Carmarthen care home residents capture ‘Spirit of Wales’ in photography exhibition

Residents of a Carmarthen care home for disabled adults recently welcomed Assembly Member Joyce Watson to a special viewing of their ‘Spirit of Wales’ photography exhibition.
The photographs were taken by 10 residents of Ty Cwm and Johnstown supported living, run by Leonard Cheshire.
Part of a Big Lottery funded project, the exhibition, which included a workshop at the National Botanic Garden of Wales with professional photographer Drew Buckley, gave residents of the west Wales facilities the opportunity to have their artwork – photographs of Welsh rural landscapes, flora and fauna – professionally developed and displayed.
The Mid and West Wales AM, herself a keen nature photographer, enthused:
“I am very grateful to residents and staff for inviting me to enjoy this very special viewing. The photographs are stunning – and I picked up some useful tips too!”
Mrs Watson, who exhibited her own wildlife photography at the National Assembly for Wales two years ago, traded tips with Ty Cwm resident Owen Savage, who produced 12 images for the exhibition, and former professional photographer Ralph Mortimer.
Ralph contracted multiple sclerosis in 1985 and has been supported by Leonard Cheshire Disability in supported living since 2010.. He continued working as a professional photographer until 1990, traveling the world, but eventually was unable to continue due to ill health. Now though, through the ‘Spirit of Wales’ project, Ralph has once again been able to pursue his passion.