Narberth’s Over 50s can try their hand at a range of craft workshops in celebration of women’s history at Narberth Museum this May.

It’s all part of a Wales-wide arts festival for older people run by the national charity, Age Cymru.

The Gwanwyn arts festival for Over 50s is now in its 12th year and the workshops at Narberth Museum are one of 50 events taking place across Wales during May.

Says Emma Baines, of Narberth Museum: “Each of our free Wednesday morning workshops will celebrate the lives and experiences of rural Welsh women through traditional crafts. The various techniques will be used to create ‘patches’ that will eventually form part of a community quilt reflecting both memories of the past and the legacy of men and women who created it.”

“The first workshop on May 2 will be Cyanotypes (sun printing) with Linda Norris using female-centred artefacts from the museum collection. This will be followed by fabric painting/printing on May 9. Carolyn Young will be running a stitching workshop recalling ‘memories of your grandmother’ on May 16, while Sian Lester will be exploring natural dyeing on May 23. The final workshop on May 30 will be ‘The Big Stitch’ to sew together all of the patches and create the quilt.

“Each of the workshops will begin at 10 am and booking is essential as the spaces are limited. Call (01834) 860500 or email [email protected] for further details.”

The annual Gwanwyn arts festival for Over 50s champions the health benefits of arts for older people.

It gives grants to groups across Wales to hold events during May where older people can take part in arts and creative activities.

“Trying your hand at something new and creative can have a long-lasting and positive effect,” says Gwanwyn arts festival coordinator Emma Robinson.

“It can put the spark back into your life, re-awaken your enthusiasm and help you find a creative side of yourself you never knew existed.

“Whether it’s painting, crochet, photography, dancing, singing or learning to play a musical instrument, being creative can help you switch off from life’s stresses and strains and give you some valuable ‘me-time’.

“The events being held by Narberth Museum are a great opportunity for Over 50s in Pembrokeshire to have a go at a variety of traditional crafts and I hope they are inspired by their experiences.”

Age Cymru set Gwanwyn up in 2006 with the support of the Welsh Government and Arts Council of Wales.