Cronkshaw wool farm becomes valuable learning resource
Joy MacCarthy with some of the fleeces supplied by the British Wool Marketing Board
Joy McCarthy of Cronkshaw Fold Farm in the Alden Valley at Helmshore, Rossendale in east Lancashire – the award winning environmental centre - is developing an exciting new educational feature focusing on sheep, wool, and fibre.
Working in partnership with the British Wool Marketing Board and with the help of local craftspeople, Joy believes the new farm-based wool centre will become a valuable learning resource for children and adults alike.
Cronkshaw Fold Farm, which hosts educational visits throughout the year covering a vast range of environmental issues, has always been keen to promote the important role played by sheep in the landscape. “We are extending and developing the way we can enlighten and educate children and adults about the important role played by sheep in the creation and maintenance of the landscape and to take that on to the next stage by covering all aspects of wool and fibre uses,” says Joy.
A fascinating range of hands-on activities will be an integral part of the new feature at Cronkshaw Fold Farm including many craft skills such as weaving, spinning and felting.“We want everyone to understand how important sheep are to the environment. We have some very imaginative projects planned that we believe will be of immense value in terms of education at all levels.
“As well as our own flock of sheep on the farm we will also be displaying a range of sheep fleeces from some of the 40-plus British sheep breeds to show the variety of wool in terms of texture, quality and uses,” says Joy.
British Wool Marketing Board