Spent a packed day meeting, greeting, listening to some pretty amazing people. I’ve already got a much better picture of who does what, who funds what and why. The NGO sector is huge in Africa, and for the most part it deals directly with civic and community organizations, but at some points, for example the Civic Forum on Housing & Habitat, where I am, it has to deal with the government in a lobbying and advocacy role. Interesting, as the Forum is funded by the Swedish Cooperative Centre, which is itself funded by the Swedish Government.

Some things are surprisingly familiar - there are issues that the Zambian Government wants organizations to mainstream: sustainability is a familiar one; gender, perhaps; but HIV/Aids is a well established agenda here, and anti-fraud and corruption is actively being promoted now (I should know, I had to sit through the meeting!)

There are lots of things happening in the gallery this month. There's the Keepsakes Project Workshop this saturday, and curator of costumes and textiles, Elen Phillips will also be giving behind the scenes tours of the Museum stores. It is essential that you book in advance for the tours (which will also be held the week after on the 16th too) as spaces are limited.

This months Playtime session for toddlers is now fully booked, so make sure you book early for the next ones!

As usual, the art cart will be in the gallery during October half term. From Saturday 23 until Friday 29 of October we will be making things to do with Keepsakes to tie in with the exhibiton, and then on the 30th and 31st we will be making something spooky for Halloween.

We had a lovely time at the workshop on Saturday making rush memory ropes with Prue Thimbleby and little books and labels with Becky Adams. We'll be running it again next saturday, 9 October from 11 until 1 and 2 until 4. No need to book as it's a drop in session.

Photograph by Claire Phillips-Thomas

Keepsakes project workshop tomorrow (sat 2nd oct) in Oriel 1, St Fagans: National History Museum. Prue Thimbleby and Becky Adams will be showing you how to make and decorate memory ropes.

It's a drop in work shop and runs between 11 and 1 and then 2 until 4, it is suitable for children and adults. Why not come by and make something beautiful.

We are also starting a quilting club on November 6. Am getting excited already!

Ysgol Rhiwmawr came to our Looking at Buildings session today. They made the most fantastic models of Llainfadyn and Nant Wallter