Campaign for Wool Feedback

As you have seen in my previous posts, I have done some research into the campaign for wool and I have formed a view on the campaign for wool. As part of the gold arts award I needed to share my view on the campaign for wool with others and take a note of their feedback. I have had three responses in total and below is what they had to say.

Meghan

Your post on the Campaign for Wool was certainly thought provoking.  I am very keen that farmers become more aware of what a brilliant product they have and therefore do not burn or dispose of sheep's fleece as if they are worthless.  However, the idea that wool becomes a real luxury product, instead of one available to us all, is concerning.  The wool board pay only about £1 per fleece for the wool they buy to turn into carpets etc.  An artisan wanting a specialist fleece (say for spinning) is prepared to pay a lot more than that, and willingly.  But I don't think we should kid ourselves that all sheep's fleece is worthy of the artisan market.  Only some of them make lovely soft yarn for the clothing industry.  So your comment on being sensible in the price of wool in the future is correct, in a broad sense.  However, I hope that in moving forward, we can find a balance that allows farmers to get a fair price for good fleece, that will still allow artisans and the fashion industry, to afford to make products that are available to every one. 

Thank you for bringing the campaign to others attention.  It is important that we are made more aware of the struggle over wool in this country and the wider community.

May I wish you all the best in your gold arts

Michelle Johnson

Hi Meghan

It's really great that you are wholeheartedly behind the Campaign for Wool and I agree that there is a danger of wool pricing it's self out of the market.  However, given that the National Clip has drastically reduced over a number of years and that there are still a number of farms who burn their clip rather than sell to the wool marketing board, because they can't get a decent price, the more the Campaign is needed to raise wool's profile.  

Maybe more farmers will be induced to rear sheep, not just for meat, but for the fleece in the hope that they will get a decent price for it, then the price/demand will balance at a more realistic level for all.

Best wishes

Alison Daykin

Meghan

I did not have a particular opinion about wool before I read your post.  However, I am aware that many of the clothes I wear have wool in them.  My main problem, and where I agree with you, is in wool becoming so expensive that it can no longer be used in everyday products.  I feel that there are enough things that have been priced out of the market, and beyond people's purses.  Therefore, never having heard of the campaign for wool before reading your post, I am glad I am now aware of the issues, and I hope, like you, that it continues to be a force for good in opening people's eyes to the farmers plight.

I have looked at their website, and am very impressed by it.  Thank you for taking the time to explain it!

Best wishes

Edward Bowling-Johnson

I want to thank all the people who have taken the time to get back to me with their opinion, it is greatly appreciated.

Michelle Johnson has a very interesting website which is definitely worth a look http://www.handwoventextiles.co.uk/

Alison Daykin also has a brilliant website 

 http://alisonyuletextiles.co.uk/

Thats all for now

Meghan