Wonderwool Wales 2025, the premier wool and natural fibre festival in Wales, is on course to be a record-breaker with advance ticket sales ahead of previous years.
 
The popular, award-winning show will be held at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells on April 26 and 27 with 220 exhibitors and is expecting more than 6,000 visitors.
 
A star attraction will be special installation to mark this year’s 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day, which is being created by a group of knitters in France and across the world.
 
The knitters are so enthusiastic that the installation, which will be in Hall 3, is going to be much bigger than originally envisaged.
 
“It has grown from eight to 10 metres and could well be even larger by the time of the show!” said Chrissie Menzies, Wonderwool Wales director. “People from around the world are knitting panels for the installation which is quite amazing.
 
They previously knitted an 80 metre, 3D wool art depiction of the D-Day landings, which toured the UK, before going off to America, and wanted to do another one for VE Day to showcase at Wonderwool Wales before it tours the UK, with panels being added at each destination.”
 
The VE Day project has been organised by Tansy Forster and her fellow knitters who also headed The Longest Yarn installation for D-Day. More than 1,000 knitters from across the world contributed to that project.
 
Wonderwool Wales will have a truly international flavour, as Kimberly Perkins from Cat Mountain Fibre Arts, Colorado, will be showcasing her hand dyed, multi-textured, yarn bundles and knitting and crochet patterns on stand M1 in Hall 1. She’s the first exhibitor to fly in from America.
 
Chrissie revealed that there will be more than 15 new exhibitors at the show, including Paint-Box Threads from near Leominster and Cold Harbour Mill from Devon.
 
Zoe Acketts, of Paint-Box Threads, specialises in beautiful, hand-dyed threads along with fabric for the textile crafting market.
 
“I’m sure we will all be coming away with some of Zoe’s threads,” said Chrissie. “Her curated boxes of colours are just too good to use, you just want to display them in your studio and look at them!”
 
Cold Harbour Mill will be joining other working mill exhibitors who use heritage machinery to produce yarn collections and woven textiles.
 
The company’s yarns are 100% British wool, with single breed Blue Faced Leicester and Shetland collections in a range of natural and woodland inspired colours and four registered Tartans designed and woven at the mill.
 
Away from the show, Newtown Textile Museum is opening early to attract people visiting Wonderwool. Run entirely by volunteers and housed in two weavers’ cottages, the museum will be open from April 24-28 from 12 noon to 4pm.
 
The British Coloured Sheep Breeders’ Association will be adding natural colours to the show by bringing sheep for the first time. Sheep Walk fashion shows, demonstrations and have-a-go sessions hosted by some of the exhibitors are regular features.
 
Limited places are available for some of the Woolschool Workshops - visit www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk for details. Book advance tickets for the event on website also.
 
Wonderwool Wales covers everything from the start to the end of the creative process. Exhibits of sheep, raw and hand dyed fibres, yarn for knitting and crochet, embellishments, equipment, dyes and books can be found alongside superb examples of finished textile art, craft, clothing and home furnishings.
 
For the latest news about the show, like Wonderwool Wales Ltd on Facebook or follow on Instagram @wonderwoolwales .

Newtown Textile Museum is opening earlier than usual this year to combine with Wonderwool Wales, the wool and natural fibre festival, at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells on April 26-27.
 
The museum, which will be open from April 24-28 from 12 noon to 4pm, is hoping that people attending the popular weekend event, which attracts more than 6,000 annually, will combine a visit to Newtown also.
 
The main museum season is from May 1 until September 20 and admission is free.
A new exhibition features the work of a pioneer local photographer, John Owen, an innovator who photographed the great and the good of Montgomeryshire in the mid-19th century.
 
In May, the museum will be hosting talented textile artist, Barbara Cole, a local weaver and teacher. She will be teaching the rigid heddle loom weaving method to small groups in the atmospheric loom floor.
 
Participants will have an opportunity to make either a scarf or hanging. Bookable through Eventbrite, the workshops will be held on May 8,15 and 22 from 1pm to 4pm. As spaces are limited, people are encouraged to book early.
 
