In the centre of Llanddewi Brefi village stands a workshop where a craftsman is hard at work. The craftsman is Dafydd Davies and he is one of the country’s leading stick makers, .

His sticks range from shepherds crooks to carved animal and birds heads, through to walking sticks and thumb sticks.

Whichever stick you look at you cannot fail to admire the patience, skill and craftsmanship that has gone into each individual piece. Some have silver ferrules setting off their elegant simplicity. Some are fairly plain, with their beauty lying in the colours and grain in the wooden shafts and the horn handles. Some are more intricate with a leaping trout or a sheepdog crouched for his next command or a majestic eagle’s head with beady eyes to watch your step.  All are works of art.

To own one of Dafydd’s sticks would put you in the company of the Prince of Wales, or the Supreme Champion of an International Sheepdog Society and the Champions of the ‘One Man and His Dog’ competition. Whatever your walk in life Dafydd will craft a stick to accompany you.

You will find a warm welcome in Dafydd’s workshop, and he is happy to demonstrate to you how he goes about his work. For those with a serious interest, he runs stickmaking courses during the winter months. Or, you could return to Brynheulog to collect from Dafydd the stick you ordered this time around!

For further information: email or call Dafydd on 01974 298566.