Tresaith : The Welsh Town and the Story of The Seven Sisters
As a West Walian native, my art is primarily based upon the Ceredigion coast, its curving coastline, and the surrounding natural beauty. The textured cliffs, rhythmic tides, and the curving coastline influence organic forms and textures in my ceramics. Each piece of ceramics inspired by the Welsh coast, which I create in my Aberystwyth ceramics studio, reflects the connection between land and sea, capturing the prominent essence of coastal Wales through handcrafted, unique ceramic art.
While organising my evening ceramics event, Paint Your Own Pottery Christmas Edition, at The Ship in Tresaith on Tuesday, 9th December, I was inspired to explore the origins of the town's name and the folklore attached. Many West Walian towns have names steeped in legend, each telling a prominent and unique story usually surrounding their people and generational myths and legends.
The Town of Seven
The quaint Welsh town of Tresaith is known today for its waterfall, where a freshwater stream meets the sea. Tre, meaning town, and Saith, meaning seven, tells the story of the seven sisters of Tresaith, the daughters of a sea captain near Aberporth. The daughters spent their days wandering the shores, longing to explore beyond Cardigan Bay and often seeking adventure.
One night, they stole their father's ship and sailed away into the mist, never to return. Heartbroken, their father searched in vain. After a great storm, seven streams appeared flowing down the cliffs, believed to be the sisters' spirits returning home as waterfalls and representing the tears of each fallen sister. One of these still flows at Tresaith Beach, where it's said their laughter can still be heard in the falling water.
Even as a local, I had never heard the origins of this story, and Welsh folklore will always continue to fascinate me.
Celebrate the spirit of the Seven Sisters' adventurous and daring hearts by joining me for a festive bauble painting workshop in Tresaith at 6pm on Tuesday, 9th December.
Book here or browse my other events to find a class that suits your schedule.