Check the museum’s website www.newtowntextilemuseum.co.uk , Facebook or Instagram pages for future events.
 
Run totally by dedicated volunteers, the museum is keen to recruit new members to the team to keep the history of Newtown and its textile industry alive.
 
The museum has a fantastic shop with all sorts of hand-made textile treasures made by local artisans, which are available to purchase.

“The leaflets will also encourage those who wish to spend a day in the hills to branch out, off the beaten track, to enjoy some of the hidden gems in the valley.”
 
Severe weather events, specifically Storm Darragh, caused significant disruption for the Elan Valley Estate, with numerous fallen trees obstructing trails.
 
Welsh Water Elan Valley rangers have undertaken extensive work to clear these obstructions, ensuring the accessibility of these challenging walks.
 
Elan Valley is now pleased to offer these routes to experienced walkers seeking to explore the more remote and scenic regions of the valley.
 
The leaflets are available to purchase at Elan Valley Visitor Centre for £8.95 or can be downloaded at: https://elan-valley.co.uk/walking-routes/ . The price includes the eight routes, an introduction to the walks and a convenient pocket-sized packet to keep them safe.
 
The walks generally take a full day and should only be attempted by experienced walkers with the necessary skills using a map, compass or GPS. The routes generally cover isolated areas, with no mobile signal and can be exposed in inclement weather, so preparation is a must.
 
The new pack completes a trio of leaflets available at the visitor centre. Family Friendly Walks include 12 ,waymarked routes of varying difficulty and are among the most popular walks around the estate. Waymarked Cycle Routes range from the Nantgwyllt Flow Trails to Ceidwad Coch, the red mountain biking route.
 
Elan Valley has also announced a selection of Easter activities for families and visitors. The Easter Scavenger Trail, which takes place until Sunday, April 28, invite participants to explore Cnwch Woods and complete a scavenging quest for a prize.
 
The trail follows the Blue Route Walk, is wheelchair and pushchair accessible and is expected to take approximately 40 minutes. Participation is £3 per child.
 
The Epic Elan Easter Expedition, running until Sunday, April 27, offers an Easter egg hunt experience. Participants follow directions on an expedition sheet, track down hidden Easter eggs using clues and claim a prize upon completion. The cost is £2.50 per child.
 
Dam Open Days will offer visitors the opportunity to venture into Pen y Garreg Dam and ascend the central tower, with rangers present to answer questions.
 
These self-guided tours provide an insight into the dam’s engineering and offer panoramic views from the central platform. The cost is £5 per adult and £1 per child under 18, with half of the proceeds donated to WaterAid.
 
This tours is available on Tuesday, April  22 at 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm and 3pm. Advance booking is recommended, either at the visitor centre or online. https://elan-valley.co.uk/events/dam-open-days/

Graham Taylor, Geoff Bilby and Alan Austin from Powys Ramblers with the new Elan Valley Hill Walking Pack.
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Looking for the perfect spot to star bathe on the edge of an International Dark Sky Park in beautiful Mid Wales?
 
Then look no further than Lôn Lodges - https://www.lonlodges.co.uk/ - located in secluded spots on Lôn Farm, Nantmel, near Rhayader.
 
Comprising two luxury lodges and a glamping lodge, each with a private hot tub, the accommodation is perfect for romantic getaways, family adventures, group retreats or wellness experiences, offering the ultimate blend of comfort and connection to nature.
 
Amongst its many attributes Lôn Lodges offers guests fantastic night time stargazing, being located close to the Elan Valley Estate, which became the first privately owned but publicly accessible park to achieve International Dark Sky Park status in 2015.
 
The estate was granted silver-tier status by the Arizona-based International Dark Sky Association, meaning that the entire 45,000 acres of the Elan Valley are protected against light pollution for the benefit of those who live, work and visit the spectacularly beautiful area.
 
Whilst staying at Lôn Lodges, which comprise two luxury lodges and a Stellar Safari Lodge – guests discover the dark sky magic, immersing themselves in wonderful views of the Milky Way, planets and shooting stars on clear nights.
 
