It was ‘mocktails’ all round for members of Abergavenny Crafty Women as they celebrated another milestone and became a formally constituted group.

The project was started back in January 2013, at Wellfield Hall in Abergavenny, by local arts charity Arts Alive Wales.

The aim of the weekly Friday creative textiles group - a partnership initiative commissioned by Monmouthshire Housing Association - was to reduce isolation and improve resilience and wellbeing for women tenants living in North Abergavenny communities.

Crafty Women took off quickly and its success soon won awards and accolades.

With money from Health Control through The Health Lottery, Arts Alive Wales appointed member Sue Jones as project coordinator and started a second group in 2014 for complete beginners and women with high support needs.

Since then, both groups have gone from strength to strength, making, selling and exhibiting their own work and undertaking sewing commissions. For its members, however, enjoyment is the most important thing.

Sue, who is now chair of the group, explained, “We’ve all developed lovely friendships. We share laughs and skills and Crafty Women helps us all relax, feel safe, included and very much a part of our local community.”

Behind the scenes, members have been working closely with Arts Alive Wales, the Community Investment team at MHA, Jo Gillard at GAVO and Sara Warshawski, Monmouthshire County Council’s small enterprise coordinator.

Abergavenny Crafty Women are now ready to ‘go it alone’ and proceeds from the handy crafts they make will sustain the group for the future.

Support from all the partners will continue as the group finds its feet.

Arts Alive Wales Director Justine Wheatley said, “Women sitting together to sew, make and chat – it’s an idea as old as the hills. We are delighted with the achievements of this talented and creative bunch of women and we wish them every luck for the future.”

For more information contact Sue Jones via the facebook page: www.facebook.com/abergavennycraftywomen