Visit a dyed-in-the-wool rural Cumbrian event

To get a real taste of a dyed-in-the-wool rural English event, take a spin to the Georgian town of Cockermouth, in Cumbria, where one of the country’s most innovative, country celebrations will take place between June 27-28.

Woolfest 2008, at the Mitchell’s Lakeland Livestock Centre, Cockermouth, will be celebrating all things wool, from the animals that provide the fibre, to the end product emerging once the wool is carded, spun and used in a myriad of ways. This combination of exhibition, educational event and live animal shows is full of interest, mixing tradition with bang up-to-date creativity and innovation.

Over 100 impressive stands will provide visitors with tempting prospective purchases, ranging from fleeces and clothing, to unique designer items. There’s no need to worry about carrying items around, as Woolfest has thoughtfully laid on a quirky wool creche!

Woolfest will not only showcase the best of Cumbrian wool products, but also provide a platform for exhibitors from across Northern Europe. Hourly fashion shows will take place as part of three exhibitions – Fashion from Nature, From Sheep to Dress (an Estonian exhibition) and Fashion from Lithuania.

There will also be demonstrations, including Herdwick rope making and a chance to see a historic collection of sock knitting machines.

A fleece sale will be a keenly contested auction, only perhaps surpassed by some fierce bidding for knitted sheep, of all shapes and sizes, donated by their creators to help raise money for Farm Africa.

Younger visitors will relish the opportunity to see various breeds of sheep, including Herdwick, Rough Fell, Shetland, Wensleydale and North Ronaldsay. Those wishing to see an alpaca, an Angora goat and an Angora rabbit will not be disappointed.

Entrance to Woolfest costs £5 for all visitors and the exhibition is open between 10am-5pm both days.

There is also an option to pay extra to attend workshops. Friday 27’s selection comprises Textiles for Children (£25), Inkle Loom Weaving (£10) and Rug Hooking (£25). Saturday 28’s cover Waulking the Tweed in the Scottish Highlands (Gaelic songs and cultural traditions - £25), Spinning with Hand Spindles (£10) and Knitting Without a Pattern (£25).

Lectures can be attended at an additional cost of £3 once admission to Woolfest has been paid. On Friday 27, topics are Worsted, Traditional Norwegian Uses of the Sheep’s Carcass and Short-tailed Sheep among Finno-Urgic tribes.

On Saturday 28, there is a chance to hear lectures on Rambouillet Merinos, the French national flock, Weaving at the Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Centre in Egypt and Dyes and Dyeing – Present and Past.

To experience the social side of knitting, visitors can get their needles at the ready for a Giant Spin In, between 7pm-9pm on the evening of Friday 27 (£3.50). Some tempting Cumbrian fare will also be available between 5-7pm that day, as Woolfest lays on a traditional Cumbrian Tatie Pot Supper for £8.
Travelling to Woolfest will take you through some of England’s most stunning mountain scenery and those wishing to stop over will find many different options in and around Cockermouth.

For more information on Woolfest visit Woolfest.co.uk. For accommodation options around Cockermouth, visit Western-lakedistrict.co.uk.