I WAS quite surprised to read Sue Dubois's letter in the

Review relating to local crafts. Has she not heard of the

"Wye Valley Crafts Association'" who have been in

existence since 1986.

We have a permanent shop at Abbey Mill in Tintern

which is run as a co-operative, the only way we feel we

can operate and offer the public local crafts at an

acceptable price.

We originally accepted crafts from the Wye Valley

area but have had to widen our net for certain crafts in

order for us to have a viable number of members.

Some of our members do supply local outlets but

obviously cannot offer many items at the price they are

sold in the Abbey Mill Shop as there is middle man or

gallery commission to be added.

The Wye Valley Crafts Association did apply to the

Authorities to obtain the shop at Beechenhurst and to run

it ourselves with our vast experience at such ventures, but

we were turned down.

The Association was started all those years ago in

order to aid craftspeople who were fed up with paying

high commissions at galleries or expected to sell at a

ridiculously low price and the retailer doubling it or

expected to offer sale or return.

We are at present in need of certain crafts and are on

a recruitment drive as there will be a space or two in the

Tintern shop in the new year.

Any craftsperson who may be interested in applying

for membership would need to write or call in for an

application form at W.V.C.A. Abbey Mill, Tintern,

Monmouthshire.

– Name and address supplied.