Sweets & Ties from Caldey

Catholic Herald Reporter
THE Cistercian monks of Caldey Island, off the coast of Pembrokeshire, already famous for their perfumes, are extending their scope. They are now going into the manufacture of sweets in a big way and are also making a start on hand-weaving of men's ties. This week, the monks have been registering with the Board of Trade the names of sweets which they have been selling in small quantities for the past few years.
"People are beginning to ask for them by name, so we thought we'd better get in before any other manufacturer pinched our good name", said one of the monks jovially.
What sort of sweets are they? "Boiled sweets, made with honey and apples and strawberries", the monk declared, "and we can recommend them. You can have a jar-full for Is. 34.1. We use as much home-made stuff as we can. as well as a few secrets of our own". One of the monks has been over to the Continent to acquire some of the secrets of sweet-makers in the Cistercian Mother House there. Another has been learning the art of hand-weaving for the newest of all Caldey industries — handwoven woollen ties which are to sell at 12s, bd. each.
From Australia "I his hand-weaving is one of our growing departments", a monk told me. He added jokingly: "We're a sort of ecclesiastical Marks and Spencers. Right now we're busy bottling and boxing our perfumes for the summer trade."
The demand for these perfumes has snared since the monks opened a special shop in London near Harrods. "The shop has acted as a window to the trade. Apart from the ordinary shoppers, all sorts of dealers have popped in and placed orders", I was told.
Last week, a departmental store in Australia was In such a hurry to get some of the Caldey perfumes that they phoned through to Caldey and placed a substantial order. Inevitably, the Caldey monks' industries have attracted all sorts of comic jibes from the uninformed: ("You've certainly got a nose for business"). Those who know the monks, however, point out that their life on the tiny Caldey Island is anything but easy or "romantic".
The cost of maintaining the monastery and its community of 35 is around £30,000 a year. General mixed farming, the mainstay of most monasteries. is difficult on Caldey Island. Other means of support have, therefore. to be found.
• The primary object of the Cistercian Order is the sanctification of its members by a life of labour, mortification, silence and prayer. The monks have to live by their own labours. Their day begins at 2 a m.. with the recitation of Matins and Lauds of Our Lady. They abstain from all meat. Strict fasts are observed throughout the year. There is no "recreation time" as in other religious communities.