An Aberdare craftsman is busy finalising his handcrafted designs ahead of this year’s Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival which will take place next month across the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend (May 28-29th).
When John Jones retired four years ago, he decided not to put his feet up and relax but to indulge his true passion for woodworking and establish Penuel Wood Craft based at his home, the converted Penuel Chapel in Cwmbach.
John now spends seven days a week in his workshop designing and crafting his bespoke products, all made from reclaimed hardwoods and offcuts.
“My real love has always been working with wood; designing furniture and accessories and as a teenager, my original plan was to study furniture design and manufacturing. A summer job took me into a career in surveying and it’s only taken the 53 years for me to finally be able to do this full time!” said John.
“I’d always carried it on as a hobby but once I retired I realised this was something I could now actually devote my time to – and I think my wife was also more than happy for me to take myself off to my workshop!
“I work from a small space underneath the chapel that we converted ourselves fifty years ago and it’s a very traditional set up. Alongside some of my newer equipment, I’m still working with tools that are over a hundred years old.
“I spend a lot of time researching new trends and listening to customer feedback which is where shows such as the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival prove such a great platform.
“I don’t have an online shop – I love being able to showcase my designs and get a real feel for what is popular and what people would like to see on my stall.
“At the moment, my elephant iphone holders are proving a real hit and I’m getting a lot of requests from people wanting to bring more of the ‘old school’ games into their homes – bar skittles, ring and hoops, shove ha’penny – as well as my main staples which include bespoke coffee tables and plant stands, candle holders and kitchen classics.”
Every single product is handmade solely by John, a task not made easier by his struggles with both arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome but his dedication has seen him adapt his methods in order to allow him to make up to 40 pieces in a week.
“It really does depend on the item – the smaller items obviously take less time but then I could work on a coffee table for several weeks so it’s a case of balancing it all out.
“I have to crack on now as I know there will be a real demand at Cowbridge which is fantastic and hopefully, I’ll also pick up some commissions. That said, it’s definitely not what it’s all about for me – I simply love working with wood and hearing what people think about my designs, especially when we receive the appreciative comments.
“It can be hard work of course but also very relaxing and I find my time in the workshop a real benefit to my own mental health.
“I’ll be based at the Old Hall Gardens at the festival – a lovely spot and a great mix of sellers, artists and craftspeople, alongside the main festival site with all its foodie favourites. Please come along and see us!”
With something to suit all diets, ages and interests – moreish meats, vegan varieties, curries, cheeses, chutneys; scrumptious ciders, great gins, sweet treats and so much more, the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival promises to be a real highlight in this year’s calendar.
Tickets are available online in advance or on the day at the festival’s Arthur John Car Park site.
To book online, please visit: ticketsource.co.uk/cowbridgefoodanddrinkfestival
For festival information, see: cowbridgefoodanddrink.org
