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Joanna Thomas has been appointed as the National Wool Museum’s new Education Officer, and one of her main aims within that role is to ensure the story of one of Wales’ most important industries is communicated to an even greater number of people.

The National Wool Museum is based in the picturesque village of Dre-fach Felindre near Newcastle Emlyn, which was once the hub of the woollen industry. During the late nineteenth and first part of the twentieth centuries, the woollen industry sustained the Welsh rural community and carding, spinning, and weaving were part of the domestic routine.

Therefore being such an important part of our heritage, Joanna is eager to ensure it is also an integral part of local children’s education:

“Located at the site of the old Cambrian Mills, the National Wool Museum is the perfect place to introduce school groups to the Welsh woollen industry. With historic machinery, a collection of woollen garments which can be tried on, and people’s memories of the industry, there are plenty of opportunities for children and young people to learn about the significance of wool to Wales.”

Joanna used to be the Head of Art at Ysgol Bryngwyn, Llanelli before moving to work as a Youth Officer on a Multi Media Project in Carmarthenshire. But working for a Museum has been one of Joanna’s ambitions since leaving school. She concluded:

“I’m looking forward to working with local schools, creating educational packages to suit them. Also responsible for developing the events programme, I am keen to talk to people from the area about what kind of activities they’d like to see here at the Museum.”

The National Wool Museum is part of Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales which operates six other national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Waterfront Museum and the National Slate Museum, Llanberis.

Entry to all Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum sites is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

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For further information, please contact Catrin Mears, Communications Officer, tel: 029 2057 3486 or email catrin.mears@amgueddfacymru.ac.uk.