Kerena and Stephen Pugh, who run the lodges with their family, alongside a busy sheep farm, have spared no expense with the luxury accommodation, with each lodge sleeping up to six people and offering peace and privacy.
 
Their latest addition to the Stellar Safari Lodge is a private sauna and exhilarating cold shower experience. “The wood fired sauna and cold shower experience are proving very popular and certainly fits well into our little magical retreat,” said Kerena.
 
Whether you’re looking for peace and tranquillity or the thrill of outdoor activities, the Rhayader area, known as the “Outdoors Capital of Wales,” has something for everyone. Enjoy endless hiking trails, family-friendly walks, cycling routes, pony trekking, fishing, golfing to name but a few outdoor activities.

The breathtaking Elan Valley, home to waterfalls, lakes, reservoirs and educational centres, is also on the doorstep while Rhayader offers a variety of shops, including the famous Hafod Hardware store, cosy cafés and welcoming pubs.
 
Lôn Lodges is a Visit Wales Quality Assured Glamping destination and a regular visitor is Dafydd Wyn Morgan, of Cambrian Mountains fame, who has set up his own night photography and videography business, Serydda - https://www.serydda.co.uk .
 
Having had his stargazing photography published by national magazines and television channels, Dafydd specialises in presenting “the night sky in harmony with the landscapes of the natural world”.
 
Based in Tregaron, he was instrumental in establishing the Cambrian Mountains Astro Trail in 2019 and Lôn Lodges was one of the first tourism accommodations he photographed at night.
 
The lodges recently hosted friends and family of late Alyn Wallace from across the UK and Europe as they attended the unveiling of an art installation in his name above Craig Goch Reservoir in the Elan Valley. Alyn died unexpectedly on March 28 last year and was one of the world's best astro-photographers.
 
As part of his work as an astro-tourism specialist, Dafydd has completed an astro-tourism package for Lôn Lodges to provide eye-catching content for a social media campaign this year.
 
“Stellar Safari Lodge is well placed to benefit from astro-tourism, being in a super-dark location with views of the Milky Way, the winter family of constellations and even the Aurora Borealis,” said Dafydd.
 
“Kerena and Stephen provide a great pair of binoculars for viewing the night sky. I recommend sitting in the hot tub for stargazing followed by marshmallows over the fire and under the constellations. Lôn Lodges now has a superb gallery of images highlighting how great a place it is at night. As I often say, night is the best time of day!”
 
Events are being held  at Elan Valley Visitor Centre on June 29 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Elan Valley achieving International Dark Sky Park status.
 
Visiting night photographers can complete the Alyn Wallace Big 5, an astro-adventure to places that Alyn himself experienced, by booking with Serydda.
 
Lôn Lodges is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent membership organisation representing more than 600 tourism and hospitality business across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Snowdonia).

The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways was judged the ‘Best Attraction’ at the recent National Tourism Awards for Wales.
 
The highly anticipated awards, hosted by Visit Wales, celebrated the best of the tourism industry throughout the country.
 
The railways qualified for the national awards after winning the ‘Go Attraction of the Year’ award at the Regional Go North Wales Tourism Awards last November.
 
Paul Lewin, the railways’ general manager and Stephen Greig, the railways’ visitor experience manager, were delighted to pick up the prestigious national award.
 
“Receiving this award is a huge honour and is testament to the hard work of all our staff and volunteers,” said Paul. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work.”
 
Stephen added: “This is a fantastic achievement and we are very proud that we can display both our ‘Go Attraction of the Year’ and ‘Best Attraction’ awards at our stations for our visitors to see.
 
“Now, the challenge is to build on these achievements during the upcoming season, continuing to provide our passengers with an unforgettable experience. There’s no time for complacency.”
 
The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways have now turned their attention to the start of a new season. Their first passenger trains set off on March  29, hoping for a busy season ahead.

