A Druid has landed his dream job after taking over a Celtic spiritual shop in Gwent, writes Claudia Wyatt.

Caerleon’s Awen Celtic Spirit shop will reopen on Friday after changing hands.

The shop is tucked away down an alleyway off Caerleon High Street in a walled garden which is also home to the world’s largest Lovespoon carved by Ed Harrison.

Alun Evans, 58, quit his job working nights as a security guard at Chapel Farm Industrial Estate, Cwmcarn, to take on the business after his friend decided to sell the shop.

Mr Evans, originally from Rogerstone but now lives in Abercarn, started working at the shop on his days off as the owner couldn’t be there as often.

When the owner decided it was time to move on, as his heart wasn’t in the business anymore after taking the death of his wife very hard, Mr Evans jumped at the opportunity to buy the place.

Mr Evans said: “It was like a dream come true to me, Caerleon is a little paradise for me. It’s an oasis of wonderfulness, of peace and tranquillity.

“When I came here 20 years ago, I would never have believed I would be running this place.

“It was so wonderful to be able to stop working nights with a four days on four days off shift pattern. I didn’t know what day of the week it was.”

Alun and Grace Evans are both Druids and members of the Order of the Bards.

Druidism is an ancient Celtic spiritual and religious movement that promotes connection and respect to the natural world.

Mr and Mrs Evans are so passionate about Druid spirituality and Celtic traditions that they couldn’t bare to see the shop going to a stranger who might not keep the Druid connection.

Grace Evans said: “We just couldn’t let it go to a stranger, that might’ve been awful.”

This Saturday at midday, Alun and Grace will be holding a Druid blessing ceremony and celebration for the reopening of the shop under the name Spirits of Awen.

The celebration is open to all and will also include music, Steampunk Morris dancing and African drumming.

In Welsh, Awen means poetic inspiration and the shop sells a wide range of Celtic and druid jewellery, stoneware and Lovespoons as well as a range of Celtic literature.