A COUPLE from the Teifi Valley will be retiring from the woollen industry after almost 60 years.

Raymond and Diane Jones have been working at Melin Teifi mill in Dre-fach Felindre, which they established in 1982 after the Cambrian Mills closed.

The pair had worked at the Cambrian Mills for 18 years and established Melin Teifi on the site of their former employment.

Over the last 40 years, the Jones’ and Melin Teifi’s experienced team have played an integral role in the visitor experience of the National Wool Museum, which is also located on the site, allowing the tradition of working mills to be seen.

There are only a few working wool mills remaining in Wales and as Amgueddfa Cymru has now acquired Melin Teifi’s machinery and will be ensuring that the equipment will remain in place, be protected, maintained and used to continue the tradition of flannel weaving in Wales.

Ann Whittall, head of the National Wool Museum, said: “The National Wool Museum have worked closely with Raymond and Diane over the last four decades; we will miss their presence here on the site of the National Wool Museum.

“Their passion, enthusiasm and expertise has enriched our understanding and appreciation of the woollen industry and have offered our visitors a unique insight into the life of a working mill.

“The acquisition of these historic looms and machinery by Amgueddfa Cymru will ensure that the tradition of wool weaving in Wales will be protected for future generations. It will enable our craftspeople to continue their training and develop their skills as they produce high quality Welsh woollen blankets.

“All of us at the National Wool Museum would like to thank Raymond and Diane for their contribution to the woollen industry in Wales and wish them a very happy retirement.

“This is not the end of the story, simply a new chapter in the story of the woollen industry in Wales.”

Amgueddfa Cymru is a charity with seven national museums and a collections centre across Wales to inspire people through Wales’ stories.