Visitors and residents are being reminded to stay at least 100 metres away from marine wildlife, including dolphins, seals and birds, along Cardigan Bay.
 
The North and West Wales Marine Code in Cardigan Bay advises people to stay at least the length of a football pitch away from any wildlife on the water, cliffs or shore.
 
Now is an important time for nesting seabirds and disturbance can cause their eggs or chicks to get knocked off the cliffs into the sea.
 
Melanie Heath, Marine Protected Area officer for Cardigan Bay, said: “If you encounter any sick or injured wildlife, such as a seal or dolphin stranded on the shore, do not attempt to intervene.
 
“Do not try to put the animal back in the water yourself. They have stranded for a reason, because they are unwell or injured and require urgent professional medical assessment. Keep your distance and keep other people, dogs and gulls away from the stranded wildlife.”
 
Councillor Clive Davies, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member, added: “It’s important to follow the marine code and stay at least 100 metres away. We are proud to work in partnership with many agencies to protect our wildlife along the coastline and inland.”
 
To report stranded wildlife, call the RSPCA on 03001 234999 for live strandings and the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Team 08006 520333 for dead strandings. To report a disturbance, visit www.cardiganbaysac.org.uk/disturbance/ .
 
The North and West Wales Marine Code in Cardigan Bay has been developed by the Wales Group of European Marine Site Officers.
 
Cardigan Bay is valued for both its special wildlife and for the opportunities it provides for recreational activities on, in and under the water.
 
Previous impact on protected species and habitats have included motorboats, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards getting too close to marine mammals, water users travelling through rafts of resting seabirds and getting too close to their cliff nesting sites and people seeking selfies with seals and their pups that have hauled themselves onto the rocks to rest.

A new exhibition celebrating contemporary Welsh art will open at the Riverside Gallery, Haverfordwest on April 12.
 
The CYFOES: Celf Cymru Heddiw · Contemporary Welsh Art exhibition will showcase a selection of new artworks, all created within the past decade, from the Art Collection at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.
 
The exhibition, which includes oils, sculptures and mixed media works, will feature works by both young and established artists. Most of works are by female artists. 
 
The exhibition will offer a glimpse of the vibrant world of contemporary art in Wales, dealing with modern influences and topics such as the Covid-19 pandemic and identity.
 
It will also represent the changing face of art in Wales today as bold new ideas and fresh perspectives on Welsh culture are conveyed through the works on display.
 
Exhibition highlights include Dannedd Dodi by Anya Paintsil, Y Fari Lwyd by Dr Adéọlá Dewis, Blodeuwedd by Natalia Dias and Moelni Maith by Lisa Eurgain Taylor. 
 
Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, national library chief executive, said: “The library is home to over 60,000 works of art, and it is essential that we share as many as possible with the public.
 
“Our gallery at the Riverside Library enables us to share them with audiences beyond our site in Aberystwyth. The contemporary works in this exhibition are an opportunity for us to show how we continue to collect to ensure that the collection reflects contemporary Wales.”
 
Mari Elin Jones, the national library’s interpretation officer, said: “We are glad of this opportunity to share a special selection of works of art by some of Wales' leading contemporary artists and extremely proud to be able to share so many works by female artists.
 
“The aim of the exhibition is to celebrate the richness of contemporary art in Wales and its continued vitality in interpreting the world today.”
 
Events will be held to coincide with the exhibition, details of which will be published on www.llyfrgell.cymru over the coming weeks. 

Showing alongside CYFOES is the permanent exhibition Pembrokeshire: Past and Present, focusing on the history, culture and landscape of Pembrokeshire. Both exhibitions will run until Saturday, October 11.

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Schedules for the 2025 Royal Welsh Show are now available to view on the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s website - https://rwas.wales .

Exhibitors can now access comprehensive information about the various classes and competitions that will feature at this year's prestigious event, allowing ample time for preparation.

Entries for the equine section will open on Tuesday, April 16 at 10am, with livestock entries following a week later on Tuesday, April 23 at 10am. Entries for both sections will close on Tuesday, May 28.

