As part of a Powys-based project to promote wool and natural fibres, a Wool Emporium opened at The Thomas Shop, Penybont over the Bank Holiday weekend 25th – 28th May 2007.  More details are available from www.woolemporium.co.uk.

Situated in a complex of listed buildings which include a restored Victorian Village Shop, the Wool Emporium will be a permanent showcase for woollen and natural fibre products from Wales and the Marches.

Supported by seed-funding from Glasu, the LEADER+ rural development programme for Powys, the project is a good fit with the ethos of The Thomas Shop, owned and run by Liz and Derek Turner and her family in a way which keeps alive traditional skills and celebrates the social history of the site, which formerly housed a tailor’s, grocers, haberdashers, gents outfitters, cobblers and steam laundry, tea warehouse and seed merchant.

“We plan to develop three separate threads – a gallery and showcase for wool and natural fibre products, a resource centre and a series of training workshops and taster days,” said Liz.

“ There will be exhibition space for up to a dozen producers and craftsmen, with a retail area and a showcase space featuring one item or maker on a monthly basis. The resource centre will include books, magazines, videos and DVDs, internet access and some museum and historic pieces, and there will be a series of workshops, all fibre and wool related, covering topics such as felting, spinning, weaving and knitting, plus taster days and longer courses, to meet demand. “

Supervising the Emporium alongside Liz will be weaver/spinner Shirley Elwell, the hope is to engage the help of volunteers and eventually to form a co-operative consortium of producers and makers to ensure the sustainability of the project.

Lee Price, from Glasu, said the financial help being provided for the Emporium was part of a programme to promote Welsh wool and natural fibres. This includes a Wonderwool Wales showcase at the Royal Welsh 2007 Smallholder and Garden Festival  on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells.  

More details are available from www.woolemporium.co.uk. Or contact us 01597 851418 There is limited parking on site but  Wool Emporium at The Thomas Shop is on the main Hereford/Llandrindod Wells bus route and only one mile from Penybont Station on the Heart of Wales Line.