The Blaenavon Town Traders Association (BTTA) is launching the first Summer of Workshops for this year’s Summer Holiday period. They have booked some 35 workshops to give visitors to the town the chance to learn new skills and to have access to a wide range of different activities for everyone.

Workshops include drawing classes, guitar lessons, tiara making, various make do and mend sessions, starting a business, jewellery making, chocolate making and pewter casting, to name a selection.

Business Owners, Stephanie Nummelin and Claire Wood who run Browning Books and Form Contemporary Craft in the Town, have spent the last few months booking artists, designer makers, and musicians who are happy to run their own sessions. “We are in the middle of some tough economic times at the moment,” says Claire, “and we have seen so much interest in make do and mend, and learning new skills that we decided we ought to start making these sessions available to a new audience using the contacts that we have through our own businesses.”

Stephanie adds, “We have a beautifully regenerated high street with stunning scenery surrounding us and with a sun-filled summer holiday period, workshops such as these will bring new faces to the town. Blaenavon town centre is the perfect setting for these workshops and it gives the traders  here the opportunity to promote the quality of independent shops that exist locally, rather than having to go to further a field..”

Some of the names booked include: Becky Adams, Mandy Nash, Susie Bright, Caroline Deacon, Tracey Rees and Stuart Pinch.

The full itinerary for the workshops can be found online at www.btta.co.uk, via 01495 790 089 or you can pop into Browning Books or Form Contemporary Craft on Broad Street. Bookings have started for workshops and it is recommended that you book early to avoid disappointment.