The WVCA was formed in 1986. It's principal aims are to maintain high standards of individual workmanship, develop a professional approach to business dealings and provide opportunities for crafts people to exhibit, demonstrate and sell their work.
Applications for membership are always welcome, especially from crafts people offering crafts that are not already represented in the association.
How to join the WVCA. Anyone wishing to apply for membership will need to attend a meeting bringing along samples of their work. The meeting will be between WVCA committee and applicants. It will be arranged for everyone to meet at a suitable location. This is normally at our Abbey Mill shop.
At the meeting, items submitted are examined for quality. Occasionally applicants may be asked to resubmit items if it is felt they need a better finish or slight adjustment, in which case the application would have to go to a full membership meeting. It is the applicant's responsibility to check out Health and Safety issues if applicable, eg, fire retardant materials if needed, or trading standard regulations for toys.
Membership. There are two levels of membership:
Full - Offered to the first applicant producing a particular craft. The member can participate in any activities of the association. A full member has fist chance of taking part at any venue.
Associate - Generally offered if there is a Full Member with the same craft already in the association. An associate can take part at any venue with the agreement of the full member for that craft. If there is more than one associate member for a particular craft, then the member who applied to join the WVCA first, gets priority.
Both levels of membership give access to a page on our website.
Cost Full membership - £15 per year.
Associate membership - £10 per year.
Joint membership - £25 per year (Two people who work together to produce their craft).
Abbey Mill. The main sales outlet of the WVCA is at Abbey Mill, Tintern. However, joining the Association does not give automatic entitlement of a place. There is usually a waiting list and consideration is given to the types of craft already being sold in the shop. Normally changes to shop members only takes place from when the shop closes at the beginning of January to when we re-open in February each year.
How a shop is run. The shop is divided into shares. The costs (rent, rates, electricity, insurance etc) are calculated and then divided by the number of members who wish to take part. Space is allocated on a near equal basis as possible per member. Consideration regarding space is also given to the type of craft in any particular venue.
Manning the shop. This is done on a rota basis. One person is responsible for sorting the rota. Generally, members forward dates they are unable to do. Once the rota is sorted (before the shop opens) it is the responsibility of members to fulfill their duties. If anyone finds they cannot do a day they need to phone around to arrange a swap with another member. There are also a few members who are willing to do a duty for a fee. There are either one or two people on duty at a time. new members are usually put on with someone who "knows the ropes," especially in busy venues.
Shop takings. Full instructions for banking arrangements are available at venues. There is a simple coding system to identify each member's goods sold. Anyone on duty will need to take a till float.
Payments for goods sold. Our bookkeeper holds complete records of all goods sold in our shops. Each participating member receives a detailed sales sheet of their goods sold and payments are made directly into their bank accounts. Each member's sales are confidential.
NB. Members are responsible for their own tax arrangements. You should keep a basic income/expenditure account of invoices and receipts, as if you are selling goods, the tax man can ask for details. if you have no records, he will decide what you owe! The tax office is very helpful about what you can claim for expenses and general advice.
Craft Fairs. These are generally one day fairs and members are responsible for their own stalls.
Your choice. It is up to each individual member as to whether they participate in any events, fairs or shops that the WVCA organise. Details of forthcoming events will be added to this website.
Still interested in joining the WVCA?
If you wish to join the WVCA and would like to attend a meeting, please fill in the form below and return it to:
Cath Hopkins, Swodaem Neerg, Ellwood, Coleford, Glos, GL16 7CR.
Or for more information, 'phone Nigel Miles, 01495 767835.
You will be contacted to arrange a suitable time and venue. It would be helpful if you could indicate any times you would be available, eg. during the day, not weekends, etc.
Wye Valley Crafts Association
I am interested in applying to become a member of the WVCA.
Name.........................................................................................
Address....................................................................................
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Postcode..................................................................................
Tel.............................................................................................
E-mail.......................................................................................
Craft and brief description
I would be able to attend a meeting at the following times: