News
2011
September
Jackie Morris Book Launch - “The Cat and the Fiddle - A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes”
Jackie has in her library a well thumbed book of nursery rhymes from her own childhood which is still as well loved today as it was the day she unwrapped it many moons ago. She has captured with her amazing illustrations the magical beauty of many familiar as well as lesser known rhymes which can be enjoyed by everyone young or old.
We’re delighted to be able to offer you the chance of joining us at the mill to meet Jackie and have the opportunity to purchase one of these fabulous books before they go on general release later this year.
All are welcome to join us on Friday 16th September 2011 from 5 – 7.30pm when Jackie will be at Solva Woollen Mill meeting people and signing any of her books purchased.
An opportunity to own an original piece of art by Jackie Morris.
To celebrate the book launch Jackie has once again kindly donated a unique drawing to be raffled during the evening.
It is the original sketch for “Pussy cat Pussy cat where have you been” that Jackie drew before deciding on the illustration which is in the book.
Raffle Tickets will be given, 1 ticket per book purchased, and a prize draw held towards the end of the evening for one lucky person to have the opportunity to own an original piece of art by Jackie.
For those unable to attend this event signed books can be purchased from our online shop.
Any books bought between now and the day of the event tickets with the individuals’ details will be entered into the draw.
If you need any further details please contact us.
Look forward to seeing you all on the night,
Tom & Anna
T: 01437 721112
E:launch@solvawoollenmill.co.uk
April
25th April
So one week after the shop being opened and much to the relief of those tired cyclists dying for a cuppa and other regulars who have missed the lovely homemade cakes, our new 'Dye Shed' tearoom is also open. This part of the mill has not previously been open to the public, so it's been really exciting renovating the area and bringing it back to life. We've reinstalled the flannel press on the plinths above the fireplace and put back one of the last remaining dye pots we still have that Mr Griffiths would have used for dyeing the wool. Diane Evans kindly lent us books about plant dyeing from which our super talented friend Sara Crisp has painted a display of local plants and the colours they would have produced to dye the wool. It's such a relief to have the tearoom open and all looking fabulous - again thank you to everyone who has helped make all this possible.
18th April
Finally after 21/2 years of planning, organising, digging, concreting, building, painting oh and continuing to weave; our beautiful new shop has opened. We've completly transformed the original mill building from 1907 into a lovely open light space which we're really proud of and hope all those visiting will enjoy. We've been lucky enough to have a host of good friends and family who during this time have been truly supportive and generous. Either providing hands on building work, many a welcome supper, constant encouragement when it seemed we'd never get it finished and towards the frantic end late night take aways, weekends of hard slog, picnics galore and the construction of many a box or two. To these people we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks without you all this would have been a far harder project to tackle and not nearly as enjoyable... thank you all xx.
2010
November
Jackie Morris Book Launch
The Ice Bear is Jackie’s latest enchanting, magical book.
Set in the pristine polar arctic regions back in a time when people and animals lived together in harmony, a bear-child is stolen away from his mother. A hunter and his wife find the child and, wrapping him in sealskin, they sing him songs of the ice, the wind and the great white bears. One day the child wanders off and a bear comes to take him back to his mother. But by now the hunter is on the trail, determined to kill the creature that has taken his child!
Tom and I are proud and excited to be able to host our second book launch for Jackie’s latest book.
All are welcome to join us on Saturday 27th November 2010 from 5pm onwards when Jackie will be at Solva Woollen Mill meeting people and happily signing any of her books purchased.
Own an original piece of art by Jackie Morris.
To celebrate the launch Jackie has created a unique Ice Bear drawing.
Raffle Tickets will be given, 1 ticket per book purchased, and a prize draw held towards the end of the evening for one lucky person to have the opportunity to own an original piece of art by Jackie.
For those unable to attend this event signed books can be purchased from our online shop.
Any books bought between now and the day of the event tickets with the individuals’ details will be entered into the draw.
If you need any further details please contact us.
Look forward to seeing you all on the night,
Tom & Anna
T:01437 721112
E:launch@solvawoollenmill.co.uk
April – Restoration
We had hoped to open the tearoom for Easter, not looking likely with only a few days to go!
March – Restoration (the big dig)
The final clearing takes place before we remove the old concrete floor ready to lay a nice new dry one.
February - Restoration
The tearoom has been closed so that we can remove the kitchen.
January - Restoration
Work is progressing with the project to restore the old mill buildings.
Now that the snow and ice has finally cleared we have been to get back to the many jobs that need to be done before we can move the shop into the original mill building.
2009
October - Book Launch
We are pleased to have been asked to host an exclusive book launch of Jackie Morris & James Mayhews' fabulous new book 'Starlight Sailor'. Come along on Friday 30th October, 6.00-8.30 pm, meet Jackie who will be signing first editions of Starlight Sailor along with her other popular titles.
September - After a year of hard work by our patient architec Wes Spees and team we have finally been granted planning permission, the three stage build will ultimately replace our existing weaving shed allowing us to give members of the public better access to see the weaving and the extra space we need for production.
August - we now have a signed stock of Tell Me A Dragon by Jackie Morris
June - Solva CP school attends a drum workshop at the Mill.
April - we had an unusual visitor, now named George and too young to be out on his own he has gone to England to be raised until he is old enough to come back and be re-introduced on a Welsh river.
February - We ship a stair runner that is to be fitted in the White House of the Confedracy
2008
November - Launch of fabrics by Vanessa Arbuthnott, the full range of Vanessa's fabrics can now be purchsed in our shop.
August - New arrivals - two new kittens, Heddle and Bobbin, start their training.
June 25th - Royal Visit, great excitment, after months of secret planning their royal hignesses the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall arrive at the Mill.
April - We receive a commission to weave floor rugs for Prince Charles's new Welsh home 'Llywynwormwood' .
January - Vanessa Arbuthnott launches a range of floor rugs that we have woven to match one of her most popular patterns.
2007
October - New Stair runner
After 5 years of preperation and sampling we finally weave and ship the replacement stair carpet for Hampton historic house in Maryland, USA. The carpet will be installed in time for the grand re-opening of Hampton to the public in November 2007 after two years of major works.
May 5th - The Party
To celebrate the mills centenary we throw a party, friends and family were invited, they came, celebrated, drank and watched the newley restored wheel turn for the first time.
January 31st - The mill has been open for 100 years.
