Local craftsmen’s products stocked in Highgrove shops

A product designed and made by a team of skilled craftsmen based in Haverfordwest is among those sold through The Prince of Wales’ Highgrove shops on the Highgrove Estate, in Tetbury, and online.

The hand-crafted wooden library steps, created by Norman Industries in Snowdrop Lane, are made for Highgrove Enterprises, which donates all profits from the sale of its products to the Prince of Wales’s Charitable Foundation.

The steps are just one of many bespoke creations – including kitchens, staircases and beds – designed by Norman Industries for a range of customers.

The supported enterprise employs people with a disability or long term health problems.

It is part of the DWP Work Choice programme, which allows it to employ people who might not otherwise be considered in the workplace.

“Since it opened almost 40 years ago, Norman Industries has developed a wide range of expertise,” said Cllr Simon Hancock, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health, Well-being and Equalities.

“They are producing items of a very high standard which can compete in the bespoke market.”

The enterprise also has a new range of ready-to-buy items such as garden planters, kitchen stools and laptop tables.

Karen Davies, Project Manager, said that while its products have changed, they are committed to their aim of supporting people with disability and long term health problems.

In addition, as part of the COASTAL project over the last five years, Norman Industries has now become a City & Guilds training centre.

Staff have trained to become mentors, assessors and trainers and they now support a wide range of people on a journey towards employment.

“The training helps build confidence and skills, and they provide excellent mentoring to other people with a disability or long term health condition,” said Karen.

“A number of the current staff have come through this process and are now supported by Work Choice as paid members of staff.”

She added: “Norman Industries is an important resource that we want to succeed and its management team has been working hard to develop a plan which will hopefully see it develop and flourish and become an exemplar social enterprise.”

To view some of Norman Industries’ products, please come to their workshop at Snowdrop Lane, Haverfordwest or view: www.facebook.com/NormanIndustries
www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/normanindustries

Or please phone Norman Industries on 01437 763650 to request more details on their stock.

Captions

Library chairsteps
Bespoke wooden library steps – which can be transformed into a chair – created for Highgrove Enterprises. Profits from the sale of Highgrove products are donated to The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Foundation, a grant-making charity which supports a wide range of causes and projects. Available from www.highgroveshop.com

Pictured at Norman Industries are their recent re-launch are (left to right) Ian Westley, Chief Executive, Cllr Simon Hancock, Cllr Wynne Evans, chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Karen Davies, Robert Davies, and Ian Harries, factory operatives.