Where and when
Woolfest 2012 will be held on Friday 22 June 10am-6pm & Saturday 23 June 10am-5pm
at Mitchell's Lakeland Livestock Centre, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 0QQ.
Entrance costs £6 per day. No concessions. Accompanied children free
Tickets only available on the door
**Next Year's Dates** Friday & Saturday 28th & Saturday 29th 2013
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Ewe and improved Woolfest
Now in its eighth year, Woolfest 2012 (Friday 22 and Saturday 23 June) is all set to beat even last year's records as an extension at the Mitchell's Cockermouth venue allows the event to expand to over 160 stalls and to make more of one of its established features.
"Many of our regular designers, makers and suppliers will be at Woolfest again for what has become a highlight of the wool craft year," says Marion Woolcott, one of the organisers, "but we always try to keep things fresh and varied too. There will be over 25 businesses with us for the first time in June, including Emmie and Emma from Cockermouth. Linton Direct Yarns and The Yarn Store from Carlisle as well as Hof Kornrade from further afield in the Black Forest region of Germany."
Rare breeds take centre stage
As well as the growth in stall numbers and a continued emphasis on the variety and colour of modern wool crafts, Woolfest organisers are working hard to ensure that rare breed fleece animals take centre stage, especially their role in conservation grazing and the value of their quality fleece.
"The animals have always been a highlight of Woolfest," says Jan Hicks, who is responsible for the animals and the fleece sale at Woolfest, "and the new space and layout at Mitchell's means that we can spread out a bit and make more of this side of the event."
"Cathy Cassie will be with us on at least one day of Woolfest, demonstrating her shearing skills and also talking about her work as a Conservation Grazing Manager with Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust. The involvement of Peter Titley and the Rare Breed Survival Trust also gives us an opportunity to let people know more about the threat to many of our traditional breeds of sheep and how Woolfest visitors can help to save them."
Getting involved
Visitors, especially the younger ones, will have plenty to do at Woolfest this year as Eden Arts will be there - possibly with members of their growing FLOCK - and Elizabeth Cadd will be encouraging visitors to have a go at freeform Weaving with Nature.
For the more ambitious, Woolfest is working with nearby Higham Hall at Bassenthwaite for the third year to offer visitors a range of opportunities to spend more time in the area and to learn new wool craft skills. The 2012 programme at Higham Hall includes four one-day workshops in the days before Woolfest - spindle spinning, vintage knitting, needle felted birds or crochet as still life - as well as two weekend courses (22-24 June) led by Cumbrian tutors, Ruth Lee and Debbie Lucas, that include a trip to Woolfest as part of their programme.
"The link between Higham Hall and Woolfest has worked well for us in recent years," says Rebecca Selfridge, one of the Woolfest organisers, "and this year's programme includes workshops that cover a wide range of wool crafts and are led by some of our regular stallholders and Woolfest enthusiasts."
Practical details
Woolfest 2012 will be home to over 160 stalls on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 June and the event takes over Mitchell's Lakeland Livestock Centre in Cockermouth for those two days.
Entry is just £6 with accompanied children free.
Directions and details can be found at www.woolfest.co.uk or on the event's Facebook page or by calling The Wool Clip at Caldbeck on 016974 78707 during shop hours.
Monday 6th of February 2012