 11am, as well as plenty to keep children entertained. Refreshments will also be available to purchase from the on-site café.

These events arrive after five craft hubs were recently set up across Bridgend County Borough as part of a £61,000 new initiative which aims to generate jobs and create opportunities where people can socialise, share their skills and improve their abilities.

Following their recent success, two brand new hubs have also been added in Lewistown and Kenfig Hill, for residents of Llys Ton Extra Care Unit. There are also hubs based at premises in Aberkenfig, Pontycymmer, Ogmore Vale, Newton and North Cornelly.

Our craft hubs are open to everyone, whether you have previous crafting experience or not. The important part is the opportunity to socialise and have a chat, whilst doing something you enjoy.

Members are able to bring their own project along to work on, or join in with whatever is taking place on the day. Tea and coffee are always to hand so we would encourage anybody who has an interest in crafts to come along to one of our hubs and join in with the fun!

Project Manager, Alison Westwood

The craft collective also hope to provide more opportunities for crafters throughout the summer, with a proposed craft trail around Bridgend County Borough where the public can see crafters in action and view many handmade art and crafts.

To find out more about the Bridgend Craft Collective, upcoming events and how to get involved, please visit www.craftbridgend.org.uk, or search for ‘Bridgend Craft Collective’ on Facebook and ‘@BridgendCraft’ on Twitter.