ELWYN LOVES HIS HOBBY

AFTER an accident seven years ago in which his spine was damaged, Mr. Elwyn Evans, a former fireman, of Heol Wallasey, Ammanford took u making love spoons.

Having had no training, Mr. Evans

(pictured right) read up about the traditional Welsh spoons and has now made over forty.

Although there is a market for Mr. Evans ‘ work it is strictly not for sale – it is his hobby!

He said each of his spoons tells a story and described the one that he made for his wife: the top ring denotes fidelity and each of the links that follow represent the number of children in the family – in Mr. Evans' case four. The attached cross means faith and the vine around it – love. The neck of the spoon of the spoon stemming from the cross and carved in a diamond shape, means the sharing of wealth and the spoon itself that the giver will provide.

Thinking that the wooden ball in the handle was merely for decoration, Mr. Evans explained that it represents a captured soul.

He is currently working on a piece that took 18 months to bring to its half finished state.

The Romany caravan, a miniature replica of an original gypsy abode

abode , where “everything has to be made by hand.”

The model making began when Mr. Evans saw a picture of a museum piece.

They are made from plywood, canvas and plaster designs that Mr. Evans casts himself. Since it is a working model every detail must be exact. There is a milk churn, a minute gas lamp, a folding bed and a stove, all painted in bright reds, blues and yellows.

“I tried to follow the building of the original,” and he added, “the comfort in the caravan was incredible.”

Romany caravans can be put into four classes of decoration and Mr. Evans hopes eventually to complete all four.