Global influences: Another highlight of Woolfest 2008 will be a chance to see a unique display of Egyptian tapestries from the Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Centre. The Centre is a world renowned for its work with young people and their colourful tapestries will be a great attraction for anyone with an interest in woven textiles. The Chair of the charity that is bringing this collection to the UK is Hilary Weir (Lady Weir OBE) and she will be giving a lecture on the history and work of the Centre during Woolfest.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to see these amazing tapestries,” says June Hall who invited the Centre and Lady Weir to take part. “It is one of several international aspects of Woolfest this year as we also have work from Estonia, Canada and Norway, songs from the Scottish Highlands and a visitor from France, Christine Lang, talking about the French National Flock of Rambouillet Merino sheep.”
Sheep from across the world: For the first time at this year's event, visitors have been invited to make a sheep using natural wool – knitted, crocheted, felted or whatever – and bring it along to Woolfest 2008. Adam Day of Mitchell's Lakeland Livestock Centre will then auction the “flock” in aid of Farm Africa on Saturday afternoon.
News has reached the team of sheep being knitted across the north of England and southern Scotland as well as some as far away as Norway and the USA.
“Lea Stern is travelling to Woolfest from Maryland with a small flock of sheep that have been made in the US from local wool,” explains Cecilia Hewett who has worked on the project with other members of The Wool Clip.
“Lea is going to be judging the sheep ahead of the auction too. She is involved in one of the biggest wool events in the world, The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, which in many ways inspired us to set up Woolfest so we are delighted that she is able to join us this year and hope that her sheep and many others will raise a significant amount for Farm Africa.”
Mitchell's Lakeland Livestock Centre will be home to more than 100 stalls during Woolfest 2008 on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 June.
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