Local residents and visitors to the town have been enjoying creative workshops that Mary Deaville, of CHAPEL Creatives CIC, has been organising.

CHAPEL Creatives CIC provides creative activities for people of all ages and abilities to help aid good mental health and improve emotional well being.  CHAPEL stands for Creatives Helping All People Enjoy Life. 

Mary told the Ross Gazette: “Some just enjoyed watching the wonderful things that were being created. We made jewellery with Dannii Dulake, cartoon avatars, with Vanessa Rhead, adult doodling was taught, and Father’s Day cards were made with Ali Gameson.

“Some wonderful people decided to combine the crafts and did bead art to give amazing results. All activities were provided free to the community of Ross-on-Wye in the Venue, Hill St, Ross-on-Wye.”

She said the team would like to thank Vincent Tweed and The Venue for letting them use their building and facilities for free, and added that it proved to be a great support for us and the many that attended. 

CHAPEL Creatives CIC has been a vision of Mary’s since August, 2015.  Although they have not been able to acquire premises for a permanent base yet, they have been a registered, not for personal profit, community interest company since March, 2017.

The organisation remained mainly dormant, due to no funding, until February, 2019 when they received a £300 donation from the Ross Baptist Church as a result of attending their regular coffee morning on Thursdays.

Mary said: “We want to encourage, support and inspire individuals.  We value your talents and skills and would pay you to put on activities and events Free to the community.  However, if you would like the opportunity of earning more, you could advertise a chargeable event for the community and tourists to attend, giving CHAPEL Creatives CIC commission from ticket sales or a donation for the use of the premises. 

“There would be opportunities for schools, professional, amateur and budding artists and individual members of the community to exhibit their artwork through annual events and exhibitions.

“We are still interested in hearing from artists willing to find out more about how we can support each other and also possible premises that might be suitable.   If members of the public or local businesses wanted to support us in our aims to help our community we would be most grateful for any fundraising made on our behalf to help us provide our creative service.”

The aim of the organisation is to expand into the community of Ross-on-Wye with free creative services to all.  If you would like to get in contact, email [email protected] or ring Mary Deaville on 07828007257.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.