Wonderwool Wales, the award-winning show that celebrates all that’s great about Welsh wool and natural fibres, is planning to return in style in 2022 following a pandemic enforced absence of two years.
Buoyed by support from the Wales Cultural Recovery Fund, the organisers are pressing ahead with plans to hold the 16th show on April 23 and 24 next year at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells, subject to any restrictions at the time.
Tickets for the show, which traditionally attracts more than 6,000 visitors, must be purchased online in advance at wonderwoolwales.co.uk and will be available mid-December. Tickets will cost £12 per day or £22 for the weekend.
Two stunning and unique exhibitions – a collection of knitted and crocheted maps of seven different places around the UK and a zany, handcrafted interpretation of Alice in Wonderwool – will feature in Hall 3 at the show.
Both exhibitions, which were originally planned for the 2020 event, will be raising money for Wales Air Ambulance.
With several new exhibitors already confirmed, there will be plenty for visitors to see and do at Wonderwool Wales, which was judged best event in Mid Wales at the inaugural Mid Wales Tourism Awards in 2019.
The event was also highly commended in the Best Loved Knitting Show or Event category in last year’s British Knitting & Crochet Awards.
The December 31 closing date is fast approaching for exhibitors to apply for a place at the event. The organisers are aiming for 210 exhibitors to fill the halls with beautiful, hand dyed yarns and fibre, along with equipment and quality finished products, giving visitors an opportunity to stock up on supplies.
For those seeking creative inspiration, there will be demonstrations and have-a-go sessions hosted by some exhibitors. When the shopping is done, there will be plenty of tea and coffee stops and a tempting selection of refreshments from Street Food vendors.
Chrissie Menzies, a director of Wonderwool Wales, said whilst it had been very disappointing to cancel the last two shows due to the pandemic, the directors were encouraged by the many positive messages received from supporters.
“We are very grateful for grant support from the Wales Cultural Recovery Fund which has enabled us to press ahead with plans for Wonderwool Wales in April next year,” she added. “Tickets for the show are being sold online so that we know exactly how many people are coming.”
Developed to promote the market for Welsh wool and natural fibres, Wonderwool Wales was first held in 2006 and has grown in scale and popularity alongside a knitting, crochet, felting and textile craft making boom.
