ECHO’s project Clever Betsy hasn’t been quite the same without one of our participants who left us a while ago to take up another opportunity. Now Jonathon has returned to join the team running the shop on a Thursday and we are delighted to welcome him back. He said he is ‘very happy’ to be with his friends and is looking forward to serving customers again.
One of his main interests is scrap booking and we know there will be plenty of chance to do this alongside building up his other craft skills. Jonathon is a keen rug maker and enjoys using the peg loom to make bright, colourful designs.
Clever Betsy is just one of ECHO’s many innovative projects. It gives participants the chance to take part in a wide variety of crafts and develop retail skills for those who like to be involved in the shop. Open all week, the project offers a unique environment where members of the public can browse the diverse range of goods on display as well as meet the team.
The project is run by Zoe Bradley, Rebecca Tabram, Liz Evans and Emily Penrose all enthusiastic and experienced staff that give a huge amount of time and energy to make sure everyone is well supported, encouraged and motivated. They are helped by a wonderful team of regular volunteers who also add to the wealth of talent that this project attracts.
Clever Betsy does much to add to the street scene of Leominster, being one of the brightest and most colourful shops with regular outdoor art displays and windows that are a visual treat. Much of the creativity is sparked by the generous donations of fabric, yarn and other craft materials that come into the project. These are very welcome and give the participants meaningful activities to sort through and decide what can be used or sold in the shop. All funds raised go straight back into the project to help with running costs.
ECHO runs a similar project in Hereford in partnership with the Green Eyed Monster company, it’s called Rose Tinted Rags and you can visit their Facebook page HERE
and if you would like to keep up to date with all that happens at Clever Betsy follow them on FACEBOOK or their new Instagram account.
