The small farming community of Ysgeifiog , near Solva, was home to one of the last clogmakers in the district, Thomas (Tommy) James. Born in 1886 he was apprenticed to John Morris, Carpenter of Treffynnon in 1900.
In 1908 he set up as a clogmaker in Croesgoch. When he married in 1910 he moved to Tŷ Isaf, Ysgeifiog where he continued his work. He used sycamore wood, which grows well in the area in his small corrugated iron shed, which today stands in the grounds of the National Museum of Wales in St Fagans. Sycamore wood is light in colour, hard and strong which makes it ideal for carving.
His clogs were particularly popular with farmworkers who thought they were stronger than wellington boots and protected their feet from accidents with agricultural equipment. As wood is a natural insulator it also had the added benefits of keeping the workers’ feet cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Cow hide was used to make the upper parts and, when heated, was flexible enough to be moulded into the shape of a clog.
Traditional Welsh clogs are never made with flat soles thus enabling the wearer to ‘rock’ slightly when walking. This also makes them comfortable to wear.
Tommy is buried at Caerfarchell Chapel where he was a deacon for many years .
No Comments
Add a comment about this page