Maddie Templeton

Category: Pensychnant

  • A Special Meeting with Iolo Williams

    In September, Pensychnant Nature Conservation Centre, near Conwy, was thrilled to welcome the BBC Springwatch presenter Iolo Williams for a special visit. Iolo met the staff and volunteers and learned about the vital work they do to help nature survive and thrive in this part of Wales.

    He also came to see a picture of himself that was submitted to the 2026 Pensychnant Open Art Exhibition, and had a good look round at the other 149 artworks on show. As everyone was enjoying tea and cake on the lawn, Iolo came to chat to my mum and I. He asked if we could show him my picture in the exhibition, so we took him back into the room where it was on display, and he very kindly showed a great interest in my work.

    Iolo Williams showed a great interest in my ‘Oak of Hope’ piece, which can be seen between us on the wall.

    He highly approved of the title, 2800 Species: the Oak of Hope and my thinking behind the piece, and he was fascinated that I’d created it from wool rather than paint or ink.

    It’s made from wool! Can I touch it?

    Iolo was very complimentary and encouraging about my work, and I’d like to thank him for his time and kind words.

    So Iolo, I hope we’ll see you again at Pensychnant one day, and you can be assured there will always be cake and a big welcome from us all!

  • A Photo Shoot for Upcycled Clothes

    This summer I joined a new group of keen stitchers who met at Pensychnant Nature Conservation Centre each week to rescue, recycle, upcycle and embellish old or broken clothing to produce new and unique garments. It was a pleasure to be among like-minded people in such a creative and positive atmosphere. The results of these workshops spoke for themselves, with one lady creating a stylish long jacket from several pairs of her son’s discarded jeans, another fashioning a gorgeous tiered skirt from old tops and T-shirts, while another member took a pair of unused curtains and made them into a striking red ball-gown, complete with matching mask!

    Pensychnant, a uniquely special place where nature and creativty can thrive!

    I attended in my needle felting capacity, upcycling some of my own clothes so I could wear them again. I gave a pair of tatty, paint-stained jogging bottoms a brighter look with felted flowers, fungi and a few celestial motifs, and I completely transformed a sweatshirt that I had avoided for years. It’s my old leaver’s hoodie from my senior school, where I wasn’t very happy.

    Although I liked the colour and style, it was covered with pupils’ names and the school logo, and I didn’t want to be reminded of what was, for me, a very painful time.  So rather than throw it away, I decided to give it a personalised makeover. I covered over all the writing and logos with images of some of my favourite marine animals. I’ve always loved sea creatures, and find them fascinating and therapeutic to watch, so the old leavers’ hoodie I once avoided has become a garment I want to wear, and I wear it with a smile!

    Now I wear my transformed leavers’ hoodie with a smile!

    The names on the back have now been replaced with a humpback whale!

    At the end of summer we all got together one sunny Saturday for a fun and informal fashion shoot to display the fruits of our work, and the parade of unique and colourful outfits proved a great attraction. The day was such a success that the group decided to carry on meeting, so the inspiring Zero Waste Fashion Project are still busy creating new clothes from old.

    The Zero Waste Fashion Project ladies modelled their creations at the fun fashion shoot.

    So next time you think about throwing away a piece of clothing, why not think about transforming it into something new instead?