Swaledale wool supplies under threat due to demise of hill flocks
Published in regional and national press
A North Yorkshire farmer's wife who sells hand-knitted clothing is worried about future supplies of wool from Swaledale sheep, which she says are fast disappearing from the region's uplands.
Kathleen Hird is finding it increasingly difficult to buy the Swaledale wool she needs to produce the sweaters, scarves and hats she sells at her Swaledale Woollens shop in Muker, near Richmond.
"Ten years ago, we shared rented moorland with seven other farms, but there are now only two of us left," says Mrs Hird. "It seems that hill breeds may be in danger of dying out. Foot-and-mouth disease took a heavy toll on Swaledale breeding flocks, and the low profitability of sheep farming has meant that many have not been replaced."
Although she and her husband, Ken keep 1,000 Swaledale ewes at Green Lane Farm, Whashton, it has proved uneconomical to use home-produced wool, because of the high processing costs involved in handling the relatively small quantities she uses.
Without hardy breeds like the Swaledale to graze the uplands, there is a risk some areas would revert to scrubland, says Mrs Hird. This would have a dramatic effect on the region's landscape.
"People generally visit North Yorkshire to enjoy the open spaces and walk in the hills. But the scenery would look vastly different without sheep, as the grassland would become covered in trees and bushes. That could also restrict access for ramblers."
Spiralling costs, poor returns and price pressure because of cheap imports are posing a real threat to hill farms at the moment, she adds. Fewer young people are choosing a career in agriculture, so shepherding skills are not being passed on by the older generation.
"It will not be easy to reverse this trend," says Mrs Hird. "If it is ever decided that we need more sheep to graze the hills, there may not be enough farmers left with the experience to manage the flocks.
"I think Swaledale wool is fantastic for making garments, but unless hill farms receive more support, I am seriously concerned that the breed may not survive."
Contact Kathleen Hird on 01748 886 251, e-mail mail@swaledalewoollens.co.uk or visit the website, www.swaledalewoollens.co.uk
1. Possible feature ideas:
One of Kathleen's regular knitters is Miss Mary Hall, a 92-year old former housekeeper who produces several hats and pairs of gloves for Swaledale Woollens each month. Another outworker is Ella Stubbs, who is still knitting beautifully at age 82 and has her own small sheep flock. Mrs Stubbs travelled to London earlier this year, after being invited to a 'Women of the Year' luncheon event.
Kathleen also uses the services of a local retired policeman, who specialises in crochet work.
2. About Swaledale Woollens
Muker has been home to Swaledale Woollens since 1975. The shop is continuing the centuries-old Dales tradition of hand-knitting.
Hand-knitting was a much-needed secondary industry for farmers and even leadminers and their families, who needed this second source of income to supplement their meagre earnings. In fact, locally-produced wool was knitted into garments in the North Yorkshire area for several centuries, although the practice started to die out in the mid-nineteenth century. With its team of skilled, local knitters, Swaledale Woollens is pleased to be able to preserve this ancient craft.
The shop sells a wide range of high-quality products, such as sweaters, cardigans, hats, gloves, rugs, hangings, shawls, scarves, slippers and socks. Orders can also be taken online.
Kathleen was an employee at Swaledale Woollens for 10 years, and when the former owners decided to retire, she and her husband, Kenneth decided to buy the business. The couple know that the bulky, hard-wearing wool will protect the animals from the harshest weather. They feel there is nothing better for keeping out the cold, and because wool 'breathes' it feels comfortable.
"The only problem is that Swaledale wool doesn't wear out quickly enough," says Kathleen "I should install a button in the sweaters, so that they eventually self destruct."
Swaledale, Wensleydale and Welsh wool is spun at the only remaining traditional worsted woollen mill in Bradford. It is then dyed in soft country colours and delivered to Muker. Real horn buttons are used on many of the garments.
Kathleen takes the wool to her team of conscientious knitters, collecting it when it has been made into garments.
