Collection: Suzi Park : Cambrian Wool

A Royal Initiative

The King was a supporter and promoter of Cambrian Mountains Initiative, one of four rural initiatives aimed at supporting and developing the upland farming economies of Mid Wales, Dartmoor, the Peak District and The North Highlands. The King a attended the launch event of Cambrian Wool in 2008 at Nanteos Mansion, where the work of the winners of an international competition using Cambrian Wool were presented.

From the ancient woollen industry of Wales to the even more ancient mining history of the Cambrian Mountains, inspiration is all around us in this wildly beautiful part of the British Isles – one of the last bastions of the original Britons, whose language still exists in Welsh.

The rugged landscape of this region – from the Bronze Age through to the early 20th century, minerals were mined here: silver lead, zinc, iron and gold. And there are links too with Cornwall and even Italy, as miners with particular skills were brought in to make the most of these valuable commodities. The stoney wastes and ruined buildings provide inspiration for local artists like Barbara Matthews, who in turn inspired us when thinking about yarn colours and knit textures – moss stitch and pebbly knots, dots and spots, with a bit of slip and tuck for good measure. Connections with Italy give us coloured glass and mosaics to add to an eclectic and cosmopolitan mix.

The old hill and wayside cottages and remote farms – tribute to a sparse life drawn from the unforgiving landscape, provide inspiration too. The traditional red oxide paint of doors and window frames, the old corrugated tin used to replace leaking thatch and crumbling slates, the single roomed interiors made homely with huge hooded hearths and crogloffts for additional space. The hiraeth of belonging and longing, a yearning for what was, and the little comforts that brighten our lives.