Across the road from where we are is Trefriw Woollen Mill. I’d seen tourists arrive in busloads. Up to 50% of the products sold are produced in the mill itself.

The patterns I’ve been told are traditionally Welsh and the souvenirs are as varied in form and design as in colours. When we bought our house we inherited from its previous owners two lovely woven bedspreads that I was told are of an older design. I got curiouser and curiouser about the makers and making of such lovely bedspreads.

• Loom from 1956 Loom from 1956
• Knitting Kit Knitting Kit
• Morgan weaving Morgan weaving
• Carding machine Carding machine
• Balls of wool Balls of wool
• More products More products
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When I first heard Trefriw Woollen Mill described, it came across as more of an institution than the school beside it. I wanted to understand more than the machinations so spoke to Elaine and Morgan, siblings and co-owners of the popular tourist attraction. It was late on a Saturday when I popped in with an oversized camera and little hope of an interview. The staff behind the counter were Dilly and Evelyn who were brimming with helpful information. Elaine soon appeared and acquiesced to help me out with my little project. It had been a long day for Elaine and weariness was showing so I was touched by her gesture. We sat in the mill café talking about creating dye colours and her impending visit to the trade fair up north. I could sense her shyness slowly crumble around the edges. When I asked if her work at Trefriw Woollen Mill was passion or just an inherited legacy Elaine couldn’t be sure. Then, she took me around to where bales of woven bedspreads lay on shelves in neat, bright rows. As she touched the fabric, the colours shone through in her eyes and lit up her voice. There it was - the passion - just as I had suspected.

I met Morgan the following week. He was just as kind and easy going as she had been. As we sat down in the café, he offered me tea and cakes, I was tempted but this man was taking time out of his busy schedule so I could trot out later with a grin, having accomplished my mission. I didn’t want to waste his time waiting for me as I stuffed my face with the crumblies. Morgan pointed out Trefriw Woollen Mill was now more of a museum and tourist attraction than a mill and many mills around the country had closed. Looking at the heavy machinery I tried to imagine how much it must take to keep them in good running condition. Morgan was frank about the high cost of maintenance and the need for grants and investments. Would I like to see the looms and turbine he asked. I grabbed my camera and the opportunity to see, through Morgan’s demonstration at the loom, the intricacies of colour, pattern, and watch once raw wool transform into bedspread. Morgan’s enthusiasm surprises me. It was obvious he loved what he was doing. Years of routine would wear most people down but not Morgan. As he showed me round the museum upstairs, I could detect in his patient, methodical approach pride in generations of hardwork and creative talent.

When I left Trefriw Woollen Mill for the second time in four days, I was truly enriched by my experience. I had hoped to learn something about carding machines and yarn production instead I walked out feeling privileged for I had just been given a glimpse into honest to goodness Welsh family values and work ethos. I hope they get the funding they need because they certainly deserve it.