Words and Images by Kelsey Roberts

Esther Waters, Maesteg resident, paints rocks and pebbles and places them around the town cheering up the residents of Maesteg and has now been found around the world in places like Dubai and America. Esther started painting rocks on her holiday in Devon in July 2020 when the COVID pandemic started. Now she paints rocks for the town as well as people who send her bags of pebbles. When she began painting, Esther was anonymous but as the rocks gained attraction on Facebook, she started leaving her name on the back of them for people to re-hide and share. She also paints rocks for residents who have lost loved ones and want to put something special on their loved ones graveside.

The rocks has brought cheer and joy to the residents as Esther writes affirmations on the rocks to uplift the community and bring the spirit back to the town. As a Christian woman, Esther believes that “giving these rocks to people blesses them and brings them comfort.” Esther posts her rocks on Facebook for people to keep an eye out when out and about in the town.