Here's the info about the talks and demo programme at the Great British Fibre Festival. We'll be adding details about the lunchtime panels by the end of April
This is your chance to sit down, take a breather, and watch and hear from some truly inspiring people from across the British fibre world. From personal stories and creative journeys to useful tips and ideas, the talks are a lovely way to learn something new and see things from a different perspective. You're bound to leave feeling inspired and full of ideas.
SATURDAY
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10.30-11.45am
MACHINE KNITTING DEMO with Ria Burns
Ria will be demonstrating their knitting machine throughout the day, showing how they create knitted designs using British wool and naturally dyed yarns. Pop along at any point.
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11.30am-12.15pm & 3-3.45pm
SHEARING & WOOL HANDLING DEMO with Suzie Chapple & Peter Hunt
Experience the art of sheep shearing & wool handling close up! In these demos you will see how the fleece is harvested from Peter’s naturally colourful Jacob sheep, through to how the first steps of fleece preparation take place on farm. In the session Suzie will help you gain a little more insight into what shearing day is like on a typical UK farm and help you understand where your fleece comes from, along with the important role our farmers (and sheep!) play in this process. Helping crafters understand these first steps in fibre production will connect them more to the producers and expand their understanding of what questions to ask when it comes to purchasing British Wool. Essential viewing for every fibre crafter!
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12.30-1.30pm PANEL
Our lunchtime panels offer relaxed, open conversations about all things fibre with a panel of industry experts. A chance to hear different perspectives, pick up ideas, and enjoy a good discussion in a friendly setting. More details coming soon!​​
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2.15-3pm
WILD DYES, LOCAL FIBRE: THE SOUTH WEST COLOUR LIBRARY with Ria Burns
Ria Burns’ South West Colour Library celebrates wild natural dyes, landscape and fibre. Through foraged plants and local, the project maps the hues of the South West England Fibreshed, revealing how soil, water and place shape distinctive bioregional palettes and deepen our connection to yarn, land and making.
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2.45-3.45pm
THE LONG HISTORY OF HEMP with Claire O'Sullivan
The talk touches on the use of hemp in ancient history, its arrival to England in Saxon times, the importance of the crop in medieval East Anglia and our project Contemporary Hempery attempting revive the industry for fine hemp textile today.
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3-3.45pm
SHEARING & WOOL HANDLING DEMO with Suzie Chapple & Peter Hunt
See above for details​
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3.15-4.30pm
MACHINE KNITTING DEMO with Ria Burns
See above for details
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SUNDAY
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10-10.30am
HEMP PROCESSING DEMO with Contemporary Hempery
Join Claire and Kitty as they demonstrate the use of hemp processing tools​
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10.30-11am
PREHISTORIC TEXTILES with The Crone Collective
Nettles and flax, and how textiles were produced in prehistoric times. What fibres did people use and what tools and methods of production is there evidence of in the archaeological record? The Crone Collective is a group of spinners and weavers studying and practicing ancient textile production methods.
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11.15am-12pm
SHEARING & WOOL HANDLING DEMO with Suzie Chapple & Peter Hunt
Experience the art of sheep shearing & wool handling close up! In these demos you will see how the fleece is harvested from Peter’s naturally colourful Jacob sheep, through to how the first steps of fleece preparation take place on farm. In the session Suzie will help you gain a little more insight into what shearing day is like on a typical UK farm and help you understand where your fleece comes from, along with the important role our farmers (and sheep!) play in this process. Helping crafters understand these first steps in fibre production will connect them more to the producers and expand their understanding of what questions to ask when it comes to purchasing British Wool. Essential viewing for every fibre crafter!
​
12.30-1.30pm PANEL
Our lunchtime panels offer relaxed, open conversations about all things fibre with a panel of industry experts. A chance to hear different perspectives, pick up ideas, and enjoy a good discussion in a friendly setting. More details coming soon!
​
I1.30-2.30pm
NTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF LEATHER WORK with Red AKA Adam Morrigan
Join Red, Master Craftsman Leather for a one hour intro to the History of Leather Work: micro tannery production, taw hide, raw hide, tan hide and parchment, sources, tools and process of design and creation of leather goods.
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2-2.45pm
THE LONG HISTORY OF HEMP with Claire O'Sullivan
The talk touches on the use of hemp in ancient history, its arrival to England in Saxon times, the importance of the crop in medieval East Anglia and our project Contemporary Hempery attempting revive the industry for fine hemp textile today.
​
3-3.45pm
SHEARING & WOOL HANDLING DEMO with Suzie Chapple & Peter Hunt
See above for details