The Royal Welsh Show, widely regarded as one of Europe's premier agricultural events, continues its tradition of showcasing the very best of Welsh farming, rural crafts and countryside pursuits.
 
The internationally acclaimed show attracts thousands of competitors and visitors from across the UK and beyond.

"We're thrilled to launch our 2025 schedules and open entries for another spectacular Royal Welsh Show," said a spokesperson for the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.
 
"The quality of competition at the Royal Welsh is consistently outstanding and we look forward to welcoming competitors back to the showground this summer. With entries closing on May 28, we encourage all potential exhibitors to review the schedules and submit their entries in good time."

Early registration is advised, as many classes prove extremely popular and may reach capacity quickly.

The schedules can be accessed via the Royal Welsh Show section of the society's website.

The Cynnal y Cardi event fund is opening for the second year running for businesses and communities in Ceredigion, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The Grant Fund is now open for applications and will close on Thursday 01 May, 2025. 

Tourism is an economic sector of vital importance to Ceredigion, representing the third largest employer in the county and we are keen to build on this sector and attract new visitors to the area.

The focus of Cynnal y Cardi’s events fund will be on:

• Attracting visitors to the county. Applications must demonstrate how the event will have a county wide benefit, as well as possible wider regional and national benefits.
• Development and promotion of local year-round events and experiences which encourage people to visit and explore the local area. Applications must demonstrate how the event will make a difference to individuals, communities and the local economy.
• Support for local arts, cultural heritage and creative activities.
• Support the growth of linked businesses (indirect business benefits) and development of higher value job creation.
• Support ambitions around climate change or the transition to a green economy through sustainability and waste reduction.

Councillor Clive Davies, Ceredigion's Cabinet Member responsible for Economy and Regeneration, said: “This funding is an opportunity to build upon the events that have already taken place in the county such as Other Voices Cardigan 2024 and events that continue to return to the county such as Rali Ceredigion. Businesses, volunteers and organisations in Ceredigion should take the opportunity and consider how they could grow and develop an ambitious, relevant and appropriate event to be held within the county in the coming years.”

There are two funding packages on offer:

• Small events grant (minimum of £2,000 – maximum £10,000)
• Large events grant (minimum of £30,000)

All activity and project expenditure must be completed by 31 January 2026.

The grant will provide financial support towards revenue expenditure and some small-scale capital expenditure. The grant will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Applying is a competitive process and innovation, outcomes and impact and value for money will be a key factor when projects are appraised.

As to ensure project eligibility read the guidance notes carefully before starting on the application form.
The UKSPF 2025-2026 is a central pillar of the UK government’s ambitious agenda and a significant component of its support for places across the UK.

​More information on how you can submit an application can be found here: www.ceredigion.gov.uk/business/funding-and-grants/cynnal-y-cardi-events-programme-fund/
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Newtown is gearing up for an exciting transformation and the townspeople are invited to be part of the launch of a new brand for the town on Thursday this week.
 
The Newtown Brand Launch Exhibition will be held at Bear Lanes Shopping Centre on April 10, from 11am to 3pm.
 
This exciting event will provide a first look at a new identity that will help shape the future of Newtown. Visitors will have the chance to explore exhibits, engage in creative activities and discover how this brand can be used by those who want to influence Newtown’s development moving forward.
 
Highlights of the exhibition will include the story of the brand, creative activities for children, fun photo opportunities, branded giveaways and new displays throughout the town.
 
The exhibition will continue at Bear Lanes on the following days from April 11-16, excluding Sunday, April 13, from 11am to 3pm. 
 
The brand launch will be followed by a wider campaign celebrating Newtown’s rich history and exciting future.
 
‘A New Newtown’ is a bold new brand that reflects the town’s rich history, industrious spirit and forward-looking ambition.
 
The new branding embodies everything that makes Newtown special: its heritage of innovation, its stunning location in the Severn Valley and the hardworking people who drive its future.
 
Townspeople are being encouraged to explore the new look and to join the council in shaping the next chapter for Newtown.