3 Counties Connected worked in partnership to deliver heritage craft classes that explore the potential of creating a heritage themed trail linking Llangollen through to Shrewsbury.
The project worked with local crafts people, targeting the local community, using locally sourced products to connect communities and hear their stories.
Aims & Objectives of Unwind with Wool
Increase confidence in post covid travel by rail, bus, car, foot.
Rekindle an interest in, and connection to, the railway that was once the lifeline of local industries, was a major employer and connected the communities.
Give participants an awareness of the natural resources of Wales and how we can utilise locally sourced materials that otherwise might go to waste.
Encourage people to be more active travelling to events , to positively impact their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
The course explored some of the wool related heritage skills historically associated with Llangollen. Welsh wool from across North Wales was transported on the Barmouth-Llangollen Railway and on to Shrewsbury, for distribution across England or for export.
Post Covid, the wellbeing of trackside communities was a major consideration during the planning of the activities. Every effort was made to accommodate specific needs in terms of accessibility and comfort within the constraints of the location.
Participants were actively engaged and completed a variety of activities from welly warmers to peg weaving with locally sourced fleece.
Outcomes.
Increased Confidence in volunteering, a new volunteer was recruited who helped in a subsequent project.
Increased wellbeing and community interaction were reported , there was a diverse mix of participants some who were in cancer recovery or in the middle of cancer treatments. Some participants were elderly and enjoyed being able to go out and meet people and feel part of something. There were younger participants utilising the sessions as therapy to assist with anxiety, loneliness and confidence building.
Case Study
Lolitta lived locally and wanted to get out of her house more. Participation in the course led to her volunteering for the partnership, and she increased the amount of exercise she achieved each week, reporting walking further and improved feelings of health and wellbeing.
She said, “I thought I should write and thank you for introducing me to the wool felting weekly event at the Heritage Railway in Llangollen. Gill the lady running it made me so welcome and spent time to explain everything as well as providing me with the tools and wool”.