Carmarthen, 21-23 April 2017.

Join BAMS amidst the beauty of rural south Wales for an informal weekend based in and around Carmarthen, Wales’ oldest town.

The weekend will begin with an opportunity to show and view medals at Oriel Myrddin – the Old Art School – where there will be a drinks reception. All delegates are invited to bring medals to display (at their own risk.)  A carvery dinner will follow at the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, a short walk away, where residential delegates will be based.

Our Saturday activities will be based at Colleg Sir Gâr (Carmarthen School of Art) with a morning of talks with speakers including Sally Moss, outlining the history of The Old Art School; Noel and Alan Cox speaking about Welsh tokens; Andy Griffiths revealing how involvement in the Student Medal Project has influenced his work as a sculptor, and Swiss medallist Maya Graber talking about her work. After lunch and the AGM, the workshop will enable delegates to design direct into sand and see their work poured in iron. The medals made will be available to take home on Sunday. The college will also stage a display about medal collecting.

On Saturday evening, we take a coach from the hotel for an after-hours visit to Carmarthenshire County Museum for a drinks reception and a Private View of Welsh Connections, featuring medals about Wales by Welsh artists, curated by Irene Gunston and a local volunteer.  The coach will then take us on to the home of Andy Griffiths and his family, where delegates are invited to an informal vegetarian supper.

On Sunday morning we take a coach from the hotel to nearby St. Clears to visit the workshop of renowned Welsh sculptor David Petersen and learn about the blacksmithing and forging techniques he uses in his work.  The visit will be followed by lunch at the local pub.

Our coach will then travel on for a brief stop in beautiful Laugharne, which so inspired Dylan Thomas.  Delegates will have the opportunity to see his famous Writing Shed before the coach takes us back to the hotel to collect luggage prior to departure.  We expect to be back at the hotel at 3.30pm.  Delegates leaving by train should allow time for luggage pick up and the short journey to Carmarthen Station.

To book your place, please return the Carmarthen 2017 delegates booking form with your cheque to Janet Larkin, or order online:

Full residential fee – £275 per person (includes Friday and Saturday night B&B accommodation at The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, all lunches, dinners and events).

Non-residential fee – £150 per person (includes all lunches, dinners and events)

The full programme will be sent to delegates in advance.

Please note that in view of the distances that some members will need to travel in order to attend the 2017 conference, BAMS is setting aside £300 from the small surplus made from previous conferences to help with travel expenses. Please note that this offer is available only to members attending the full conference as fee paying residential delegates. Any member wishing to avail themselves of this opportunity should contact the BAMS Treasurer,  Rob Lansman by 1 March at [email protected].

The funds will be allocated by the BAMS Treasurer, whose decision will be final.

We very much look forward to seeing you in South Wales!