Swaledale Woollens is open every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day from 10:00am - 5:00pm, but closes at 4:00pm during winter months.
Kathleen Hird is finding it increasingly difficult to buy the Swaledale wool she needs to produce the sweaters, scarves and hats she sells at her Swaledale Woollens shop in Muker, near Richmond.
"Ten years ago, we shared rented moorland with seven other farms, but there are now only two of us left," says Mrs Hird. "It seems that hill breeds may be in danger of dying out. Foot-and-mouth disease took a heavy toll on Swaledale breeding flocks, and the low profitability of sheep farming has meant that many have not been replaced."
Although she and her husband, Ken keep 1,000 Swaledale ewes at Green Lane Farm, Whashton, it has proved uneconomical to use home-produced wool, because of the high processing costs involved in handling the relatively small quantities she uses.
Without hardy breeds like the Swaledale to graze the uplands, there is a risk some areas would revert to scrubland, says Mrs Hird. This would have a dramatic effect on the region's landscape.
"People generally visit North Yorkshire to enjoy the open spaces and walk in the hills. But the scenery would look vastly different without sheep, as the grassland would become covered in trees and bushes. That could also restrict access for ramblers."
Spiralling costs, poor returns and price pressure because of cheap imports are posing a real threat to hill farms at the moment, she adds. Fewer young people are choosing a career in agriculture, so shepherding skills are not being passed on by the older generation.
"It will not be easy to reverse this trend," says Mrs Hird. "If it is ever decided that we need more sheep to graze the hills, there may not be enough farmers left with the experience to manage the flocks.
"I think Swaledale wool is fantastic for making garments, but unless hill farms receive more support, I am seriously concerned that the breed may not survive."
Contact Kathleen Hird on 01748 886 251, e-mail mail@swaledalewoollens.co.uk or visit the website, www.swaledalewoollens.co.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. Possible feature ideas:
One of Kathleen's regular knitters is Miss Mary Hall, a 92-year old former housekeeper who produces several hats and pairs of gloves for Swaledale Woollens each month. Another outworker is Ella Stubbs, who is still knitting beautifully at age 82 and has her own small sheep flock. Mrs Stubbs travelled to London earlier this year, after being invited to a 'Women of the Year' luncheon event.
Kathleen also uses the services of a local retired policeman, who specialises in crochet work.
2. About Swaledale Woollens
Muker has been home to Swaledale Woollens since 1975. The shop is continuing the centuries-old Dales tradition of hand-knitting.
Hand-knitting was a much-needed secondary industry for farmers and even leadminers and their families, who needed this second source of income to supplement their meagre earnings. In fact, locally-produced wool was knitted into garments in the North Yorkshire area for several centuries, although the practice started to die out in the mid-nineteenth century. With its team of skilled, local knitters, Swaledale Woollens is pleased to be able to preserve this ancient craft.
The shop sells a wide range of high-quality products, such as sweaters, cardigans, hats, gloves, rugs, hangings, shawls, scarves, slippers and socks. Orders can also be taken online.
Kathleen was an employee at Swaledale Woollens for 10 years, and when the former owners decided to retire, she and her husband, Kenneth decided to buy the business. The couple know that the bulky, hard-wearing wool will protect the animals from the harshest weather. They feel there is nothing better for keeping out the cold, and because wool 'breathes' it feels comfortable.
"The only problem is that Swaledale wool doesn't wear out quickly enough," says Kathleen "I should install a button in the sweaters, so that they eventually self destruct."
Swaledale, Wensleydale and Welsh wool is spun at the only remaining traditional worsted woollen mill in Bradford. It is then dyed in soft country colours and delivered to Muker. Real horn buttons are used on many of the garments.
Kathleen takes the wool to her team of conscientious knitters, collecting it when it has been made into garments.
Swaledale Woollens is open every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day from 10:00am - 5:00pm, but closes at 4:00pm during winter months.